Death rate among black and Asian Brits is more than 2.5 TIMES higher than that of the white population, reveals stark analysis by Institute of Fiscal Studies
Black and Asian Britons are two-and-a-half times more likely to die from coronavirus than white people, an analysis of NHS records has suggested.
An Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) report compared the number of hospital deaths in the NHS during the COVID-19 crisis against ethnicity.
It did not reveal if people of BAME backgrounds were more likely to catch the deadly virus in the first place, it only suggested their risk of death was greater.
Data from NHS intensive care units also shows BAME populations face a greater risk of suffering complications than white Britons.
The report by the IFS - a respected think-tank - showed the death rate among Black African Brits was three times higher than that of the white British population.
And it also revealed fatalities among Pakistanis were 2.7 times higher, and for people of Black Caribbean heritage the death rate was 1.8 times greater.
Official figures show many minority groups live disproportionately in cities such as London and Birmingham, which have recorded more COVID-19 cases.
But most ethnic minorities are also younger on average than the general population, which should make them less vulnerable, the IFS said.
Its coronavirus report is the first to strip out age, gender and geography and show that they do not explain the disparities in death rates between ethnic groups.
It comes as a separate report today revealed that people living in the poorest parts of England and Wales are dying from coronavirus at more than double the rate of those in affluent areas.
Office for National Statistics figures showed the most deprived regions have suffered 55 deaths per 100,000 people, compared with 25 deaths in the wealthiest areas.
Far higher numbers of people from black and Asian backgrounds have died from COVID-19 per 100,000 people than white Britons, despite making up much less of the overall population. 'Other whites' include Gypsy and Irish Travellers, and 'other ethnic group' includes Arabs
The IFS report found Pakistani, Indian and black African men are respectively 90 per cent, 150 per cent and 310 per cent more likely to work in healthcare than white British men
People living in the poorest parts of England and Wales are dying from coronavirus at more than double the rate of those in affluent areas, shocking figures show
The IFS said there was 'unlikely' to be a single explanation for the higher fatalities, but noted that minorities were more likely to be key workers.
Of all working-age Black Africans, a third are employed in these roles – 50 per cent more than the white British population, according to the think-tank.
Meanwhile Pakistani, Indian and Black African men are 90 per cent, 150 per cent and 310 per cent -more likely to work in healthcare than white British men, respectively.
Hospital workers are vulnerable to the virus because they are repeatedly exposed to higher doses of the bug than the general public.
The IFS adds that two-thirds of Bangladeshi men over the age of 60 have a long-term health condition that would put them at particular risk from infection
Another possible factor behind disproportionately high death rates could be underlying health problems, the report said.
Two-thirds of Bangladeshi men over aged 60 have a long-term condition that would put them at particular risk from infection.
Ross Warwick, a research economist at IFS and co-author of the report, said: 'When you account for the fact that most minority groups are relatively young overall, the number of deaths looks disproportionate in most ethnic minority groups.
'There is unlikely to be a single explanation here and different factors may be more important for different groups.
'For instance, while black Africans are particularly likely to be employed in key worker roles which might put them at risk, older Bangladeshis appear vulnerable on the basis of underlying health conditions.'
Professor Tim Cook, honorary professor in anaesthesia at the University of Bristol, said: 'The disproportionately high number of BAME health and social care workers dying from Covid-19 is striking, so I welcome news that NHS England has recommended these individuals to be identified as potentially at greater risk.
'Our analysis showed 60 per cent of healthcare workers who have died from coronavirus were BAME individuals.'
The Royal College of Surgeons has said NHS workers from black or ethnic minority groups should be removed from the frontline as more evidence points to them being more vulnerable to the virus.
Professor Neil Mortensen, president-elect of the RCS, said until experts work out why almost two-thirds of NHS staff killed by Covid-19 are from BAME groups they should be shielded.
It came as new guidance sent by NHS England to hospitals nationwide asked that BAME staff are 'risk-assessed' on a 'precautionary basis' and potentially taken out of high risk areas if they are considered 'vulnerable'. They should also get priority access to PPE.
Professor Mortensen has admitted that while he backed the new advice from NHS England - it would inevitably put pressure on other staff.
He told Sky News today: 'They [BAME people] are a particularly at-risk group. Like other at-risk groups, I think they need to not be put in positions where they're not quite so at risk.
'We don't really quite know why yet, but it's important they are removed from - if you like - from danger.'
Figures have shown 63 per cent of the 100-plus health and social care workers who have died from coronavirus were BAME.
The first ten doctors in the UK to die from coronavirus were all of BAME background, with many born overseas.
And almost 50 per cent of all NHS medic and one in five of the health service's entire 1.3million staff are from ethnic minorities.
But in big cities such as London, Birmingham and Manchester some trusts have approaching half of all workers from these groups, and removing many of them from their roles would put huge strain on the rest of the workforce.
BAME staff and their families will also be able to access testing within the first five days of developing any symptoms, and any who require an FFP3 mask - which offers greater protection than a normal surgical mask - will be supported to be fit-tested as soon as possible.
And in terms of patients an Imperial College study found that 40 per cent of Covid-19 patients in three London hospitals were from ethnic minorities - when in the UK 19.5 per cent of the population is from those groups.
BAME patients also made up 16 per cent of all virus hospital deaths in England up to April 21.
Data from the Intensive Care National Audit and Research Centre has suggested 34.5 per cent of critically ill Covid-19 patients have BAME backgrounds.
This is despite just 10.8 per cent of the population being black or Asian, according to the 2011 census.
The Government has since launched an urgent inquiry into the alarming statistics.
Today's letter from NHS England urges health trusts to make 'appropriate arrangements', which could include moving those from ethnic minority backgrounds away from the front line to non-patient facing roles.
The official guidance says UK data is showing these workers are being 'disproportionately affected by Covid-19'.
NHS chief executive Sir Simon Stevens said Public Health England had been asked by the Department for Health and Social Care to look into the issue.
He added: 'In advance of their report and guidance, on a precautionary basis we recommend employers should risk assess staff at a potentially greater risk and make appropriate arrangements accordingly.'
It could mean BAME health workers being relocated to different roles within the NHS or ensuring they are adequately fitted with personal protective equipment (PPE).
The Department of Health and Social Care announced on April 16 that a review would take place to look into why BAME people were being affected disproportionately.
Recently, bosses at Somerset NHS Foundation Trust wrote to BAME employees establishing how they can be supported during the pandemic.
The letter encouraged staff to ensure they are properly fitted with appropriate PPE and to access testing for themselves and family members.
Peter Lewis, chief executive at Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, said: 'We recognise how worrying it is at the moment for our colleagues and we want to provide them with as much support as we can.
'Our BAME colleagues make a significant contribution to our Trust and the care we provide to patients. We are grateful for their ongoing commitment.'
Yvonne Coghill, director of NHS England's workforce race equality standard unit, tweeted 'many should follow the lead of Somerset FT,' describing the trust as 'compassionate' with strong leadership.
The Government has launched an inquiry into the 'devastating disparity' which means BAME patients are at disproportionately high risk of becoming critically ill with coronavirus.
Scientists say the disparity may be because they are more likely to suffer from conditions including diabetes and high blood pressure.
Social and demographic factors also play a role, as BAME people are more likely to live in densely populated areas which may make social distancing harder.
The British Medical Association (BMA) also suggested that BAME doctors may feel less able to raise concerns about inadequate personal protective equipment (PPE), as they report higher levels of bullying and harassment in the workplace.
Dr Chaand Nagpaul, BMA chairman, said a survey showed doctors from ethnic minorities were three times more likely to feel pressured to treat patients without adequate PPE.
He said: 'These figures are staggering. They are worrying and disturbing. In fact these doctors have come from other parts of the world to provide vital care and save other people's lives in our health service and now they have sadly paid the ultimate sacrifice.'
Dr Habib Naqvi, the NHS director for workforce race and equality, said: 'The fact that a high number of black and minority ethnic staff are dying from this pandemic is a worry for us.'
Professor Chris Whitty, England's chief medical officer, said: 'It's critical that we find out which groups are most at risk so we can help to protect them.'
A Department of Health spokesman said: 'We have commissioned work from Public Health England to understand the different factors that may influence the way someone is affected by this virus.'
Death rate among black and Asian Brits is more than 2.5 TIMES higher than that of the white population, reveals stark analysis by Institute of Fiscal Studies
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