The spread of COVID-19 is affecting minority communities in a disproportionate fashion.

COVID-19 still makes its presence known. Even as the distribution and review for final approval of Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna vaccines takes place, the pandemic continues to grow. Reaching record highs daily, it has exceeded 17 million cases in the US alone. Slowing the spread of the virus in the northern and central US has seen some improvement recently. However cases in more populated states continue to surge according to the White House coronavirus task force.

Still spreading…again

 “Stabilization in the Northern Plains, Upper Midwest, and some Rocky Mountain and Heartland states” conflicts with “significant deterioration in more populous states (82% of the population), ” said a task force sent a report sent to states.

Last month more than four million people traveled and spent Thanksgiving away from home. This despite a CDC issued warning against traveling for the holiday. With Christmas coming, another surge of cases could result from a repeat occurrence of the same pattern. If people decide to travel and gather in larger groups again, it’s possible any improvement in the number of cases could be lost.

The vaccine is here but what about testing?

Other new developments include the approval and authorization for at home COVID-19 testing. Earlier this month the FDA approved another at-home test from Abbott, the BinaxNOW COVID-19 Card Home Test. The FDA authorized the test for “prescription use at home with self-collected nasal swab samples from individuals ages 15 years or older” when health care providers suspect Covid-19 within the first seven days of symptom onset. Younger children can be tested also. The cost of the new test will be $25, according to Abbott. When interviewed about the new test, FSA Commissioner Stephen Hahn said, “FDA continues to authorize Covid-19 tests that will give more Americans access to greater testing flexibility and options.” 

COVOD-19 can affect anyone. Some reports show though, that Latinos and other people of color are disproportionately affected, amid worsening historical inequities. Recent data shows Latinos bear a heavier burden than other segments of the community. Read about the details here on Salud-America.org

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