Matt Hancock said the pandemic had "exposed huge disparities in the health of our nation". Reuters
Matt Hancock said the pandemic had "exposed huge disparities in the health of our nation". Reuters
Matt Hancock said the pandemic had "exposed huge disparities in the health of our nation". Reuters
Matt Hancock said the pandemic had "exposed huge disparities in the health of our nation". Reuters

Coronavirus: Black and ethnic minority people more likely to catch Covid-19 and die from it


Jamie Prentis
  • English
  • Arabic

People with a black, Asian or minority ethnic background are at a higher risk of dying in England from Covid-19, an official study has confirmed, but questions remain as to why.

England’s health agency had been forced to deny claims that the report would be delayed so it would not coincide with the widespread anger over the killing of African-American George Floyd in the US.

The report by Public Health England showed people from a Bangladeshi background had about twice the rate of dying than white British people.

Those who are of Chinese, Indian, Pakistani or other Asian ethnicity, and those of Caribbean or African origin, had between 10 and 50 per cent higher risk of death than those in the white British group, the agency said.

This supports previous studies in the UK, Finland and the US.

But the analysis, which was to examine why a disproportionate number of people from the groups died from the virus, “did not account for the effect of occupation, co-morbidities or obesity”.

“Black and ethnic minority people more likely to catch and die from Covid-19," the report said.

"These are important factors because they are associated with the risk of acquiring Covid-19, the risk of dying, or both."

But the report did assess age, gender, geography, deprivation, ethnicity and pre-existing health conditions.

The health agency said the largest disparity in death rates was in age, with people older than 80 being 70 times more likely to die than those under 40.

Men were also more likely to die than women, with death rates higher in deprived and urban areas.

“Men working as security guards, taxi drivers and chauffeurs, bus and coach drivers, chefs, sales and retail assistants, lower-skilled workers in construction and processing plants, and men and women working in social care had significantly high rates of death from Covid-19,” the research found.

UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock told Parliament: "Black lives matter, as do those of the poorest areas of our country.

"People are understandably angry about injustices and as Health Secretary I feel a deep responsibility because this pandemic has exposed huge disparities in the health of our nation.

"This work underlines that being black or from a minority ethnic background is a major risk factor.

"It is very clear that some people are significantly more vulnerable to Covid-19, and this is something I'm determined to understand in full and take action to address."

What's in the deal?

Agreement aims to boost trade by £25.5bn a year in the long run, compared with a total of £42.6bn in 2024

India will slash levies on medical devices, machinery, cosmetics, soft drinks and lamb.

India will also cut automotive tariffs to 10% under a quota from over 100% currently.

Indian employees in the UK will receive three years exemption from social security payments

India expects 99% of exports to benefit from zero duty, raising opportunities for textiles, marine products, footwear and jewellery

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'Nightmare Alley'

Director:Guillermo del Toro

Stars:Bradley Cooper, Cate Blanchett, Rooney Mara

Rating: 3/5

Greatest Royal Rumble results

John Cena pinned Triple H in a singles match

Cedric Alexander retained the WWE Cruiserweight title against Kalisto

Matt Hardy and Bray Wyatt win the Raw Tag Team titles against Cesaro and Sheamus

Jeff Hardy retained the United States title against Jinder Mahal

Bludgeon Brothers retain the SmackDown Tag Team titles against the Usos

Seth Rollins retains the Intercontinental title against The Miz, Finn Balor and Samoa Joe

AJ Styles remains WWE World Heavyweight champion after he and Shinsuke Nakamura are both counted out

The Undertaker beats Rusev in a casket match

Brock Lesnar retains the WWE Universal title against Roman Reigns in a steel cage match

Braun Strowman won the 50-man Royal Rumble by eliminating Big Cass last

THE LOWDOWN

Photograph

Rating: 4/5

Produced by: Poetic License Motion Pictures; RSVP Movies

Director: Ritesh Batra

Cast: Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Sanya Malhotra, Farrukh Jaffar, Deepak Chauhan, Vijay Raaz

Other workplace saving schemes
  • The UAE government announced a retirement savings plan for private and free zone sector employees in 2023.
  • Dubai’s savings retirement scheme for foreign employees working in the emirate’s government and public sector came into effect in 2022.
  • National Bonds unveiled a Golden Pension Scheme in 2022 to help private-sector foreign employees with their financial planning.
  • In April 2021, Hayah Insurance unveiled a workplace savings plan to help UAE employees save for their retirement.
  • Lunate, an Abu Dhabi-based investment manager, has launched a fund that will allow UAE private companies to offer employees investment returns on end-of-service benefits.
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In numbers: China in Dubai

The number of Chinese people living in Dubai: An estimated 200,000

Number of Chinese people in International City: Almost 50,000

Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2018/19: 120,000

Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2010: 20,000

Percentage increase in visitors in eight years: 500 per cent

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Name: HyperSpace
 
Started: 2020
 
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
 
Based: Dubai, UAE
 
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Number of staff: 210 
 
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
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Our legal consultant

Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

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Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km

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Price: From Dh149,900

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Labour dispute

The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.


- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law 

MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW

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The specs
 
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