Boston Mayor Marty Walsh on Wednesday released detailed racial and ethnic data on coronavirus deaths in the city that he said shows how minorities in Boston are suffering a disproportionate impact from the pandemic.
The new Boston data — which Walsh said will now be updated daily — shows that of 84 deaths in Boston so far, 33 percent were white and 29 percent were black. White people make up about half the population of Boston, and blacks make up about 25 percent. The data on Hispanics appears less disparate — they make up about 20 percent of the city population and 14 percent of the deaths. The mayor also said 15 percent of the deaths were Asians, who make up just under 10 percent of the city's population.
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The city has been releasing racial data on known cases, which reflects similar disparities: African-Americans account for 41 percent of confirmed cases for which racial information is available. Whites make up about 28 percent of known cases; Hispanics make up about about 17 percent of the cases where race is known. The city only has racial and ethnic data on about two-thirds of its 4,300 confirmed coronavirus cases.
"More and more the data shows us who's being hit the hardest," Walsh said. "All across the country the coronavirus is shining a light on longstanding health inequities."
Wednesday is also "One Boston Day," marking the seventh anniversary of the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing. Walsh said he hoped the day would mark a turning point in the city's battle against the virus. "This is a One Boston moment," Walsh said. "We're asking people to stand together by standing apart," in hopes of stemming the virus as cases begin to peak.
