COMMUNITIES SECRETARY Robert Jenrick has said the government understands the anxiety that people from black and minority ethnic (BAME) communities feel about the impact that coronavirus appears to be having. 

At yesterday’s Downing St press briefing, Jenrick confirmed that the NHS and Public Health will launch at inquiry into what he said was the “disproportionate impact of the virus on BAME communities in the UK”.

Public Health England will also start recording coronavirus cases and deaths by ethnicity.

However, when asked by The Voice about the precise form the inquiry would take, Steve Powis National Medical Director for NHS England was not able to confirm who would be leading the inquiry or when it was expected to take place. 

A recent report from the Intensive Care National Audit and Research Centre, thought to be the first of its  kind in the world, examined  the ethnic breakdown of cases of the virus.

It found that  35% of almost 2,000 patients with COVID-19 were from a BAME background, despite forming only 13% of the UK population. 

Fourteen per cent of those with the most serious cases were Asian and the same proportion were black, according to the study.

Disproportionate impact

Prior to yesterday’s announcement, several prominent BAME community activists, local councillors and MPs had urged the government to examine why the disease was having a disproportionate impact.

Among those who have organised initiatives aimed at examining the issue is Birmingham councillor Paulette Hamilton.

The city council’s cabinet member for health and social care, has organised an emergency meeting to look into why so many BAME people in the city had been affected.

We’re acutely aware of the anxiety within certain communities. As Communities Secretary that is extremely important to me.

Robert Jenrick, communities secretary

She said: “I have cried many times this past week, learning of so many people whose lives have been taken by this virus. We need to understand what is going on better.There is a lot of fear in our communities (across Birmingham). They don’t understand why they are dying more than others.”

Anxiety

Responding to such concerns Jenrick said: “We’re very concerned about the apparent disproportionate impact of the virus on black and minority ethnic communities and its right that the review commissioned by the Chief Medical Officer happens as swiftly  as possible.

“We’re acutely aware of the anxiety within certain communities. As Communities Secretary that is extremely important to me. We’re trying to reach all communities across the country to hear their concerns as we formulate particular policies.”  

Undocumented migrants

The Voice also asked the communities secretary about concerns over undocumented migrants dying from coronavirus symptoms because they were too afraid to seek medical help because of fears of being evicted, losing employment or being deported. 

Earlier this week, a cross party group of 60 MPs and charities wrote to health secretary Matt Hancock urging the government to bring  an immediate end to NHS immigration checks and charging migrants for healthcare.

Responding to the move Jenrick said: “I have heard a number of representations from those people who currently do not have recourse to public funds and have come to this country in an undocumented way from another country.

“The government’s policy on that hasn’t changed but there is the ability for local councils to make sensible decisions based on the risk to life that there may be in a small number of cases.”

If you have questions related to coronavirus and want to take part in the Birmingham meeting please e mail: [email protected]