Latino community hit hard by COVID-19, officials say

Officials say about one-fourth of cases in Lane County are from the Latino community, though that statistic could be skewed.

Some minority groups are being hit hard by cornonavirus both on the health and economic fronts.

As kezi 9 news reporter michael sevren shows -- a recent survey found many of lane county's spanish speaking population is struggling to get by.

David saez is the executive director for the non-profit centro latino americano.

He says a recent survey found that many latino and immigrant families in lane county are worried about there basic needs.

Sot: having funding rent having funding food get access to fodd making sure they can pay their bills.

While the coronavirus doesn't care if you're black or white, leaders at lane county public health say people of color are being dis proportionally impacted by the virus.

Eric richardson the executive director at the naacp says he's not surprised by the disparity.

Sot: african americans in the united state are very much urban population and so we are in the more denser cities stand up richardson tells me people of color are more likey to have underlying health conditions compared to whites.

He says thats because of a lack of health care and other important services.

Those underlying health conditions can cause the coronavirus to be more lethal sot: some of them are working in areas that are essential.

There is a great opportunity for infection and diseases to spread.

Nat sound - speaking spanish lane county has found ways to accommodate spanish speakers get the information they need about covid-19.

Like this question and answer session that was streamed online.

They say they're also making sure minority groups get the resources they need.

Sot the united states is made up of many diverse people and we all need to be healthy for our nation to be healthy .

So we can all get through this together.

In eugene i'm michael sevren kezi 9 news