Indians, non-whites in UK more at Covid-19 risk: Survey

Over 80 medical staff, including Indian-origin doctors, have passed away in the UK in recent days and weeks. According to NHS England, the dead include 492 people categorised as ‘British Indian’, while data shows 35% people in critical care in hospitals are non-white.

A survey of over 2000 doctors, nurses and other healthcare workers revealed on Friday suggests that being a member of the non-white minority in the UK itself is an independent risk factor, complementing similar recent data that has prompted an inquiry by the Boris Johnson government.

The majority (66%) of the survey respondents were hospital doctors, with primary care practitioners forming the second large group (24%). (AP)

The survey by the British Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (Bapio) was held over a week from April 14. It said the results confirm that irrespective of having comorbidities (underlying health conditions), being a non-white individual – called BAME (black and minority ethnic) – is in itself a significant independent risk factor to contract coronavirus.

Over 80 medical staff, including Indian-origin doctors, have passed away in the UK in recent days and weeks. According to NHS England, the dead include 492 people categorised as ‘British Indian’, while data shows 35% people in critical care in hospitals are non-white.

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Indranil Chakravorty of Bapio said: “This is the largest survey of its kind that involves BAME healthcare workers from all backgrounds. And the results are no surprise, that being of BAME background is a major risk factor for contracting the virus.”

“Also testing was not available to a sizeable number so they may have been isolating needlessly, as well as the fact that the lack of appropriate PPEs remains a recurring issue for our frontline staff”.

The majority (66%) of the survey respondents were hospital doctors, with primary care practitioners forming the second large group (24%). As many as 86% came from BAME backgrounds, with south Asians forming the bulk (75%).

The respondents were mainly in the ages of 40-60, and a significant number (30%) declared at least one comorbidity. Nearly 4% were Covid-19 positive, and another 15% were isolating and not available to work because they were symptomatic and had not been tested.

“Our survey found that only 20% of the 2003 respondents had PPEs that were fit for purpose, and the majority (70%) could not comply with social distancing in their clinical areas of work”, Bapio said.