UCSF researchers and numerous volunteers recently tested nearly 3,000 residents and workers in San Francisco’s Mission district for the coronavirus. The results released today suggest low-income, Latino men are at high risk for the illness.
Of the total population tested, 62 people were positive for COVID-19. That's 2.1% of those tested. But broken down by race, the numbers are more stark: Latinos made up 44% of the total number of people tested, and 95% of those who tested positive.
A vast majority of people who tested positive — 82% — said they’re suffering economically right now. And an even higher number — 90% — said they cannot work from home because they’re essential frontline workers, primarily in food service or construction.
“The numbers that we saw absolutely highlight and magnify the inequities that exist," said Jon Jacobo, chair of the Latino Task Force on COVID-19, a group of local leaders and nonprofit organizations working on behalf of Latinos across the city.
Of the participants who tested positive, 53 percent reported experiencing no symptoms of COVID-19.
The researchers are also assessing previous infections through antibody testing. Those results will be released in two to four weeks.
— Lesley McClurg (@lesleywmcclurg)