Chicagoland Latino Community on track to lead in COVID-19 Deaths

CHICAGO - April 14, 2020 - PRLog -- Recent data analysis by Computer Forensics & Electronic Medical Records expert Lee Neubecker of Enigma Forensics shows some troubling trends in COVID-19 distribution amongst the greater Chicagoland area. The New York City Latino Community numbers at 29 percent of the population but as of a week ago, they accounted for 34 percent of deaths related to COVID-19. Similarly, Chicagoland Latinos are on a fast clip to experience similar devastation from the outbreak.

Analysis of the top fastest growth Zip Codes that all have experienced an average Coronavirus confirmed positive growth rate at or in excess of 9% led us to cross reference the population. Of those fastest growing 10 Zip Codes from 4/11/20 to 4/13/20, the combined population is 56% majority Hispanic. This finding doesn't negate that the black community is being devastated by this pandemic in greater numbers at present in Chicago, but does suggest transmission rates may be greater within the Hispanic community at present.

Latest Full Data: https://enigmaforensics.com/fastest-coronavirus-growth-rate-by-zip-code-in-illinois/

Rank	Zip Code	Neighborhood (Data as of 4/13/20)	Growth Rate	White	Black or African American	Hispanic	Other
1	60641	Chicago - Portage Park	22%	26,985	1,741	38,982	4,311
2	60435	Joliet - Cathedral area	19%	27,579	6,359	12,235	2,000
3	60626	Chicago - West Rogers Park, Rogers Park, Edgewater	18%	20,977	11,758	11,275	5,189
4	60639	Chicago - Belmont Cragin	18%	5,637	13,518	71,611	1,383
5	60638	Chicago - Bedford Park	14%	29,068	1,618	25,125	986
6	60647	Chicago - Hermosa, Logan Square	14%	34,316	4,996	44,262	3,621
7	60632	Chicago - Brighton Park	14%	9,111	1,040	76,854	4,439
8	60634	Chicago - Dunning	14%	42,420	1,041	26,241	3,746
9	60625	Chicago - Lincoln Square	13%	34,102	3,205	29,236	12,427
10	60804	Cicero	12%	7,023	2,951	74,029	674
		Total for Top 19 Fastest Growing Zip Codes	15.6%	237,218 32%	48,227 7%	409,850 56%	38,776 5%

Specific outreach to the black community has shown positive outcomes in reducing COVID-19 risk in those communities, and this should be replicated elsewhere. These communities with rapidly growing Coronavirus cases need to take immediate steps to ensure workers are being provided appropriate training, protective equipment and rapid testing. Many businesses in economically struggling communities are failing to protect their workers and customers and this needs to change promptly.

"Mayor Lori Lightfoot has shown great creativity in using social media and humor to educate Chicago at large about the gravity of the virus.  That same creative but honest approach targeting the Latino communities might help get the word out and slow the spread rate of the virus in these hot spot areas," said Lee Neubecker.

The CDC should be releasing demographic information by zip code to help local governments best allocate the resources needed for communities being disproportionately impacted by this outbreak. The full blog post and data are available here:

https://enigmaforensics.com/blog/coronavirus-case-growth-highest-in-hispanic-communities/