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Nashville COVID-19 deaths 'highlighting the impact of health disparities in our society'

cdc.gov

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Mike Osborne) -- Metro health officials report Nashville’s African American Community is getting hit hard by coronavirus.

 

Metro pandemic task force chair Dr. Alex Jahangir told reporters on Wednesday that nearly half of Nashville’s COVID-19 deaths have been among black residents, even though they represent just 13 percent of Metro’s total population.

 

To date, 22 Music City residents have died and more than 2100 are virus positive.

 

Tennessee health officials report that 33.5 percent of COVID-19 related deaths statewide are among African-Americans. That's twice the percentage of black residents as a portion of the total state population.

 

Dr. Jahangir told reporters Wednesday the pandemic is “highlighting the impact of health disparities in our society.”

 

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