Race-based data suggests that black Ottawans are the most affected by COVID-19

“It’s overwhelming. It’s worrying and it’s urgent,” Hindia Mohamoud, director of the Ottawa Local Immigration Partnership (OLIP), said during a virtual press conference Tuesday in response to the data.

The Ottawa Public Health findings are based on COVID-19 cases diagnosed from the start of the pandemic through August 31. The data does not include any cases of deceased persons or persons living in long-term care, nursing homes, or other congregational settings.

Thirty-eight percent refused to participate in the study or was not met. In all, 1,444 cases were studied.

‘We are not in this together’

As previously reported, Ottawa Public Health found that 63% of the cases studied were people identified as non-white or non-indigenous, even though the different communities make up only 29% of the city’s population. Most were immigrants, and only half of all people with COVID-19 said English or French was their first language.

“We are not in this together. The risk that racialized populations are facing is disproportionate,” said Mohamoud.

WATCH | Mohamoud says people of color are more likely to work in jobs they can’t do from home:

Hindia Mohamoud, director of the Ottawa Local Immigration Partnership, says immigrants and people of color are more likely to do essential jobs they can’t do from home and therefore have a higher risk of being exposed to the virus. 1:12

Among the possible reasons for higher rates in black communities and other non-white communities are the types of occupations people hold, Mohamoud said.

“A large percentage [are] personal support workers, a large percentage [are] health workers … cleaners, Uber drivers, essential workers in general. “

Lack of adequate housing is another factor, he said. Recent immigrants are four times more likely to live in crowded homes, Mohamoud said, and ten times more likely to share a bedroom with at least two other people.

Ottawa Health Medical Officer Dr. Vera Etches said the breed data helps Ottawa Public Health adapt its resources to the communities that need its support most.

“We need to hear community voices to design appropriate responses and interventions to address health barriers,” he said.

Information desks and desks

Community groups have already begun this outreach work, Naini Cloutier, executive director of Somerset West Community Health Center said during a call on Tuesday.

“If a test van shows up unannounced in a newcomer community, no one will use it,” he said. “” Our approach is to engage with communities in advance. “

Dozens of staff members, who speak multiple languages, knocked on “hundreds” of doors, he said, in addition to installing COVID-19 information booths in apartment buildings and talking to motorcyclists at bus stops. Workers distributed thousands of masks and bottles of hand sanitizer, he said.

What’s clear, Cloutier said, is that a “one-size-fits-all” approach doesn’t work to address health inequalities. The same testing strategies that work for suburban homeowners won’t necessarily work in new, low-income communities.

“This was a transformative time for everyone where we saw the gaps are huge for these communities.”

Etches noted at the end of Tuesday’s call that a deeper look at how COVID-19 has affected indigenous Ottawans, those who identify as First Nations, Métis, or Inuit, is expected at a later date.

For more stories about the experiences of black Canadians, from anti-black racism to success stories within the black community, check out Being Black in Canada, a CBC project that Black Canadians can be proud of. You can read more stories here.