South Asians account for 85 per cent of Blackburn's 'rising tide' of Covid-19 cases

THE south Asian community accounts for about 85 per cent of new coronavirus infections in Blackburn with Darwen, official data has revealed as a “rising tide event” of cases triggered fears of a local lockdown.

The figures were published as a government-backed study confirmed that south Asian communities were the most vulnerable to Covid-19.

Based on a large-scale testing exercise held in May, researchers at Imperial College London estimated Covid-19 prevalence within the Asian community -- “predominantly” south Asians -- to be 0.24 per cent, compared with 0.17 per cent among black groups and 0.13 per cent among white people.

Blackburn public health director Professor Dominic Harrison on Wednesday (15) noted that 97 of the 114 recent cases in the area were south Asian people, who make up about 30 per cent of the local population.

'We have a number of cases rising in specific areas across a significant community but not a single big outbreak like Kirklees or other areas that had a workplace outbreak,” said Harrison.

“What we're seeing from looking at postcode data is a single case being infected then going back to a household and all of that household getting infected.

“And when we look at that data we can see clusters in a part of the town but the clusters are household clusters, and a number of those are causing the rising tide event.

“We know they are mainly in south Asian areas and they're in areas with a high number of terraced houses with high numbers of occupants in the house — four or five or more.”

According to Public Health England figures, Blackburn with Darwen had 47 cases per 100,000 people over the past week, which was “second only to Leicester's rate of 101.3”.

The council quickly announced precautionary measures to prevent a full-blown outbreak. Over the next month, the number of visitors from household to another will be restricted to two in the Lancashire authority area. People have been urged to wear face coverings in enclosed public spaces, and not to hug or shake hands with anyone outside family.

Even people without any symptoms must get tested, said the council, which had launched mass testing in the weekend.

Authorities added that new guidance will be offered to small shops on face coverings, social distancing, hygiene and ventilation to make them “Covid-secure”.

Corner shops were of particular concern, explained Harrison, as many members of the south Asian community often visit them.

The professor appealed to the people to “protect themselves and their loved ones”.

“If we don't, a local lockdown, like in Leicester, becomes a very real possibility,” he cautioned, adding that the number cases “may rise quite dramatically in the next week”.

Council leader Mohammed Khan said: “I can reassure all local residents that the council is working with different agencies and organisations across the borough to help get the message out to everyone that life cannot go back to normal just yet, and we must all make sacrifices to avoid a local lockdown.

“Please continue to do your bit to stick to the rules to protect yourself and your family.”

Health Secretary Matt Hancock lauded the council for “doing a fantastic job”.

“This is exactly the sort of local action we want to see,” he added.

Analysts, meanwhile, raised concerns as data showed that some other areas of England that had high rates of infection -- such as Bradford, Rochdale and Oldham -- also housed considerably large south Asian populations.

Studies and experts have suggested that minority communities, in general, were more susceptible to Covid-19 partly because many of them were more likely to be in deprived areas, living in large households.

They also depend more on public transport, increasing chances of infection.

Reports have also indicated that people from minority backgrounds were more likely to have pre-existing health issues, including vitamin D deficiency.