Covid deaths 300% higher among Arab citizens of Israel, report finds

The Arab community in Israel has recorded the highest death rates due to complications associated with the coronavirus infections, the Israeli Health Ministry said.

The ministry’s equality report issued yesterday showed that although the coronavirus infection rate in Arab communities was not higher than the general public, the death rate was the highest.

The death rate due to coronavirus infections among low income groups in Israel was five times higher than that of those with higher incomes; while Arab citizens of Israel recorded the highest death rate of all groups.

On average, Arabs who died of the disease were aged 73 years old, while those of the Haredi community were 78 years old, whilst among other communities this increased to 81 years.

Residents of low income neighbourhood underwent fewer tests, but the percentage of positive results was higher compared to the rest of the population.

The report quoted the Israeli Minister of Health, Nitzan Horowitz, as saying that “reducing inequality is a national interest of the first degree”.

“The coronavirus crisis has once again demonstrated that health gaps are not only a moral failure, but an issue with severe consequences that target every single citizen of Israel,” he added.

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