DETROIT (WXYZ) — Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan had sobering words as the coronavirus death toll continues to rise.
"We're going to lose a lot of our neighbors in the coming days," said Duggan during a news conference. "It's going to get worse before it gets better."
The state has reported nearly 5,500 positive COVID-19 cases in Detroit, and there are a staggering 222 deaths in the city.
"We're at a time where we may be bending the curve," Duggan said. "But we are at a very dangerous time."
African Americans are disproportionately impacted by the coronavirus. The state collects and releases data on race.
Reverend Charles C. Adams of Hartford Memorial Baptist Church is concerned about the disproportionate impact the virus is having on the black community.
"If you don't have health care you're not going to be able to get the kind of treatment for your underlying conditions, which makes you more vulnerable to the virus," Pastor Adams said.
The White House is expected to release demographic numbers on the impact of the virus in the coming days.
"Health disparities have always existed for the African American community, but here again with the crisis how it's shining a bright light on how unacceptable that is," said NIAID Director Dr. Anthony Fauci. "When you have a situation like the Coronavirus they are suffering disproportionately."
Listen to how Dr. Fauci describes the health disparities in the Black community https://t.co/DnFYbaYhQu
— Syma Chowdhry (@SymaChowdhry) April 8, 2020
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