Pacific Islanders in Oregon have highest rate of COVID-19

Salem, OREGON — Pacific Islanders in Oregon are being disproportionately affected by the coronavirus pandemic, according to new data released this week.

This week’s data report from the Oregon Health Authority found that Pacific Islanders have 13.1 cases per 10,000 residents, a much higher rate than any other racial or ethnic group. Statewide, Oregon’s COVID-19 infection rate is 4.6 cases per 10,000 residents.

Pacific Islanders make up a relatively small percentage of Oregon’s population, so the rate reflects the number of confirmed cases in relation to the size of the state’s Pacific Islander community.

There are 22 confirmed COVID-19 cases involving Pacific Islanders in Oregon. That’s still just 1.1% of the total 1,928 confirmed cases in the state as of April 21.

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