Racial demographics and COVID-19 confirmed cases and deaths: a correlational analysis of 2886 US counties

Abstract Background Recent news reports state that racial minority groups, such as African–Americans, are experiencing a greater COVID-19 burden, as measured by confirmed cases and deaths. Limited racial data is available on a national level. Methods We conducted the first nationwide analysis to examine COVID-19 and race on a county level. We obtained datasets on COVID-19 cases and deaths, and racial population totals, by US county. We examined if correlations exist between the racial percentages and percentages of confirmed COVID-19 cases and deaths by county. Results A positive correlation existed between percentages of African–Americans living in a county and who have COVID-19 (r = 0.254, P