Las Vegas Sun

March 29, 2024

Southern Nevada officials taking steps to help Hispanics in COVID-19 crisis

Hispanic Community COVID-19

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UMC Infectious Disease Physician Dr. Luis Medina-Garcia speaks during a Clark County COVID-19 update press conference, Tuesday, June 30, 2020.

Alyssa Cortes lost her uncle six days ago to COVID-19. It was an abrupt loss that has devastated her family.

“When he was admitted to the hospital, things spiraled out of control,” she said. “It attacked his lungs and other critical organs.”

At a joint press conference with Southern Nevada leaders and health officials, Cortes urged Nevadans to do what is necessary to protect one another from the virus — especially in the Hispanic community, where COVID-19 cases are twice as prevalent compared with non-Hispanic whites, according to state health district data.

“Considering his young age of 41 and the birth of his newborn baby, it has been an especially difficult time for our family,” Cortes said. “We can only hope that his story will encourage others to take the steps necessary to prevent the spread and deaths that come from COVID-19.”

Local leaders today launched the initiative, “Esta En Tus Manos” (“It’s in your hands”), which includes a website that will act as a resource guide for testing locations, health care facilities and wraparound services for those in need.

“It is an initiative to educate everyone, but in particular the Hispanic community, about the alarming and devastating rates of COVID-19 here in Las Vegas that are disproportionately impacting our Latino community,” said Olivia Diaz, Las Vegas councilwoman for Ward 3. “There are things we all can do to limit the spread and ensure we are healthy and well.”

Diaz stressed that residents shouldn’t be afraid to get tested.

“We want to make sure you have all the resources you need at your fingertips, and you’re going to get that at this website,” she said.

Clark County Commissioner Tick Segerblom said local leaders have been working to make testing more widespread and ubiquitous for anyone who wants a test.

Dr. Fermin Leguen, acting District Health Officer of the health district, said one reason why the Hispanic community is seeing a rise in cases may be due in part to that particular segment of the community coming from a lower socioeconomic background. Leguen said Latinos are also more likely to work in industries that require more interaction with the public, such as grocery stores and the health care industry.

Leguen noted that in addition to the Hispanic community, the increase in cases has also been more prevalent in the younger population, with the bulk of new cases coming in those between 18 and 49 years of age.

Leguen attributed the rise to the fact that younger people tend to be more socially active and are more likely to be working or out in public spaces.

Despite the increase in cases in this group, there has yet to be a consistent increase in hospitalizations or deaths in Clark County, said Leguen, who inferred that this is because older people tend to be the ones with more severe symptoms.

Cortes said she hopes the community will listen to her story and understand that young people can also be vulnerable.

“The saddest thing for me is that he left behind four children that will no longer have their father in their life, and his wife is also suffering greatly,” she said.

Luis Medina-Garcia, an infectious disease specialist with University Medical Center, encouraged citizens to continue the fight against the virus as cases continue to rise.

“Wearing a mask has been something that’s been an issue of contention nationally, and it’s discouraging as a physician to see a lot of people fight that requirement,” he said. “I find it not a limitation of your liberties, but a silent respect to your fellow citizens. The mask that I wear doesn’t protect me so much as it protects those around me.”

With the looming Fourth of July celebrations, Clark County Commission Chairwoman Marilyn Kirkpatrick asked citizens to keep in mind social distancing measures during festivities.

“What I don’t want to see this weekend is thousands of people going out to see fireworks, standing on top of each other, conversing, having a great time, because that’s not going to be beneficial to our community for the long-term,” she said.