What has the reach of COVID-19 looked like in different South Florida Counties?
Varying population groups are affected by COVID-19 differently in South Florida counties Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach, according to data from the Florida Department of Health.
Although there are more males than females within the 25-34 age group in Miami-Dade County, females have a higher likelihood of testing positive. This also applies to Palm Beach County where the population of that age range is also predominantly men.
In Broward, the only county of the three with a larger proportion of women to men within that age range, saw higher amounts of men testing positive to COVID.
As far as the demographics of those that have died in the three counties, Broward has had a younger population of deaths compared to those in Miami died. The outliers in both counties also show that much younger people have died in these counties, compared to Palm Beach that had the oldest age group.
Mary Jo Trepka, professor at Florida International University and epidemiologist, said that groups that have had the most exposure were the ones that were performing essential jobs and were unable to work from home.
"Another issue is that in some of the poor neighborhoods there are more people living in one household, making it harder for someone who has COVID to effectively isolate," said Trepka. "Nationally, people have reported that African Americans and some Hispanic communities there are some conditions that are more prevalent, and puts people at risk for more severe COVID."
