People of Bangladeshi, Indian and Pakistani heritage are almost twice as likely to die with covid-19 than other Scots, new analysis suggests.

Research by National Records of Scotland linking death records with ethnicity on the 2011 census found deaths among the South Asian community were twice as likely to involve the virus than white Scots.

This is even after accounting for differences in age, sex, wealth and place of residence.

In response to the findings, Labour MSP Anas Sarwar, who had raised concerns about a lack of data for Scotland in May, said tailored measures were needed to protect South Asian Scots from covid-19.

This could mirror the approach in the NHS in England, where risk assessments were carried out to determine whether ethnic minority staff should see patients face-to-face.

A total of 34 deaths involving covid-19 among people of South Asian descent have happened between the 12^th March and the 14^th June.

There have been 70 deaths in this group from non-virus related causes over the same period.

Total deaths, as measured by National Records of Scotland, now stand at 4,173 after 17 covid-related deaths were recorded, the tenth weekly reduction in a row.

Anas Sarwar MSP said: “Ever since the research carried out in England was published, it has caused anxiety for Scotland’s ethnic minority communities.

“It’s disappointing it took so long for Scottish data to be made available, but it has evidenced what many expected – covid-19 appears to have disproportionately affected the South Asian ethnic group in Scotland.

“In return for the lifesaving work they are doing on the frontline, Scotland’s ethnic minority communities deserve greater protection.

“That means ensuring risk assessments are carried out, and I believe tailored messaging for Scotland’s BAME population could further improve health outcomes, including the promotion of Vitamin D supplements.”

The findings mirror research from England that suggested a similar higher risk for South Asian communities.

However researchers say the small size of ethnic minority communities in Scotland means they cannot draw a definitive conclusion on the effects of covid on groups including Black and Chinese Scots.

Public Health England’s findings suggested Black people could be four times more at risk of the virus.

Analysis suggests non-White ethnic minority people account for just under 5% of the adult population in Scotland.

Pete Whitehouse, Director of Statistical Services at National Records of Scotland, says the picture for other minority communities is not clear:

“Understanding the impact of how the virus differs by ethnic group is vitally important, however, due to the low number of completed records for deaths involving covid-19 in other minority ethnic groups, it is not possible to produce statistics for these groups.”

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