Ethnicity and COVID-19: epidemiology and control measures

Our study shows that people with a migration background in the Netherlands are disproportionately affected by the coronavirus. In these population groups (during the first and second waves), the number of deaths due to COVID-19 per 100,000 people was 1.7 times higher than in the population of Dutch origin. During the second wave, infections in these groups were two to four times higher. They were also admitted to hospital relatively more often. However, once admitted, the health outcomes (ICU admissions, mortality) were comparable for different groups. We also showed that willingness to vaccinate at the beginning of 2021 was lower among groups with a migration background. Finally, these groups have been hit harder by the preventive measures, in terms of an increase in unhealthy behavior, reduced access to non-COVID care, and a decrease in mental health.