The South is likely to have America’s highest death rate from covid-19
It has unusually unhealthy residents and few ICU beds
AMERICA DOES not face one covid-19 crisis, but rather dozens of different ones. A few places have been walloped; others remain unscathed. So far, SARS-CoV-2 has claimed most of its victims in areas where it has spread the fastest. Lockdowns have geographically contained most outbreaks. However, once social distancing is relaxed, the virus will accelerate its spread, and could infect a majority of Americans. If that happens, the places it hits hardest may not be those it struck first. Instead, the vulnerability of local populations will determine its death toll in each region.
This article appeared in the Graphic detail section of the print edition under the headline “Dixie in the crosshairs”
From the April 25th 2020 edition
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