All Coronavirus Deaths in the City of St. Louis Have Been African Americans So Far

Nationwide — Dr. Fredrick Echols, Director of the St. Louis Department of Health, has confirmed that as of April 8th, all 12 COVID-19 deaths in the city of St. Louis, Missouri were African Americans. This is the first major city in the United States to report such a statistic.

The information was revealed in an exclusive op-ed he wrote published by the St. Louis American. Dr. Echols, who is a medical doctor and just 37-years old, wrote: “Many of the pre-existing conditions that make the coronavirus more dangerous for some people — like heart conditions and diabetes — disproportionately affect the Black community. This is why everyone in the City of St. Louis — especially African Americans — must take precautions against spreading this disease.”

In his op-ed, he also confirmed that the city has two appointment-only COVID-19 testing sites – one in North St. Louis, at 2425 N. Whittier Strett and the other at the 5471 Dr. Martin Luther King Dr. location. The city also has a mobile testing site at 1717 Biddle Street, but patients must call first to register before arriving.

Both Dr. Echols and the city’s top official, Mayor Lyda Krewson, addressed the city via a Facebook Live session, and it was revealed that the city will more than likely have to extend its stay-at-home order into the month of May.

Meanwhile, St. Louis Public Schools are offering to-go meals for children who are out of school, and both the city and county have issued strict orders to halt evictions for the time being.

Up-to-date information is being published daily at the official web site for the city’s Department of Health.