Other groups of workers at particular risk
[ch 1: page 9]PHE’s August 2020 report, Disparities in the risk and outcomes of COVID-19, found that among people already diagnosed with COVID-19, people who were 80 or older were 70 times more likely to die than those under 40. The risk of dying among those diagnosed with COVID-19 was also higher: in males than females; in those living in the more deprived areas than those living in the least deprived; and in those in Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) groups than in White ethnic groups.
It found the risk was also higher for people working in a range of caring occupations including social care and nursing auxiliaries and assistants; taxi and minicab drivers and chauffeurs; security guards; and those working in care homes.
As a result, unions have called on employers to carry out equality risk assessments and equality impact assessments as well as risk assessments (see Chapter 2).
Public Health England, Disparities in the risk and outcomes of COVID-19 (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/908434/Disparities_in_the_risk_and_outcomes_of_COVID_August_2020_update.pdf)