Rodriguez-Diaz, Carlos E., Guilamo-Ramos, Vincent, Mena, Leandro, Hall, Eric, Honermann, Brian, Crowley, Jeffrey S., Baral, Stefan, Prado, Guillermo J., Marzan-Rodriguez, Melissa, Beyrer, Chris, Sullivan, Patrick S., and Millett, Gregorio A.
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to ascertain COVID-19 transmission dynamics among Latino communities nationally.Methods: We compared predictors of COVID-19 cases and deaths between disproportionally Latino counties (≥17.8% Latino population) and all other counties through May 11, 2020. Adjusted rate ratios (aRRs) were estimated using COVID-19 cases and deaths via zero-inflated binomial regression models.Results: COVID-19 diagnoses rates were greater in Latino counties nationally (90.9 vs. 82.0 per 100,000). In multivariable analysis, COVID-19 cases were greater in Northeastern and Midwestern Latino counties (aRR: 1.42, 95% CI: 1.11-1.84, and aRR: 1.70, 95% CI: 1.57-1.85, respectively). COVID-19 deaths were greater in Midwestern Latino counties (aRR: 1.17, 95% CI: 1.04-1.34). COVID-19 diagnoses were associated with counties with greater monolingual Spanish speakers, employment rates, heart disease deaths, less social distancing, and days since the first reported case. COVID-19 deaths were associated with household occupancy density, air pollution, employment, days since the first reported case, and age (fewer <35 yo).Conclusions: COVID-19 risks and deaths among Latino populations differ by region. Structural factors place Latino populations and particularly monolingual Spanish speakers at elevated risk for COVID-19 acquisition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]