HISTORIC racism has contributed to a high number of black and ethnic minority (BAME) people dying from coronavirus, according to a leaked report.

Public Health England’s (PHE) report says that “historic racism and poorer experiences of healthcare or at work” could result in BAME groups being reluctant to seek care or speak up about concerns over a lack of personal protective equipment (PPE). 

The leak, revealed by the BBC on Saturday, comes after the publication of a PHE review earlier this month confirming that BAME communities are more at risk from the virus.