| Greenville News
The coronavirus is killing more elderly people, more men and more blacks in South Carolina, according to data released Wednesday night by the state Department of Health and Environmental Control.
South Carolina’s demographic disparity is similar to that reported elsewhere in the country.
Wednesday marked the highest single number of coronavirus-related deaths reported so far in South Carolina. Health officials have announced 12 additional deaths, bringing the total to 63 people.
DHEC’s release of demographic information about the dead came a day after The Greenville News and Independent Mail reported that even some county coroners were having trouble accessing demographic data on coronavirus deaths.
More: Who died of coronavirus in South Carolina? Finding the answer is a challenge
According to data released Wednesday, 75% are 71 or older, with 40% in the 71 to 80 age range. Ages range from 35 to 98 years, with a median of 76 years.
The United States Census reports that only 17% of the population is 65 years or older.
Men are also dying from respiratory viruses at a disproportionately high rate. Men account for 65% of deaths, but only 49% of the state’s population.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has not provided a breakdown of national coronavirus numbers by gender, but there are signs that men appear to be dying more around the world. CNN reports that in Italy, the male mortality rate appears to be double that of the female, in all age groups. A similar disparity has also been reported in New York City, according to The New York Times.
More: African Americans in SC dying from coronavirus infections at a disproportionately high rate
The virus is also killing blacks in South Carolina at a higher price, a national trend that has sparked calls from lawmakers and community leaders to release more demographic data.
Blacks are responsible for at least 46% of deaths in South Carolina, despite representing only about 27% of the population.
A CDC spokesman told USA Today on Tuesday that he is collecting racial data provided by the states and that the organization would release information about COVID-19 hospitalizations this week, including data on race and ethnicity.