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Who is dying of COVID-19 in Orange County? Breakdown by ethnicity, preexisting conditions

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — In June, 43% of the people who have tested positive for COVID-19 in Orange County are between 20 and 29 years old. But health officials said 68% of the people who have died are over 70.

Orange County Health Officer Dr. Raul Pino said people having to be hospitalized are much younger than the county saw during the first wave.

“Instead of seeing people in their 70s and 80s, they’re seeing people in their 40s and 50s,” Pino said.

“Coronavirus

READ: Florida reports second day of 5,000+ new COVID-19 cases, including record-high increase in Orange County

Channel 9 examined the data of who is dying from the virus in Orange County, breaking it down by ethnicity and preexisting conditions, if any.

Here's a look at some of the most common underlying health conditions contributing to COVID-19 deaths in Orange County:

  • 67% had hypertension.
  • 51% had diabetes.
  • 36% were current or former smokers.
  • 29% had cardiac disease.
  • 24% had chronic lung disease.
  • 4% had no prior medical issues.

Here’s the breakdown of deaths by race and ethnicity:

  • 44% have been White.
  • 25% have been Black.
  • 40% have been Hispanic.

READ: Coronavirus: Where COVID-19 testing is available in Central Florida

Orange County Health Officer Dr. Raul Pino said about half of the people testing positive for the virus reported fever and a dry cough. He said 21% had no symptoms.

So far this week alone, the county has reported 2,000 more cases of the virus.

Sarah Wilson

Sarah Wilson, WFTV.com

Sarah Wilson joined WFTV Channel 9 in 2018 as a digital producer after working as an award-winning newspaper reporter for nearly a decade in various communities across Central Florida.