Eleven percent of African Americans say they were close with someone who has died from the coronavirus, compared with 5% of Americans overall and 4% of white Americans. While recent surveys conducted by the AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research have found that black Americans are especially likely to know someone who had the virus, the new data from the COVID Impact research further details the toll the pandemic has taken on black Americans. Pre-existing conditions and limited access to health care have been identified as reasons black Americans have been particularly susceptible to the virus. Experts and medical professionals say the longstanding effects of structural racism and generational trauma exacted upon black Americans in the centuries following slavery also cannot be ignored. Black people represent about 33% of the states population but account for 53% of the states nearly 3,000 COVID-19 deaths, according to data from the state's health department.

(AP Photo/Rick Bowmer, File)HOUSTON – The road to recovery for many COVID-19 patients is not over once they beat the virus. We are learning more about the lasting impact COVID-19 has for some patients. Adam Stadler, 46, fought COVID-19 and won. I could hardly speak.”Along with having COVID-19, Stadler also suffered a pulmonary embolism. Fatigue and memory issues are one thing they are seeing, but the main issue for some patients is lasting lung damage.