A researcher modelling Covid-19 death rates for different ethnicities estimates 600 Māori and over 900 Pasifika would die in the Counties Manukau district alone if the disease was allowed run rampant.
Research published in the New Zealand Medical Journal today, which is a continuation of study findings first published in April, estimates the rate of Maori deaths would be double that non-Māori.
The report's co-author Andrew Sporle says they also found Māori and Pacific are also more likely to be hospitalised with the virus due to poorer health and are more likely to get infected because of overcrowded housing.
Cabinet will decide today whether or not to ease Covid-19 restrictions next week.
