People from black, Asian and ethnic minority communities are significantly more likely to contract coronavirus, figures suggest.

The council said half of those who had been diagnosed with the virus came from BAME groups – despite making up just 15 per cent of the town’s population.

Nationally, people from ethnic minorities have disproportionately been affected by the virus. Reasons put forward include housing conditions, existing health conditions and the fact that many people work in public-facing jobs. 

The revelations came as Swindon remained on a government coronavirus watchlist. It is an area of concern for Public Health England, although there is as yet no sign of lockdown measures being imposed as has happened in cities like Manchester or Leicester.

READ MORE: COVID RECAP: What you need to know about the virus in Swindon

Swindon’s first mayor of Bangladeshi descent, Coun Junab Ali, yesterday said he was unhappy with the local response to the virus.

“I know our public health chief is trying his best, but I haven’t seen any enforcement or checks and I have visited a few places,” said Coun Ali, who is chairman of new organisation Swindon BAME Network.

“I was in London a couple of weeks ago. They would not let you in without a telephone number, you had to have a temperature check, following all the guidelines.

“I haven’t seen many in town do that. 

“People are going to be people. Some won’t listen, won’t follow the law. How are we backing that up to make sure everybody is on this and cooperating?”

He said his colleagues in the town’s wards worst affected by the virus had been “banging on about” the issue. 

“I’ll give you an example. In Broadgreen, go and have a walk there. How many people are wearing masks? How many people go into shops wearing masks or is it enforce? Because you can’t ask the shop keepers to enforce it. I’ve asked some shop keepers they’ve said customers start arguing with them. 

“Unless you’re proactive and do those kind of things then this is going to get worse.”

The council has not released official figures showing which communities have been worst affected by coronavirus in recent weeks. 

However, the borough’s public health director Steve Maddern said roughly 50 per cent of recent cases were in the town’s BAME community. Postcode areas SN1 and SN2, the focus of recent spikes in cases, are among Swindon’s most ethnically diverse. Businesses hit by mini-outbreaks in the past few weeks have a diverse workforce.

Coun Ali said people were worried. “I’m included in that. Every time you look at it – not just locally, nationally as well – you see the statistics that stacks up against ethnic minorities. 

“We need to find out more data as to why that is, but that is the case at the moment.”

Swindon Borough Council was approached for comment.