Rochester Mayor Lovely Warren spoke with reporters Wednesday afternoon to discuss COVID-19’s impact on communities of color after Governor Cuomo says he wants to investigate ethnic and racial disparities in coronavirus deaths across the state.

In numbers released by Monroe County, about 18 percent of fatalities from COVID-19 have been African American, and 9 percent have been Hispanic, while almost 70 percent of victims have been Caucasian.

Nearly 54 percent of coronavirus victims in Monroe County ICU’s are African American, and 5 percent Hispanic, and just over 38 percent are Caucasian.

Mayor Warren says given the demographics of Rochester, there is no ethnic disparity in the COVID-19 data yet. But that could change if the community doesn’t take the virus more seriously.

“What we do know is if we do not exercise social distancing, as well as stay home, we will see those numbers increase and see what is happening across the country happen right here in Rochester,” Warren said.

That’s why Warren says the city will be changing its messaging to target those communities.

“We’re going to be working diligently with some of our community partners and the county of Monroe to make sure we’re providing the right information and education to the community that we have to protect our circles,” Warren said.

And speaking personally, the mayor also talked about her Uncle Andrew, who just passed away due to COVID-19 while in a care facility in New York City.

“It is rapidly moving throughout communities and people are not given the time to say goodbye," Warren said. "Many families, loved ones, are dying by themselves.”

Monroe County says it will continue to update COVID-19 victim demographics at least once a week moving forward.