Latino communities in Maryland have been particularly hard-hit by the coronavirus pandemic because of shared housing situations, lack of access to government benefits and distrust in health officials, experts told a legislative panel last month.

“I think it started in the early months with us working in essential jobs,” said Dr. Michelle LaRue, senior manager of health and social services at CASA de Maryland, an advocacy group supporting Latino and other immigrants across the state through services like employment placement, and health education.

“Also, so many sectors in our community don’t have the same benefits and support that other sectors do, like the option to telework and to take paid sick leave. This makes us more at risk of catching the virus and having the implications of the infection.”

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