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TUESDAY, June 30, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Prompt identification and isolation of individuals infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is important for reducing transmission in correctional and detention facilities, according to research published in the June 29 early-release issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report<\/i>.<\/p>\n
Henry Njuguna, M.D., from the CDC COVID-19 Response Team, and colleagues describe transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in a correctional and detention facility in Louisiana after development of symptoms on March 29, 2020, followed by detection of a positive case in a staff member. An investigation was initiated by the CDC and Louisiana Department of Health on May 7, 2020, to assess the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 among incarcerated and detained persons residing in quarantined dormitories.<\/p>\n
Two additional cases were detected among staff members and 36 cases were identified among incarcerated and detained persons at the facility during April 2 and May 7, 2020. These persons were removed from dormitories and isolated; their five dormitories were quarantined. The researchers identified 71 cases among the 98 incarcerated and detained persons residing in the five quarantined dormitories; 32 (45 percent) were among persons with no symptoms at the time of testing, including three presymptomatic. Eighteen cases (25 percent) were identified in individuals with negative tests from previous rounds of testing.<\/p>\n
“Serial testing, particularly in congregate settings is important for identification of persons with SARS-CoV-2 infection and prompt public health response,” the authors write.<\/p>\n