Implementation of novel and conventional outbreak control measures in managing COVID-19 outbreaks in a large UK prison.
Coleman, Paul C Pailing, Adam Roy, Anjana O'Moore, Éamonn Chandan, Joht Singh Lumby, Victoria Newton, Paul Taylor, Anna Robinson, Esther Swindells, Jonathon
Coleman, Paul C
Pailing, Adam
Roy, Anjana
O'Moore, Éamonn
Chandan, Joht Singh
Lumby, Victoria
Newton, Paul
Taylor, Anna
Robinson, Esther
Swindells, Jonathon
Abstract
Background: Outbreak control measures during COVID-19 outbreaks in a large UK prison consisted of standard (e.g., self-isolation) and novel measures, including establishment of: (i) reverse cohorting units for accommodating new prison admissions; (ii) protective isolation unit for isolating symptomatic prisoners, and (iii) a shielding unit to protect medically vulnerable prisoners.
Methods: Single-centre prospective longitudinal study (outbreak control study), implementing novel and traditional outbreak control measures to prevent a SARS-COV-2 outbreak. The prison held 977 prisoners and employed 910 staff at that start of the outbreak.
Results: 120 probable and 25 confirmed cases among prisoners and staff were recorded between March and June 2020 during the first outbreak. Over 50% of initial cases among prisoners were on the two wings associated with the index case. During the second outbreak, 182 confirmed cases were recorded after probable reintroduction from a staff member. Widespread testing identified 145 asymptomatic prisoners, 16.9% of the total prisoner cases. The cohorting units prevented re-infection from new prison admissions and the shielding unit had no COVID-19 infections linked to either outbreak.
Conclusions: Identifying and isolating infected prisoners, cohorting new admissions and shielding vulnerable individuals helped prevent uncontrollable spread of SARS-COV-2. These novel and cost-effective approaches can be implemented in correctional facilities globally.
MIDER Authors
Affiliations
University of Warwick; United Kingdom Health Security Agency; University of Birmingham; Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust
Citations
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Date
2022-04-07
Type
Article
Subject
Collections
Citation
Coleman, P. C., Pailing, A., Roy, A., O'Moore, É., Chandan, J. S., Lumby, V., Newton, P., Taylor, A., Robinson, E., Swindells, J., Dowle, S., & Gajraj, R. (2022). Implementation of novel and conventional outbreak control measures in managing COVID-19 outbreaks in a large UK prison. BMC public health, 22(1), 677. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-022-12991-7