Analysis shows mass screening and contact tracing reduced cumulative COVID-19 incidence in correctional facilities, indicating effective infection control measures.
Key Points
This research assesses the impact of mass SARS-CoV-2 screening in state correctional facilities throughout the pandemic.
Analyzed SARS-CoV-2 surveillance data from March 2020 to May 2023 in Connecticut correctional facilities.
Used linear regression to evaluate changes in susceptible contacts after positive mass screening cases were isolated.
Compared positivity rates and cumulative incidence of SARS-CoV-2 among unvaccinated incarcerated residents with community estimates.
Recorded 599,964 total SARS-CoV-2 tests with an overall positivity rate of 2.5%.
Mass screening identified 47.2% of positive results, outperforming other methods like contact tracing.
Cumulative incidence at the DOC was significantly lower than community projections during the winter 2021/2022 COVID-19 waves.