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. 2021 Oct;57(7):1240-1243.
doi: 10.1007/s10597-021-00816-7. Epub 2021 Mar 26.

Prevalence of COVID 19 Positive Cases Presenting to a Psychiatric Emergency Room

Jeffrey Cardenas  1   2 , Janine Roach  3   4 , Alex Kopelowicz  3   4
Affiliations

Prevalence of COVID 19 Positive Cases Presenting to a Psychiatric Emergency Room

Jeffrey Cardenas et al. Community Ment Health J. 2021 Oct.

Abstract

To explore the prevalence of SARS-CoV2 infection in the psychiatric emergency room setting. A Cross-sectional retrospective chart review was used to determine the point-prevalence of SARS-CoV2 infection and the characteristics of those infected. Of the patients tested for SARS-CoV2, 23/1057 (2.2%) were positive. Most of these patients were homeless (living on the street) or came from congregate living settings. The high percentage of SARS-CoV2 positive psychiatric patients coming from congregate living settings stresses the importance of asymptomatic screening in this vulnerable population.

Keywords: COVID-19; Congregate setting; Point prevalence; Psychiatric emergency room; Psychiatric patients; SARS-CoV2.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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