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. 2022 Apr 7;22(1):677.
doi: 10.1186/s12889-022-12991-7.

Implementation of novel and conventional outbreak control measures in managing COVID-19 outbreaks in a large UK prison

Paul C Coleman #  1   2 , Adam Pailing #  2 , Anjana Roy  3 , Éamonn O'Moore  3 , Joht Singh Chandan  4   5 , Victoria Lumby  6 , Paul Newton  6 , Anna Taylor  7 , Esther Robinson  8 , Jonathon Swindells  9 , Sarah Dowle  2 , Roger Gajraj  2
Affiliations

Implementation of novel and conventional outbreak control measures in managing COVID-19 outbreaks in a large UK prison

Paul C Coleman et al. BMC Public Health. .

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.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Outbreak control pathway for new admissions and the general prison population in Prison A. Key features of the outbreak response are the Reverse Cohorting Unit (RCU), Protective Isolation Unit and Shielding Unit (SU)
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Probable and confirmed cases of COVID-19 by date of onset of symptoms among prisoners and staff linked to Prison A during the first outbreak and timeline of key events
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Confirmed cases of COVID-19 by date of onset of symptoms or date of positive swab for asymptomatic prisoners and staff linked to Prison A during the second outbreak and timeline of key events
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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