COVID-19 Outbreak in a Large Penitentiary Complex, April-June 2020, Brazil

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Fernando A Gouvea-Reis, Patrícia D Oliveira, Danniely C S Silva

    Emerging Infectious Diseases
    |January 12, 2021
    PubMed

    Insights

    A coronavirus disease outbreak in a Brazilian prison infected over 1,000 people, leading to hospitalizations and deaths. The study highlights rapid transmission within the correctional facility.

    Area of Science:

    • Epidemiology
    • Public Health
    • Infectious Diseases

    Background:

    • Correctional facilities are high-risk environments for infectious disease outbreaks.
    • The emergence of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) posed a significant threat to vulnerable populations, including incarcerated individuals.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To describe the epidemiology of a COVID-19 outbreak in a Brazilian penitentiary complex.
    • To estimate key transmission parameters, such as the serial interval and reproduction number.

    Main Methods:

    • Retrospective cohort study of confirmed COVID-19 cases among inmates and staff.
    • Analysis of case data from April 1 to June 12, 2020.
    • Calculation of serial interval and reproduction number.

    Main Results:

    • 1,057 confirmed cases of COVID-19 were identified.
    • Nine patients required hospitalization, and three deaths were recorded.
    • The mean serial interval was approximately 2.5 days, with a reproduction number (R0) ranging from 1.0 to 2.3.

    Conclusions:

    • The study demonstrates rapid transmission of coronavirus disease within a Brazilian penitentiary.
    • The findings underscore the need for targeted public health interventions in correctional settings to control infectious disease outbreaks.

    Keywords:
    BrazilCOVID-19SARS-CoV-2coronavirus diseaseinfectious diseasesoutbreaksovercrowdingprisonspublic healthsevere acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2underlying medical conditionsviruseszoonoses

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