Lessons Learned through Implementing SARS-CoV-2 Testing and Isolation for People Experiencing Homelessness in...

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Epidemiology
• Community Health

Background:

• The Denver COVID-19 Joint Task Force, a multisector partnership, coordinated pandemic response for people experiencing homelessness (PEH).
• Congregate shelters present unique challenges for infectious disease control during pandemics.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the collaborative development and implementation of SARS-CoV-2 testing and isolation protocols for PEH in congregate shelters.
• To pilot these protocols and evaluate their feasibility and effectiveness.

Main Methods:

• Community partners collaborated to design, implement, and pilot testing and isolation strategies for PEH in a congregate shelter.
• Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) testing was performed on a subset of PEH.

Main Results:

• SARS-CoV-2 testing was conducted on 52 PEH, with 14 (27%) testing positive or inconclusive.
• Of those testing positive or inconclusive, 13 (93%) were transferred to isolation hotels.
• Sixty-nine percent (9 of 13) of participants were isolated within 72 hours of testing.

Conclusions:

• The pilot study informed the development of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) surveillance and isolation protocols for PEH.
• Multisector community partnerships are crucial for agile pandemic response, particularly for vulnerable populations.