Longitudinal analysis reveals mass screening significantly reduces transmission in correctional facilities, indicating the need for improved isolation measures.
Key Points
The study evaluates the effectiveness of SARS-CoV-2 mass screening in correctional facilities over time.
Conducted a longitudinal analysis of testing data from the CTDOC between November 2020 and May 2023.
Evaluated time from test collection to result and average exposures averted through isolation.
Compared exposures following positive versus negative tests.
Among 600,477 tests in 29,728 residents, mass screening identified significant reductions in susceptible cellmates and contacts.
Average time to notification was 2 days for positives and 1 day for negatives.
On average, 0.65 cell and up to 66.9 cell block exposures were averted per positive case.