Mass Testing for SARS-CoV-2 in 16 Prisons and Jails - Six Jurisdictions, United States, April-May 2020.

Preventing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in correctional and detention facilities* can be challenging because of population-dense housing, varied access to hygiene facilities and supplies, and limited space for isolation and quarantine (1). Incarcerated and detained populations have a high prevalence of chronic diseases, increasing their risk for severe COVID-19-associated illness and making early detection critical (2,3). Correctional and detention facilities are not closed systems; SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, can be transmitted to and from the surrounding community through staff member and visitor movements as well as entry, transfer, and release of incarcerated and detained persons (1). To better understand SARS-CoV-2 prevalence in these settings, CDC requested data from 15 jurisdictions describing results of mass testing events among incarcerated and detained persons and cases identified through earlier symptom-based testing. Six jurisdictions reported SARS-CoV-2 prevalence of 0%-86.8% (median = 29.3%) from mass testing events in 16 adult facilities. Before mass testing, 15 of the 16 facilities had identified at least one COVID-19 case among incarcerated or detained persons using symptom-based testing, and mass testing increased the total number of known cases from 642 to 8,239. Case surveillance from symptom-based testing has likely underestimated SARS-CoV-2 prevalence in correctional and detention facilities. Broad-based testing can provide a more accurate assessment of prevalence and generate data to help control transmission (4).

Tuberculosis genotyping in six low-incidence States, 2000-2003.

BACKGROUND: As tuberculosis incidence declines in the United States, a new tool for TB control efforts is Mycobacterium tuberculosis genotyping. Colorado, Iowa, Montana, New Hampshire, West Virginia, and Wisconsin began routine genotyping of all culture-confirmed TB cases in October 2000. METHODS: M. tuberculosis isolates from cases reported October 2000 through December 2003 were genotyped by spoligotyping, mycobacterial interspersed repetitive units, and IS6110-based restriction fragment length polymorphism methods. Genotyping results were linked to demographic variables from national surveillance records. Patients who were in genotype clusters were interviewed and their records reviewed to determine possible transmission links among clustered patients. Final analysis was completed during April 2004 through June 2005. RESULTS: Of 971 reported TB cases, 774 (80%) were culture-confirmed, of which 728 (94%) were genotyped. Most genotyped isolates (634 [87%]) were unique. Within 36 clusters linking 94 individuals, four clusters involved both U.S.- and foreign-born individuals. For eight clusters, genotyping results led to the discovery of previously unsuspected transmission. Transmission links between individuals were established in 21 (58%) of the 36 clusters. CONCLUSIONS: In these six low-incidence states, most isolates had unique genotypes, suggesting that most cases arose from activation of latent infection. Few TB clusters involved the foreign-born. For 58% of genotype clusters, epidemiologic investigation ascertained that clustering represented recent M. tuberculosis transmission.

Findings from mental health screening of newly arrived refugees in Colorado.

States are required to provide a public health screening for all newly arrived refugees in the United States. In 1997, a comprehensive program was created to include both a physical examination and a mental health screening. This article provides a complete description of the mental health screening process, including two illustrative cases, and reports information about the refugees who participated in the program. Ten percent of screened refugees were offered mental health referrals; of those, 37% followed up. Refugees who presented for treatment reported a higher number of symptoms upon screening compared with those who were offered referrals but did not follow up. Psychiatric evaluation confirmed that those who screened positive and presented for treatment were experiencing a high level of suffering and qualified for mental health diagnoses. The findings support inclusion of a mental health screening as part of the public health screening.