October 29, 2020

COVID-19 Testing and Cases in Immigration Detention Centers, April-August 2020

Category: Article Summary

Topic: Public Health Policy and Practice

Keywords (Tags): prisons, public health

• COVID-19 case rates among detainees in US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facilities increased every month from April to August, with increases only partially explained by increased testing. ICE facilities reported 5379 cumulative COVID-19 cases and 6 deaths among its detainees through August 2020. Twenty facilities (of 135) accounted for 71% of cases. The monthly COVID-19 case rate increased from 1527 to 6683 per 100,000 detainees between April and August. Compared with the US population, the mean monthly case ratio for detainees was 13.4 (95% CI 8.0-18.9) and the mean monthly test rate ratio was 4.6 (95% CI 2.5-6.7), both indicative of higher cases and testing among detainees.

Erfani et al. (Oct 29, 2020). COVID-19 Testing and Cases in Immigration Detention Centers, April-August 2020. JAMA. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2020.21473