March 19, 2021

Shelter Characteristics, Infection Prevention Practices, and Universal Testing for SARS-CoV-2 at Homeless Shelters in 7 US Urban Areas

Category: Article Summary

Topic: Transmission

Keywords (Tags): congregate settings, disparities, infection control, transmission

• Findings from SARS-CoV-2 testing offered to clients and staff at 63 homeless shelters, irrespective of symptoms, found lower prevalence of infection at shelters that implemented head-to-toe sleeping and that excluded symptomatic staff from working. Shelters with medical services available were less likely to have very high infection prevalence (defined as >10%).

Self, J et al. Shelter Characteristics, Infection Prevention Practices, and Universal Testing for SARS-CoV-2 at Homeless Shelters in 7 US Urban Areas. American Journal of Public Health. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2021.306198