March 31, 2021

Factors Associated with SARS-CoV-2 Positivity in 20 Homeless Shelters in Toronto, Canada, from April to July 2020: A Repeated Cross-Sectional Study

Category: Article Summary

Topic: Public Health Policy and Practice

Keywords (Tags): congregate settings, public health

• Among 872 residents of homeless shelters in Toronto, Canada across 20 shelter locations, 504 unique individuals had a SARS-CoV-2 tests performed in outbreak settings (April 1 to July 31, 2020), of which 69 (14%) were positive. There was no association between SARS-CoV-2 positivity and medical history or symptoms. Those who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 were significantly less likely than those who tested negative to have visited another shelter in the last 14 days (0% vs. 18%). The authors suggest that their findings support testing asymptomatic individuals in shelter settings when a positive case has been identified at the same shelter.

Kiran et al. (Jan 30, 2021). Factors Associated with SARS-CoV-2 Positivity in 20 Homeless Shelters in Toronto, Canada, from April to July 2020: A Repeated Cross-Sectional Study. CMAJ Open. https://doi.org/10.9778/cmajo.20200253