Investigation of the COVID-19 outbreak in a prison unit: health surveillance actions

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17058/reci.v15i1.19419

Keywords:

Disease outbreaks;, Prisons;, Prisoners;, Coronavirus infections.

Abstract

Background and Objectives: the population deprived of liberty is classified as vulnerable to contagion by COVID-19, living in environments susceptible to the spread of infections. Given this, it was proposed to describe the COVID-19 outbreak in a prison unit and analyze health surveillance actions to control it. Methods: this is a mixed, quantitative and qualitative study of a COVID-19 outbreak that occurred between July and September 2020 in a Remand Center. Secondary data from suspected cases of COVID-19 were used, and in the qualitative analysis, interviews were carried out with five healthcare professionals. Results: 640 suspected cases of COVID-19 were registered; 477 (74.5%) cases were confirmed for COVID-19; and only 91 (14.2%) of cases showed characteristic symptoms. They all evolved into healing. Screening symptomatic people, isolation cells, suspension of visits and mass testing were strategies listed to control the outbreak. Conclusion: the population deprived of liberty is vulnerable to respiratory diseases due to the overcrowded context in which they live.

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Author Biographies

Carlos Alves Pessoa, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, São Mateus, ES – Brasil

Carlos has a degree in Nursing from the Federal University of Espírito Santo (UFES). Resident in Urgency and Emergency at Fundação Beneficente Rio Doce.

João Paulo Cola, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Vitória, ES – Brasil

Joao Paulo is graduated in Nursing and Midwifery from the Federal University of Espírito Santo (2014). He has a Master's degree in Public Health from the Federal University of Espírito Santo (2019). Joao Paulo has a PhD degree in Public Health from the Federal University of Espírito Santo (2023).

Thiago Nascimento do Prado, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Departamento de Ciências da Saúde, Vitória, ES, Brasil.

He has a degree in nursing from the Federal University of Espírito Santo (2007), a Master's degree in Infectious Diseases from UFES (2010). Thiago has a PhD degree in Infectious Diseases from UFES (2015), he carries out research projects in the area of ​​Epidemiology of communicable diseases and he is a Professor at UFES in the Nursing department.

Letícya Dos Santos Almeida Negri, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Departamento de Ciências da Saúde, São Mateus, ES – Brasil

Letícya graduated in Nursing and Midwifery from the Federal University of Espírito Santo (1999). She has a Master's degree in Public Health from the Federal University of Espírito Santo (2010), Doctorate in Public Health from the Federal University of Espírito Santo (2021). Leticya is Professor at the Federal University of Espírito Santo since 2014.

Heleticia Scabelo Galavote, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Departamento de Ciências da Saúde, São Mateus, ES – Brasil

She has a degree in Nursing from the Federal University of Espírito Santo. He Letícia has a Master's degree in Public Health from the Fluminense Federal University. She has a PhD degree in Public Health from the Federal University of Espírito Santo. Heleticia acts as Adjunct Professor of the Nursing course at the Centro Universitário Norte do Espírito Santo of the Federal University of Espírito Santo.

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Published

2025-01-28

How to Cite

Alves Pessoa, C., Cola, J. P. ., Nascimento do Prado, T., Dos Santos Almeida Negri, L., & Scabelo Galavote, H. (2025). Investigation of the COVID-19 outbreak in a prison unit: health surveillance actions. Revista De Epidemiologia E Controle De Infecção, 15(1). https://doi.org/10.17058/reci.v15i1.19419

Issue

Vol. 15 No. 1 (2025)

Section

ORIGINAL ARTICLE

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Copyright (c) 2025 Carlos Alves Pessoa, João Paulo Cola, Thiago Nascimento do Prado, Letícya Dos Santos Almeida Negri, Heleticia Scabelo Galavote

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