Community-Associated Outbreak of COVID-19 in a Correctional Facility — Utah, September 2020–January 2021
Nathaniel M. Lewis, Amelia Prebish Salmanson, Andrea Price, Ilene Risk, Colleen Guymon, Marcus Wisner, Kyle Gardner, Rena Fukunaga, Amee Schwitters, Lauren A. Lambert, Henry C. Baggett, Raimi Ewetola, Angela C. Dunn
Abstract
with one of the patients, also reported symptoms. On September 27, 2020, an outbreak was confirmed after specimens from all remaining incarcerated persons in block 1 were tested; an additional 46 cases of COVID-19 were identified, which were reported to the Salt Lake County Health Department and the Utah Department of Health. On September 30, 2020, CDC, in collaboration with both health departments and the correctional facility, initiated an investigation to identify factors associated with the outbreak and implement control measures. As of January 31, 2021, a total of 1,368 cases among 2,632 incarcerated persons (attack rate = 52%) and 88 cases among 550 staff members (attack rate = 16%) were reported in facility A. Among 33 hospitalized incarcerated persons, 11 died. Quarantine and monitoring of potentially exposed persons and implementation of available prevention measures, including vaccination, are important in preventing introduction and spread of SARS-CoV-2 in correctional facilities and other congregate settings (4).