Comparison of COVID-19 mitigation and decompression strategies among homeless shelters: a prospective cohort study.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

To compare the effectiveness of COVID-19 mitigation strategies in two homeless shelters in Massachusetts during the pandemic.

Methods

We conducted a prospective cohort study that followed guests in two Massachusetts homeless shelters between March 30 and May 13, 2020, which adopted different depopulation strategies. One set up temporary tents in its parking lot, while the other decompressed its guests to a gym and a hotel. The outcome was assessed by comparing the odds ratios of positive SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR assays.

Results

Guests residing at the shelter that used temporary tents had 6.21 times (95% CI = 1.86, 20.77) higher odds of testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 at follow-up after adjusting for loss to follow up, age, gender, and race. The daily COVID-19 symptom

SUBMITTER: Hsu YT 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8431840 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature