Lessons Learned through Implementing SARS-CoV-2 Testing and Isolation for People Experiencing Homelessness in Congregate Shelters.

BACKGROUND

The Denver COVID-19 Joint Task Force is a multisector community partnership which formed to coordinate Denver's pandemic response in people experiencing homelessness (PEH).

OBJECTIVES

Describe how interdisciplinary community partners collaborated to develop, implement, and pilot severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) testing and isolation protocols in congregate shelters, and discuss lessons learned and subsequently applied.

METHODS

In March through May 2020, community partners collaborated to design, implement and conduct pilot testing paired with isolation in a subset of PEH at a congregate shelter to assess feasibility and inform protocol development.Results and Lessons Learned: We performed SARS-CoV-2 testing in 52 PEH with 14 (27%) testing positive or inconclusive. Thirteen (93%) positive or inconclusive participants were transferred to isolation hotels with 9 of 13 (69%) transferred within 72 hours of testing.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings informed development of coronavirus disease 2019 surveillance testing and isolation protocols for PEH and highlight the value of community partnerships in nimbly responding to the pandemic.