Public Health Measures and SARS-CoV-2 Cases in the Juvenile Justice System: Implications for Pandemic Response in the Detention Setting

Authors

Asha Davidson
Shelley Aggarwal
Mona Eissa
Laura Benjamins
John Will
Rebecca Beyda

Publication Date

2-1-2023

Journal

Southern Medical Journal

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to examine severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 case positivity in juvenile justice facilities of two different states alongside institutional, local, and state public health policies during the first 6 months of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.

METHODS: This retrospective chart review examined two large, urban juvenile justice centers in California and Texas. Positive intake or day 12 tests were considered suggestive of community-acquired severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 infection. Researchers examined state and county restrictions, closings, and openings. The study included all of the youths 10 to 18 years residing in the facilities between March and August 2020. The main outcomes measured case positivity in each facility and compared it with community positivity rates and state public health measures.

RESULTS: In total, 530 youth were included (Texas, n = 319; California, n = 211). The Texas facility reported a higher number of positive cases (24) versus the California facility (3) (

CONCLUSIONS: The Texas facility reported a higher percentage of community-acquired infections compared with California, coinciding with reopening measures in Texas. Texas also enacted a mask mandate later than California. These public health measures, among other factors, likely contributed to higher community rates in Texas, thereby affecting rates among the detained youth.

Keywords

detention, infection control, infectious disease, juvenile justice, public health

Comments

PMID: 36724535