Ms Camilla Lobo1, Ms Jelena Kopcic2, Ms Jane Connolly1, Ms Colette Mcgrath1, Ms Shani Prosser1
1Justice Health And Forensic Mental Health Network, Malabar, Australia
2NSW Public Health Training Program, NSW Ministry of Health, St Leonards, Sydney, Australia
Method: The Network developed an outbreak management protocol to provide guidance for staff managing outbreaks in NSW correctional centres. This includes a modified COVID-19 isolation protocol to identify people vulnerable to serious COVID-19 illness and arranging their accommodation outside of the outbreak zone. This approach identifies contacts in the outbreak who can leave their cell and access communal areas and amenities not available in their cell. These inmates must agree to comply with symptom monitoring, infection control practices and testing.
Results: The development and implementation of this model has allowed people in custody greater flexibility and has reduced the detrimental effects of traditional outbreak management by removing the requirement to isolate in their cell. This has decreased the risk of violence to staff in custodial facilities and removed many of the disruptions to healthcare and custodial operations caused by the pandemic.
Conclusion: The outbreak management model is significant as the protocol has been developed in response to a unique high risk setting while acknowledging the changes to isolation requirements in the community.
Background: The Justice Health and Forensic Mental Health Network (the Network) experienced a surge in COVID-19 cases in custody consistent with community outbreaks during the Delta wave. The outbreak model in prisons meant isolation periods for contacts were extended due to isolation periods resetting. This caused significant strain on healthcare and custodial operation systems and had negative impacts on people in prison. This prompted the need to re-assess isolation procedures and develop a modified isolation model.
Biography: Camilla Lobo is the CNC Population Health COVID-19 Coordinator and has worked with Justice Health for more than 10 years. Camilla has worked in viral hepatitis and sexual health programs in prison populations and worked with adolescent health programs in Aboriginal communities in NSW.
Jelena Kopcic is a Public Health Officer Trainee with experience in environmental health and public policy. As part of the NSW Public Health Training Program, Jelena completed a placement with the Justice Health Network. In this role she supported the COVID-19 public health and outbreak management response.