The SARS-CoV-2 virus has been sweeping the globe since the end of last year, causing tens of thousands of fatalities from the respiratory illness COVID19. Many nations have implemented detention testing, stringent containment, and mitigation policies to reduce the risk of transmission, decelerate the spread of the virus, and give healthcare systems more time to cope with the pandemic.

Today’s main challenge is dealing with these limitations and returning to a new normal of living with SARS-CoV-2, a social and economic existence that coexists with the virus. To avoid future peaks in the number of infections and viral transmissions, which would overstretch the already pathetic healthcare systems, infection rates must be kept low until a vaccine or a unanimously viable treatment is discovered.

This article describes SARS-CoV-2 strategical testing for detention and correctional facilities. Testing can be employed proactively to manage the COVID-19 outbreak.

Covid testing is incorporated as a regulatory approach to reducing transmission.

• For starters, solid and practical testing, tracking, and tracing (TTT) are required. TTT, if properly implemented, is the most promising method for bringing – and keeping – the epidemic under control in the medium term without resorting to massive social and economic lockdowns. This method also gives crucial information on the epidemic’s spread.
• Serological tests are needed to determine immunity among specific priority population groups (e.g., health and other critical function employees), so they can work without repetitive isolation. This technique may potentially be expanded to include a more significant portion of the population.
• Third, once fast serologic tests are shown to be accurate enough to be used on a broad scale, extensive testing will allow us to estimate how far we are from population-wide herd immunity. This information is critical in determining how to adapt social distancing tactics.

1.  Synopsis of testing situations:

• When a person shows signs or symptoms compatible with COVID-19 or is asymptomatic but has recently known or suspected exposure to SARS-CoV-2, diagnostic tests are used to determine current infection.
• Screening tests are used to detect asymptomatic infected patients and have no history of SARS-CoV-2 infection (known, suspected, or reported). Screening aids in the identification of undiscovered instances so that preventative actions can be implemented.

2.  Selection of a test:

When deciding which test to use, it’s necessary to examine the test’s purpose (e.g., diagnostic, screening), the test’s analytical performance concerning the amount of community transmission, the requirement for quick findings, and other factors.

3.  Scheduled detention testing:

Routine screening tests can help avoid extensive transmission by identifying cases early. Routine detention testing should be implemented among all incarcerated/detained individuals and personnel who are not entirely vaccinated or among a chosen group based on the criteria it specifies. If testing workers at the plant is not possible, facilities should invest in substantial research and development.

Conclusion:

A growing body of conclusive research data suggests that a symptom-based strategy should be used to cease seclusion and precautions for people with COVID-19. This update integrates new information to guide the length of isolation and precautions suggested to avoid SARS-CoV-2 transmission to others while reducing unnecessarily extended isolation and laboratory testing resources.