COVID-19 in shelters: strategies for protecting vulnerable populations
A recent study reveals that both people experiencing homelessness (PEH) and shelter staff face a high risk of COVID-19, especially during outbreaks. It highlights the importance of universal rapid testing, expanding non-congregate housing, and implementing in-shelter measures like bed spacing and limiting staff rotation to reduce transmission. The study also calls for more research into the health impacts of interventions and the real-life experiences of PEH to improve future pandemic responses.
SARS-Cov-2 prevalence, transmission, health-related outcomes and control strategies in homeless shelters: Systematic review and meta-analysis. eClinicalMedicine. 2021; 38.