Set up and management of quarantine centres during early phase of COVID-19 Pandemic, Masindi District, Uganda

Abstract

On May 1, 2020, Masindi District reported its first confirmed case of COVID-19, identified through a rapid community assessment survey.  By May 2, 2020, 104 contacts had been identified and quarantined; however, the number increased beyond the capacities of the  quarantine facilities as more people were being admitted. We supported the district to assess, modify and setup quarantine centres to  interrupt further transmission of the virus in the communities. We assessed and modified existing quarantine facilities for suitability to  accommodate contact persons and set up new ones based on the national quarantine guidelines. We considered only institutional and geographical quarantines. The institutional quarantines accommodated persons who had been in contact with the case-patient less than  14 days before he was evacuated and these were categorised according to their relationship with the case-patient. For each institutional  quarantine, we provided follow up forms for monitoring temperature changes and development of COVID-19 related symptoms.  Geographical quarantine consisted of all persons who were staying in the same residential area with the casepatient. By the 3rd week of  the response to COVID-19 outbreak in Masindi District, we had established and functionalized four institutional and one geographical quarantine facilities. We quarantined 465 persons, 125 (27%) of which were under institutional quarantine. We recorded one escapee out  of the 465 quarantined persons who was traced and returned within 24 hours. We relocated and distributed contacts to the newly set up  centres in order to adhere to the holding capacity given the space and other amenities. Provision of adequate hand washing facilities and  other social amenities in all the quarantine facilities prevented cross-mixing of contacts from one wing to another. Separation of  toilet and bathroom facilities (for males and females) also prevented sharing by the different sexes. In addition, all the rooms were  cleaned and disinfected twice every day, which provided a clean and friendly environment for the quarantined persons to stay. Daily  follow up of quarantined persons was achieved which involved checking their temperatures and monitoring them for development of COVID-related symptoms. All quarantine facilities were enclosed in fences to ensure security of the quarantined persons. The area Police  and Military personnel were deployed for further enforcement of COVID-19 preventive measures. All the quarantined persons were  discharged after completing the 14-days period. We established and functionalized two institutional quarantine facilities in addition to  the already existing two which we modified.; We quarantined 465 persons, 125 of which were under institutional quarantine. The overall  management of quarantine centres improved and was characterized by less congestion in the facilities, proper record keeping,  strengthened security, and appropriate use of hygiene facilities.