1

COVID-19 outbreak guidance and resources for correctional facilities

Last updated on February 6, 2025

Visit the Communicable disease guidance and resources for correctional and detention facilities and sites serving people experiencing homelessness webpage for other disease specific resources for these settings.

This guidance document is intended for non-healthcare staff and residents of correctional facilities. Facilities providing health care services should consult CDC Infection Control Guidance: SARS-CoV-2 for recommended infection prevention and control strategies for patient care. Healthcare workers who provide care in these settings should refer to the Interim Guidance for Managing Healthcare Personnel with SARS-CoV-2 Infection or Exposure to SARS-CoV-2.

Pathogen: SARS-CoV-2 is a virus that causes COVID-19. COVID-19 causes respiratory symptoms that can feel much like the common cold, the flu, or pneumonia. Most people with COVID-19 have mild symptoms, but some people may become severely ill resulting in hospitalization or even death. Anyone can get COVID-19, however, those that are most at risk of becoming very sick if they get COVID-19 includes people who are older (especially over age 65), those who have a weakened immune system (immunocompromised), people who have certain disabilities, are pregnant or have underlying health conditions. For example, the number of deaths among people over age 65 is 97 times higher than among people ages 18-29 years and people of any age, including children and teens, who have underlying medical conditions also have an increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19.

Incubation period: Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus.

Symptoms: May include fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, new loss of taste or smell, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, nausea or vomiting and diarrhea. Not everyone who acquires COVID-19, will have symptoms and symptoms can vary depending on the type of COVID-19 strain.

Transmission/communicability: COVID-19 is very contagious and can spread quickly. The virus is  spread when an infected person breathes out respiratory droplets and very small particles that contain the virus. This can happen through sneezing, coughing, or even talking. These droplets can be breathed in by other people or land in their eyes, nose, or mouth. Sometimes, these respiratory droplets can stay in the air for hours after an infected person has left the space. COVID-19 can also be acquired by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching your mouth, nose, or eyes.

Prevention/Treatment: If a staff or resident tests positive for COVID-19, they may benefit from anti-viral medicine to help them recover. These medications can help prevent people who are at high risk from getting severely ill and keep them out of the hospital. Early testing is recommended to prevent the spread of this highly contagious virus to people who are at high risk for severe illness. If a person who is at high risk for severe illness is thought to have COVID-19, it is important for that individual to have prompt evaluation by a healthcare provider for COVID-19 treatment. These treatments, when given early, can prevent the illness from becoming severe. See CDC’s webpage on Types of COVID-19 Treatment for more information.

Staying Up to Date with COVID-19 Vaccines can also help protect against severe disease, hospitalization, and death from COVID-19. CDC recommends that people ages 6 months and older receive all recommended COVID-19 vaccine doses. Vaccination is especially important for people at highest risk of severe COVID-19. Even if someone is not high risk, people who are up to date on their COVID-19 vaccination also have benefits including:

  • Milder symptoms if they do get infected with the virus
  • Shorter time of being ill if they get infected with the virus
  • Reduced risk of hospitalization or death from COVID-19
  • Reduced risk of needing to go to the urgent care of emergency department for care during the illness
  • Reduced risk of long COVID
  • More reliable long term immune protection from COVID-19

The COVID-19 vaccines have been studied extensively for safety and monitoring of all vaccines continues to make sure if any safety concerns come up, they are found quickly.

COVID-19-associated outbreak definition in correctional facilities

  • Suspected COVID-19 outbreak: At least one resident with a positive COVID-19 test result and at least one resident with onset of undiagnosed respiratory illness occurring within a seven-day period.*
  • Confirmed COVID-19 outbreak: Two or more residents with a positive COVID-19 test result occurring within a seven-day period.*

*Note: Residents who test positive at booking (or within 48 hours of entry into a correctional facility) do not count towards the outbreak definition.

Outbreak resolution

  • A COVID-19 outbreak in a correctional facility is considered resolved when:
    • 28 days have passed since the first symptom onset date (or collection date, if asymptomatic) of the last newly identified COVID-19 case among residents
      and
    • No newly identified COVID-19 like illness are identified in incarcerated/detained individual
      and
    • Newly identified positive staff members have been excluded from the workplace for the recommended period of time.

For more information, refer to the Colorado COVID-19 Case and Outbreak Definitions.

Reporting cases or an outbreak

All COVID-19 outbreaks in correctional facilities are considered reportable in Colorado. Report all suspected and confirmed COVID-19 outbreaks to your local public health agency (LPHA) or CDPHE and complete this Outbreak Report Form. Correctional facilities can use the following Respiratory Disease Line List Template to aid in reporting an outbreak.  

Starting January 14, 2025, positive test results will no longer be reportable by providers. Positive molecular and rapid antigen tests and lineage or sequencing results must be reported by only laboratories capable of electronic laboratory reporting (ELR). Additional details about reporting can be found on the CDPHE COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) reporting requirements webpage.

Prevention of COVID-19 in correctional facilities: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has archived the Guidance on the Management of COVID-19 in Homeless Service Sites and in Correctional and Detention Facilities. Correctional facilities should refer to the CDC Respiratory Virus Guidance for prevention strategies. Some core prevention strategies include:

  • Providing recommended vaccination and everyday hygiene supplies including soap and running water.
  • Cleaning frequently touched surfaces.
  • Taking steps for cleaner air in the facility.
  • Providing access to healthcare (including treatment for respiratory illness and monitoring for people at higher risk for severe outcomes).
    AND
  • Providing spaces for people with respiratory illness to stay away from others to prevent spread (sometimes called “medical isolation”).

See CDC’s Respiratory Virus Guidance Update Frequently Asked Questions for more information.

If your facility has questions or concerns regarding COVID-19 disease control, cases, or a potential outbreak, contact your local public health agency (LPHA).

Resources: