COVID-19: The forgotten cases of hidden exiles

C Le Bihan; V Faucherre; V Le Moing; A Mehenni; D Nantes; A Da Silva; C Jaume; F Lassalle; A Makinson

doi:10.1016/j.idnow.2021.01.008

COVID-19: The forgotten cases of hidden exiles

Infect Dis Now. 2021 Jun;51(4):387-390. doi: 10.1016/j.idnow.2021.01.008. Epub 2021 Jan 22.

Authors

C Le Bihan¹, V Faucherre², V Le Moing¹, A Mehenni³, D Nantes³, A Da Silva⁴, C Jaume³, F Lassalle⁵, A Makinson⁶

Affiliations

¹ Department of infectious and tropical diseases and COVID medical department, InsermU1175, University of Montpellier and Saint-Éloi University Hospital, 34295 Montpellier, France.
² Internal medicine department, University Hospital Montpellier, 34295 Montpellier, France.
³ General medical supervisor, Médecins du monde Association, Montpellier, France.
⁴ General medicine, Adages association, Montpellier, France.
⁵ Department of emergency medicine, University Hospital Montpellier, 34295 Montpellier, France.
⁶ Department of infectious and tropical diseases and COVID medical department, InsermU1175, University of Montpellier and Saint-Éloi University Hospital, 34295 Montpellier, France. Electronic address: a-makinson@chu-montpellier.fr.

Abstract

Purpose of the research: We describe two interventions to screen for SARS-CoV-2 in two squats of exiled persons in France following the diagnosis of symptomatic COVID-19 cases.

Principal results: In squat A, 50 (25%) persons were screened; 19 were found positive, and three accepted a transfer. In squat B, 65 (54%) persons were screened at three different times, and only two were found positive.

Major conclusions: Discrepant outcomes may reflect different levels of sanitation, prevention, and acceptance of interventions. Refusal to be transferred to specific COVID-19 homes if tested positive underscores the importance of local sanitary solutions for all. Cross-curricular strategies addressed to exiled persons are essential means of providing medical and public health solutions designed to deter COVID-19 outbreaks in these populations.

Keywords: COVID-19; Homeless; Infection; Migrant.

MeSH terms

Adolescent
Adult
COVID-19 / diagnosis*
France
Humans
Mass Screening*
Middle Aged
Retrospective Studies
Transients and Migrants*
Young Adult