Report of clinical cases for COVID-19 in the Penal Center of Gracias, Lempira, Honduras

Abstract

Introduction: penal centers constitute scenarios, where a series of determinants for the appearance of diseases in public health stream, given the prevailing vulnerability and the exponential risk of propagation, in the month of june 2020, health personnel of Gracias Town, Lempira County, in western Honduras, observed an increase of acute respiratory diseases at the expense of attentions provided by the penal center located in this city. Methodology: a research team was formed, coordinated by the epidemiology unit of the National Risk Management System to perform a study of the cases. Results: were found 63 COVID-19 cases were found, among prision staff and those deprived of liberty, 97% were men between 40 and 59 years, presented mild to moderate clinical symptoms being the most frequently: fever, anosmia, persistent cough. Regulated treatment management was started, none of the cases needed hospitalization. Discussion: according to the COVID-19 incubation time, and the serological test results, it was concluded the entrance of the disease to the penal center, was through security personnel, detecting the index case of a prision guard who transferred a prisoner to another penal Center. This Report describes the actions executed for the investigation and control of the first coronavirus sprout, documented in a penal center in Honduras.