Correctional Service of Canada - COVID-19 Testing Strategy
Early Identification and Containment of COVID-19 through:
Actively screening all inmates for COVID-19 symptoms at intake and release by health care staff.
Active Monitoring of inmates by Health Care for COVID-19 symptoms at the following frequency:
Daily at intake for 14 days.
Daily, for 14 days, of all close contacts of any inmate that tested positive for COVID-19.
Daily for all inmates at outbreak sites.
Three times a week for all inmates at risk for a more severe outcome due to COVID-19 when there is community transmission. And daily during an outbreak.
Medical Isolation for:
14 days for all inmates admitted on a Warrant of Committal or returning to federal custody following suspension/revocation.
14 days for all inmates who are a close contact of a COVID-19 positive case.
All symptomatic and COVID positive inmates until medically cleared.
Following a private family visit, overnight temporary absence or hospital admission.
Some transfers when there is elevated community transmission.
Self-isolation for all symptomatic staff and any close contacts of a COVID-19 positive case.
Self-isolation of offenders in the community for 14 days when released from an outbreak site.
Real-time epidemiological support to understand the nature of outbreaks and transmission points.
Comprehensive And Expanded Testing Strategy For All CSC Institutions
Testing of Inmates at Time of Admission and Release
Offer testing to all inmates at intake, prior to their release from medical isolation.
Offer testing to all inmates prior to their release to the community. Positive results reported to local public health and a plan jointly developed.
Testing of Symptomatic Inmates
Offer testing to all symptomatic inmates no matter how minor the symptom.
Complete contact tracing from symptom onset.
Testing of Symptomatic Staff
Refer all symptomatic staff to local public health for symptomatic testing.
Complete contact tracing from symptom onset and offer testing.
Testing of Inmates and Staff when there is an Outbreak
Offer testing to all inmates and staff who are at risk for contracting COVID-19.
For any positive tests, complete contact tracing.
Testing of Inmates and Staff when there is an Outbreak
Offer testing to all inmates and staff who are at risk for contracting COVID-19.
For any positive tests, complete contact tracing.
Asymptomatic Surveillance - Offenders & Staff
Weekly monitoring of community transmission rates to identify institutions located in areas of increased community transmission.
Offer testing to all inmates and staff at institutions where community transmission is elevated.
For any positive tests, complete contact tracing.
Re-offer testing over several weeks/months when sites remain in areas of increased community transmission over several weeks/months.
Expanded Testing Capacity through Partnerships
COVID-19 testing requires significant medical and material resources and organization.