key: cord-0774001-thfh225w
authors: Uppal, Nishant; Chin, Elizabeth T.; Erfani, Parsa; Sandoval, Raquel Sofia; Lee, Caroline H.; Mishori, Ranit; Peeler, Katherine R.
title: Trends in Decarceration, COVID-19 Cases, and SARS-CoV-2 Testing in US Immigration Detention Centers From September 2020 to August 2021
date: 2022-02-16
journal: JAMA Netw Open
DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.48859
sha: 177deec5718e6442e1809f5e123444a21f1185bb
doc_id: 774001
cord_uid: thfh225w

This cohort study compares COVID-19 case and testing rates in US Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention centers with rates in the US population from September 2020 through August 2021.

COVID-19 case data, SARS-CoV-2 testing data, and the detained population size in US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facilities was extracted from the Vera Institute. 1 Data on the average detained population size each month was extracted from ICE. 2 Confirmed cases were provided as a daily cumulative total of detainees who have tested positive for COVID-19 while in ICE custody since testing began in February 2020. Tests were provided as a daily cumulative total of the number of detainees who were tested for SARS-CoV-2. The numbers of monthly cases and monthly tests were calculated as the differences between cumulative totals at the end of each month. A validity check was performed by using internet archives to extract historical data on cumulative monthly case and test totals from ICE. 3 This revealed an average monthly margin of error of 0 percent between both case and testing data from the Vera Institute and data from ICE.

Monthly case rates were calculated as the total number of COVID-19 cases each month divided by the average population size and then multiplied by 100,000 to report on a per 100,000 personmonths basis. Monthly testing rates were calculated as the total number of COVID-19 tests each month divided by the average population size and then multiplied by 100,000 to report on a per 100,000 person-months basis. Point estimates and min-max intervals were calculated using monthly statistics weighted by the number of days per month. Statistics for cases and tests were standardized to 30-day counts and rates.

The states containing ICE detention facilities were identified using ICE's publicly available listing of detention facilities. 4 These 29 states included Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin. COVID-19 case data and SARS-CoV-2 testing data for these states from September 2020 to August 2021 were extracted from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 5,6 and then aggregated on a monthly basis. The most recent data on state population sizes for 2019 was extracted for these states from the Census Bureau 7 and then aggregated. Monthly case rates were calculated as the total number of COVID-19 cases across all included states divided by the aggregated population size and then multiplied by 100,000 to report on a per 100,000 person-months basis. Monthly testing rates were calculated as the total number of COVID-19 tests across all included states divided by the aggregated population size and then multiplied by 100,000 to report on a per 100,000 personmonths basis. Point estimates and min-max intervals were calculated using monthly statistics weighted by the number of days per month. Statistics for cases and tests were standardized to 30day counts and rates.

Tracking COVID-19 in immigration detention

US Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Detention management

US Immigration and Customs Enforcement. ICE Guidance on COVID-19

US Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Detention Facilities

United States COVID-19 Cases and Deaths by State over Time

Trends in Number of COVID-19 Cases and Deaths in the US Reported to CDC, by State/Territory

United States Census Bureau. State Population Totals and Components of Change