Ontology highlight
ABSTRACT: Objective
To describe the operationalisation of a novel outdoor quarantine facility managed by the Australian Medical Assistance Team, the Howard Springs International Quarantine Facility (HSIQF) at the Centre for National Resilience in the Northern Territory, Australia.Methods
We collated documentation and data from HSIQF to describe policies and procedures implemented and performed a descriptive analysis of key procedures and outcomes.Results
From 23 October 2020 to 31 March 2021, 2.2% (129/5,987) of residents were confirmed COVD-19 cases. On average per day, 82 [Interquartile Range (IQR): 29-95] staff completed personal protective equipment (PPE) training, 94 [IQR: 90-104] staff completed antigen testing and 51 [IQR: 32-136] staff completed polymerase chain reaction testing. The operation focused on building a safe environment with infection prevention and control adherence and workforce sustainability. There was no leakage of SARS-CoV-2 to staff or the community and no PPE compromises requiring staff to quarantine for 14 days.Conclusion
HSIQF demonstrates the operationalisation of an effective, safe and replicable quarantine system.Implications for public health
Quarantine is a critical public health tool for pandemic control. The HSIQF operations may be useful to inform the establishment and management of quarantine facilities for future and current disease outbreaks.
SUBMITTER: Curtis SJ
PROVIDER: S-EPMC9349389 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Oct
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

Curtis Stephanie J SJ Trewin Abigail A McDermott Kathleen K Were Karen K Walczynski Tracy T Notaras Len L Walsh Nick N
Australian and New Zealand journal of public health 20220707 5
<h4>Objective</h4>To describe the operationalisation of a novel outdoor quarantine facility managed by the Australian Medical Assistance Team, the Howard Springs International Quarantine Facility (HSIQF) at the Centre for National Resilience in the Northern Territory, Australia.<h4>Methods</h4>We collated documentation and data from HSIQF to describe policies and procedures implemented and performed a descriptive analysis of key procedures and outcomes.<h4>Results</h4>From 23 October 2020 to 31 ...[more]