Disaster Preparedness in a Resettled Refugee Community: Qualitative Findings.

INTRODUCTION: Under-resourced communities face disaster preparedness challenges. Research is limited for resettled refugee communities, which have unique preparedness needs. STUDY OBJECTIVE: This study aims to assess disaster preparedness among the refugee community in Clarkston, GA. METHODS: Twenty-five semi-structured interviews were completed with community stakeholders. Convenience sampling using the snowball method was utilized until thematic saturation was reached. Thematic analysis of interviews was conducted through an inductive, iterative approach by a multidisciplinary team using manual coding and MAXQDA. RESULTS: Three themes were identified: First, prioritization of routine daily needs took precedence for families over disaster preparedness. Second, communication impacts preparedness. Community members speak different languages and often do not have proficiency in English. Access to resources in native languages and creative communication tactics are important tools. Finally, the study revealed a unique interplay between government, community-based organizations, and the refugee community. A web of formal and informal responses is vital to helping this community in times of need. CONCLUSION: The refugee community in Clarkston, GA faces challenges, and disaster preparedness may not be top of mind for them. However, clear communication, disaster preparedness planning, and collaboration between government, community-based organizations, and the community are possible areas to focus on to bolster readiness.

Screening Programs for SARS-CoV-2 Infections on a University Campus - Austin, Texas, September 30-November 30, 2020.

Colleges and universities in the United States have relied on various measures during the COVID-19 pandemic to prevent transmission of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, including implementing testing programs (1-3). These programs have permitted a safer return to campus for students by identifying infected persons and temporarily isolating them from the campus population (2,3). The University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin) implemented COVID-19 prevention measures in Fall 2020* including the following testing programs: clinic-based diagnostic testing, voluntary community screening, and targeted screening (testing of specific student populations in situations of increased transmission risk). During September 30-November 30, 2020, UT Austin students participated in tests for SARS-CoV-2, which resulted in the detection of 401 unique student cases of COVID-19 from among 32,401 tests conducted.† Among students who participated in one targeted screening program for students attending campus events, 18 (37.5%) of 48 infected students were asymptomatic at the time of their positive test result compared with 45 (23%) of 195 students identified through community testing and nine (5.8%) of 158 students identified through clinic-based testing. Targeted screening also identified a different population of students than did clinic-based and community testing programs. Infected students tested through targeted screening were more likely to be non-Hispanic White persons (chi square = 20.42; p<0.03), less likely to engage in public health measures, and more likely to have had interactions in settings where the risk for SARS-CoV-2 transmission is higher, such as restaurants, gyms, and residence halls. In addition to clinic-based SARS-CoV-2 testing at colleges and universities, complementary testing programs such as community and targeted screening might enhance efforts to identify and control SARS-CoV-2 transmission, especially among asymptomatic persons and disproportionately affected populations that might not otherwise be reached.