scholarly journals Testing lags and emerging COVID-19 outbreaks in federal penitentiaries: A view from Canada

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandra Blair ◽  
Abtin Parnia ◽  
Arjumand Siddiqi
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Nova Scotia ◽  
General Population ◽  
New Brunswick ◽  
Prison Population ◽  
List Type ◽  
Female Prisoners ◽  
Federal Prisons ◽  
Graphical Summary ◽  
To Come

ABSTRACTObjectivesTo provide the first known comprehensive analysis of COVID-19 outcomes in a federal penitentiary system. We examined the following COVID-19 outcomes within federal penitentiaries in Canada and contrasted them with estimates for the overall population in the penitentiaries’ respective provincial jurisdictions: testing, prevalence, the proportion recovered, and fatality.MethodsData for prisons were obtained from the Correctional Service of Canada and, for the general population, from the Esri COVID-19 Canadian Outbreak Tracking Hub. Data were retrieved between March 30 and April 21, 2020, and are accurate to this date. Penitentiary-, province- and sex-specific frequency statistics for each outcome were calculated.ResultsData on 50 of 51 penitentiaries (98%) were available. Of these, 72% of penitentiaries reported fewer tests per 1000 population than the Canadian general population average (16 tests/1000 population), and 24% of penitentiaries reported zero tests. Penitentiaries with high levels of testing were those that already had elevated COVID-19 prevalence. Five penitentiaries reported an outbreak (at least one case). Hardest hit penitentiaries were those in Quebec, Ontario, and British Columbia, with some prisons reporting COVID-19 prevalence of 30% to 40%. Of these, two were women’s prisons. Female prisoners were over-represented among cases (31% of cases overall, despite representing 5% of the total prison population).ConclusionIncreased sentinel or universal testing may be appropriate given the confined nature of prison populations. This, along with rigorous infection prevention control practices and the potential release of prisoners, will be needed to curb current outbreaks and those likely to come.GRAPHICAL SUMMARYBetween 20% and 57% fewer tests per 1000 population have been conducted in federal prisons in Saskatchewan, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Alberta than in the general population of those provinces.Though Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia are reporting lower counts of COVID-19 cases, these are also the regions reporting the lowest levels of testing.Case incidence has been highest in federal prisons in Quebec, Ontario, and British Columbia, where a total of five prisons are experiencing outbreaks (1 or more cases). These regions are those reporting the highest levels of testing – higher than the testing levels in the general population.

Chrysomyxa arctostaphyli. [Distribution map].

1999 ◽  
Author(s):  
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
British Columbia ◽  
New Mexico ◽  
Nova Scotia ◽  
North America ◽  
New Brunswick ◽  
South Dakota ◽  
Geographical Distribution ◽  
Distribution Map ◽  
New Distribution

Abstract A new distribution map is provided for Chrysomyxa arctostaphyli Dietel Fungi: Basidiomycota: Uredinales Hosts: Picea spp. and Arctostaphylos uva-ursi. Information is given on the geographical distribution in NORTH AMERICA, Canada, Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Northwest, Territories, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Quebec, Saskatchewan, Yukon, USA, Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Michigan, Montana, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin, Wyoming.

scholarly journals Mental disorders on admission to jail: A study of prevalence and a comparison with a community sample in the north of France

2020 ◽  
Vol 63 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Fovet ◽  
Laurent Plancke ◽  
Alina Amariei ◽  
Imane Benradia ◽  
Fanny Carton ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Substance Use ◽  
General Population ◽  
Substance Use Disorders ◽  
Prison Population ◽  
Community Sample ◽  
Prevalence Rates ◽  
Psychiatric Interview ◽  
Female Prisoners ◽  
The North

Abstract Background. The aim of the present study was to estimate prevalence rates of psychiatric and substance use disorders in male and female prisoners on admission to prison in the north of France and compare the frequency of these disorders to the general population. Methods. This cross-sectional survey on Mental Health in the Prison Population (MHPP), conducted between March 2014 and April 2017, interviewed 653 randomly selected men and women who had recently been committed to the French general population prison system in the Nord and Pas-de-Calais departments. For each subject, the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI), a standardized psychiatric interview, was used to screen for psychiatric and substance use disorders. The prevalence rates were then compared with data from the Mental Health in the General Population (MHGP) survey, a general population survey that used the same assessment methodology as MHPP in the Nord and Pas-de-Calais departments. A control sample was taken from the MHGP survey with a ratio of one case (MHPP) to three controls (MHGP) matching on age and sex. Results. The sample was primarily composed of French men, most of them single with low educational levels at the time of imprisonment. The mean age was 31.7 (standard deviation = 9.9; min = 18; max = 67). Most of the subjects included were first-time prisoners. The prevalence of affective disorders among newly incarcerated individuals was 31.2% with higher rates for major depressive disorder (27.2%). The prevalence of anxiety disorders was 44.4% with higher rates for generalized anxiety disorder (25.2%). The prevalence of psychotic syndromes was 6.9%. The prevalence of substance use disorders was 53.5% and a suicide risk was identified in 31.4% of the prisoners interviewed. Higher prevalence rates were found in the MHPP when compared with the MHGP for all psychiatric and substance use disorders assessed except for dysthymia and current isolated psychotic syndrome. Conclusions. Our study shows very high levels of prevalence for psychiatric and substance use disorders in recently committed French prisoners.

Checklist of oribatid mites (Acari: Oribatida) of Canada and Alaska

Zootaxa ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 4666 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-180 ◽  
Author(s):  
VALERIE M. BEHAN-PELLETIER ◽  
ZOË LINDO
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Czech Republic ◽  
Nova Scotia ◽  
New Brunswick ◽  
Northwest Territories ◽  
Prince Edward Island ◽  
National Park ◽  
Undescribed Species ◽  
The Czech Republic ◽  
Large Numbers

This checklist of the oribatid fauna of Canada and Alaska (excluding Astigmata) includes 580 identified species in 249 genera and 96 families. The known fauna of Canada includes 556 identified species in 247 genera, and that of Alaska includes 182 species in 95 genera; 39 of the 42 oribatid superfamilies are represented. We further list ~ 300 species that are currently unidentified, and possibly undescribed. In addition, we list 42 genera that are represented only by unidentified and probably undescribed species. For each species we give combinations and synonymies, specific locations in Alaska and the Provinces and Territories of Canada, habitats, and biogeography.                There are 182 identified species known for Alaska, 152 for Yukon, 122 for Northwest Territories, 58 for Nunavut; 210 for British Columbia, 213 for Alberta, 15 for Saskatchewan, 84 for Manitoba, 167 for Ontario, 210 for Québec, 110 for Nova Scotia, 77 for New Brunswick, 84 for Newfoundland and 6 for Prince Edward Island. The known fauna of Canada is smaller than that of Austria, and is approximately equivalent to that of the Czech Republic. As these countries are much smaller in size than Canada and less ecologically diverse, we consider the Canadian and Alaskan fauna are at most 25% known. The paucity of these data reflects the absence of taxonomic and faunistic studies on Oribatida in State, Provinces or Territories, and especially in the Canadian and Alaskan National Park systems and the hundreds of Provincial Parks.                Despite the almost 90% increase in described species since the catalogue of Marshall et al. (1987), there is a need for focussed, coordinated research on Oribatida in the natural regions throughout Canada and Alaska, and for monographs on families and genera with large numbers of undescribed species, such as Brachychthoniidae, Damaeidae, Cepheidae, Liacaridae, Oppiidae, Suctobelbidae, Hydrozetidae, Phenopelopidae, Scheloribatidae, Haplozetidae and Galumnidae. 

Chrysomyxa weirii. [Descriptions of Fungi and Bacteria].

1970 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. C. Sutton
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Nova Scotia ◽  
New Brunswick ◽  
Geographical Distribution ◽  
Picea Engelmannii

Abstract A description is provided for Chrysomyxa weirii. Information is included on the disease caused by the organism, its transmission, geographical distribution, and hosts. HOSTS: On Picea engelmannii, P. glauca, P. mariana, P. rubens, P. schrenkiana, P. sitchensis and other Picea spp. DISEASE: Needle rust of spruce caused by localized telia which are restricted to needles, causing limited to severe defoliation (Tripp, Stevenson & Baranyay, 1966). GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION: Scattered throughout Canada and the mainly western states of U.S.A., including reports from British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, Canada and Idaho, Montana, Oregon, W. Virginia, Tennessee and Washington, U.S.A. Also reported from Kazakhstan S.S.R. by Nevodovskii (1956). TRANSMISSION: Unknown.

Cronartium comptoniae. [Distribution map].

1992 ◽  
Author(s):  
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Nova Scotia ◽  
North America ◽  
New Brunswick ◽  
Geographical Distribution ◽  
Northern Territory ◽  
Distribution Map ◽  
Myrica Gale ◽  
New Distribution

Abstract A new distribution map is provided for Cronartium comptoniae J.C. Arthur. Hosts: Hard pines (Pinus spp.), Comptonia peregrina and Myrica gale). Information is given on the geographical distribution in North America, Canada, Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Quebec, Saskatchewan, Northern Territory, USA.

scholarly journals Distributional Status of an Introduced Land Snail Discus rotundatus (Rotund Disc, Mollusca: Discidae) in Canada

2016 ◽  
Vol 130 (3) ◽  
pp. 236
Author(s):  
Robert G Forsyth ◽  
John E Maunder ◽  
Donald F McAlpine ◽  
Ronald G Noseworthy
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Nova Scotia ◽  
North America ◽  
New Brunswick ◽  
First Record ◽  
Land Snail ◽  
Avalon Peninsula

First collected in North America in 1937 on the Avalon Peninsula of the Island of Newfoundland, the introduced, primarily European land snail, Discus rotundatus, has now been recorded from the Island of Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Quebec, Ontario, and British Columbia. We review all known records from Canada, demonstrate that D. rotundatus is more widespread than was previously recognized on the Island of Newfoundland, and report the first record from New Brunswick.

Revision of the Nearctic Silusa (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae, Aleocharinae)

2003 ◽  
Vol 135 (2) ◽  
pp. 159-186 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jan Klimaszewski ◽  
Greg Pohl ◽  
Georges Pelletier
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
New York ◽  
British Columbia ◽  
New Species ◽  
Nova Scotia ◽  
New Brunswick ◽  
New Hampshire ◽  
Previous Record ◽  
New Synonyms ◽  
A New Species

AbstractA revision of the Canadian species of the genus Silusa Erichson is presented. In this contribution, we treat six species recently discovered in Canada, one of which is a new species from Alberta, Silusa langori Klimaszewski sp. nov. The distribution records for two species are greatly expanded. Silusa californica Bernhauer is now known from Alaska, Minnesota, Alberta, Quebec, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia (previous records: British Columbia, California). Silusa vesperis Casey is now known from Washington and British Columbia (previous record: California). For two other species, there are first records for Canada and one new United States state record. Silusa alternans Sachse is now known from Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and New Hampshire (previous records: Georgia, New York), and Silusa densa Fenyes is now known from Alberta (previous record: California). Silusa valens Casey is here considered as a synonym of S. alternans. Silusa rutilans Casey and S. modica Casey are confirmed to belong to Leptusa Kraatz, and both are here considered as new synonyms of Leptusa canonica Casey. Silusa gracilis Sachse and S. nanula Casey are also confirmed to belong to the genus Leptusa. The following lectotypes are newly designated for species described on the basis of syntypes: S. alternans Sachse and S. californica Bernhauer. New data are provided on the systematics, relationships, bionomics, and distribution for all Nearctic species of America north of Mexico. Diagnoses and illustrations of external and genital features are provided for all species, and the distribution of each is discussed and shown on maps. A key to the species occurring in Canada is presented.

scholarly journals A time-series analysis of testing and COVID-19 outbreaks in Canadian federal prisons to inform prevention and surveillance efforts

2021 ◽  
Vol 47 (1) ◽  
pp. 66-76
Author(s):  
Alexandra Blair ◽  
Abtin Parnia ◽  
Arjumand Siddiqi
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Time Series ◽  
General Population ◽  
Disease Outbreaks ◽  
Health Agency ◽  
Outcome Data ◽  
Female Prisoners ◽  
Federal Prisons ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Susceptible Populations

Background: Approximately 14,000 adults are currently incarcerated in federal prisons in Canada. These facilities are vulnerable to disease outbreaks and an assessment of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) testing and outcomes is needed. The objective of this study was to examine outcomes of COVID-19 testing, prevalence, case recovery and death within federal prisons and to contrast these data with those of the general population. Methods: Public time-series outcome data for prisoners and the general population were obtained on-line from the Correctional Service of Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada, respectively, from March 30 to May 27, 2020. Prison, province and sex-specific frequency statistics for each outcome were calculated. A total of 50 facilities were included in this study. Results: Of these 50 facilities, 64% reported fewer individuals tested per 1,000 population than observed in the general population and 12% reported zero tests in the study period. Testing tended to be reactive, increasing only once prisons had recorded positive tests. Six prisons reported viral outbreaks, with three recording over 20% cumulative COVID-19 prevalence among prisoners. Cumulatively, in prisons, 29% of individuals tested received a positive result, compared to 6% in the general population. Two of the 360 cases died (0.6% fatality). Four outbreaks appeared to be under control (more than 80% of cases recovered); however, sizeable susceptible populations remain at risk of infection. Female prisoners (5% of the total prisoner population) were over-represented among cases (17% of cases overall). Conclusion: Findings suggest that prison environments are vulnerable to widespread severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) transmission. Gaps in testing merit public health attention. Symptom-based testing alone may not be optimal in prisons, given observations of widespread transmission. Increased sentinel or universal testing may be appropriate. Increased testing, along with rigorous infection prevention practices and the potential release of prisoners, will be needed to curb future outbreaks.

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