From Scientific American: “Patients with serious mental illness are already part of a vulnerable population that may be grappling with unstable housing, poverty, addiction, other medical conditions and limited health literacy. As a result, they may be at increased risk for acquiring and developing complications from COVID-19. Further, the set-up of inpatient psychiatry units, which typically includes open interactions between patients and staff, group therapy and communal meals, could increase the risks of infectious disease transmission. According to one estimate, there had been more than 1,450 COVID-19 cases in state mental health facilities across 23 states and the District of Columbia as of April 16. Other countries, such as Canada, China and South Korea, have also grappled with COVID-19 outbreaks in mental health facilities.”
