View article

Since COVID-19's arrival only months ago, daily life has changed drastically due to both the threat posed by the virus and the measures implemented to halt its spread. Though often set apart from the rest of society, the relative isolation of inpatient psychiatric facilities has not spared them from COVID-19's disruptive influence or, in some cases, its devastation. In February, the virus infiltrated a South Korean psychiatric ward, infecting all but two of the facility's 100+ patients and killing seven [1]. The following month, Western State Hospital, the largest psychiatric hospital in Washington state, experienced the first outbreak in a US psychiatric facility [2]. Other outbreaks—some fatal—are now underway in several states, including in 63 state psychiatric facilities [3].

COVID-19 infection commonly causes fever, fatigue, cough and shortness of breath, with symptom onset typically occurring two to fourteen days after exposure …