Infection control challenges during 4 years of COVID-19 in a French psychiatric institution (2020-2024)

Objectives: The COVID-19 pandemic posed unprecedented infection control challenges for psychiatric facilities. Methods: We examined 4-year COVID-19 infection control challenges in acute psychiatric care (general adult, closed, adolescent, and psychogeriatric units) and residential psychiatric care (medicalized and specialized facilities) from week 11 of 2020 to week 20 of 2024. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and antigen rapid diagnostic tests (Ag-RDTs) were analyzed according to admission timing, age, sex, wave patterns, care settings, and outbreaks. Results: <0.01), with closed units showing intermediate rates (39.0%, N = 244). Conclusion: Nosocomial COVID-19 is common in psychiatric settings, and effective risk management strategies for airborne diseases must be tailored to psychiatric care settings, patient behaviors, and rapid control measures.