Testing for SARS-CoV-2 at the core of voluntary collective isolation: Lessons from the indigenous populations living in the Amazon region in Ecuador.

Abstract

Voluntary collective isolation has been proposed as the best response to COVID-19 for indigenous populations. While the potential value of voluntary collective isolation is appealing, the feasibility of this approach needs empirical evidence to support it as the best response to protect indigenous communities from COVID-19. Here we described our experience doing SARS-CoV-2 surveillance at Waorani communities from June to September 2020 on the Amazonia, showing that self isolation strategies failed to contain COVID-19 spread.