In August 2020, Spinal Injury Rehabilitation Centre (SIRC) experienced the largest COVID-19 outbreak among individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) to date. We believe our experience and lessons learned may help others in the SCI community with future prevention, mitigation, and response planning.

SIRC is a free-standing, 51-bed acute rehabilitation hospital in the lower-middle income country of Nepal. Our daily census is above capacity, averaging 70 patients. We provide care for ~300 individuals with SCI and 50 individuals with stroke or traumatic brain injury every year. Average age of individuals with SCI is 36 years and stroke is 57 years. All individuals admitted are required to have a caregiver (usually an immediate family member) stay with them to assist with daily activities. Many patients have several family members staying with them. Patients stay in large wards containing 20–30 hospital beds. Caregivers sleep on low beds next to patients. Meals are taken from one communal cafeteria and are eaten in common areas.

Log in or create a free account to read this content

Gain free access to this article, as well as selected content from this journal and more on nature.com

Access through your institution

or

Sign in or create an account
Continue with Google
Continue with ORCiD