Whatcom identifying coronavirus quarantine and isolation facilities for homeless people
Whatcom Unified Command, the multi-governmental agency that’s directing local pandemic response, is working on identifying at least one facility for isolation and quarantine for those experiencing homelessness during the COVID-19 outbreak.
Isolation is for people who are actively experiencing symptoms of the new coronavirus but don’t need hospitalization. Quarantine is for those who have been exposed to someone who is COVID-19 positive but are not showing symptoms and do not have the ability to quarantine because of their homeless living situation, Anne Deacon, Whatcom County Health Department human services manager said during a Whatcom County Council Homeless Strategies Workgroup meeting Monday, March 30.
Deacon said Unified Command is looking at various strategies to identify options for facilities that could be used for isolation and quarantine, such as motels. She said across the nation various groups are working with motels to get rooms or entire motels that will hold people in isolation. The motel gives someone their own room, bathroom, and sometimes cooking capability, she said. Deacon said they would ensure those isolated would have food, hygiene and sanitation supplies and medical personnel to monitor people for worsening symptoms.
Unified Command is also discussing using modular homes or tents as overflow areas if more capacity is needed, she said.
Unified Command is working on finding appropriate personnel to oversee and provide services, including medical oversight of those in isolation, Deacon said. There’s also discussion about having a separate facility for people who need a higher level of intensive support, such as those who have behavioral health needs and would be at risk for heightened conditions due to change, she said.
Deacon said the strategies for isolation and quarantine will likely be finalized by the end of the week.
The money for the facilities will come from a Washington State Department of Commerce emergency housing grant that was given to Whatcom County. The grant, which lasts from March 15 to Sept. 30, is focused on funding emergency social-distancing, quarantine and isolation housing needs for unsheltered people due to the new coronavirus outbreak. The grant’s funds can be used for facility leasing, increased sanitation services, acquisition and construction for housing, planning and administration services, among other things.
The grant totaled $905,821. Of that, almost $525,000 was spent on temporarily moving the Lighthouse Mission Ministries Drop-In Center to Bellingham High School, Deacon said. That move was made so the Drop-In Center could comply with social distancing guidelines while providing emergency overnight shelter for up to 200 people experiencing homelessness.
“There was not any way to have people six feet apart at the current facility that they had and this was really important to make sure that we could immediately intervene and reduce, or at least slow, transmission,” Deacon said.
The rest of the grant money will be used for the quarantine and isolation sites, she said.
“Right now, our $900,000 sounded like a lot of money until we started to realize that in order for us to provide services to the largest number of people possible, we used it up fairly quickly,” Deacon said.
Deacon said some of the funds could also be used for hygiene supplies for people living unsheltered, or for personal protective equipment such as gloves and masks for case managers and others working with the homeless population. She said with most, if not all, of the funds going toward the Drop-In Center relocation and isolation and quarantine facilities, there likely won’t be enough left over but they would pull some money if PPE supplies become available.
The state Department of Commerce said counties that needed more money or had unmet needs could ask for more funds, but Deacon said the commerce department has told them they don’t have any more money to give out at this time.
Deacon said she could not say whether someone who is homeless had a confirmed case of the new coronavirus in Whatcom County. Deacon said they’ve been working with homeless service providers to help them be aware and monitor people and staff for symptoms, but that she couldn’t divulge confidential information. Deacon said she didn’t know of any particular people living without a home who had tested positive, but that it was safe to assume there are people who are homeless who have COVID-19.
She said Unified Command’s plan is to make sure they have a place for those people as soon as possible.
BEHIND THE STORY
MOREWhat you should know about the coronavirus
COVID-19, the new coronavirus, is a disease caused by a virus named SARS-CoV-2.
The disease is spread through contact between people within six feet of each other, especially through coughing and sneezing that expels respiratory droplets that land in the mouths or noses of people nearby.
Although most of the cases have been mild, the disease is especially dangerous for the elderly and others with weaker immune systems.
Click the drop-down icon in the upper right of this card for more information on symptoms and how to stop its spread.
What you can do
Here’s what you can do to protect yourself and others from COVID-19, according to the Whatcom County Health Department.
▪ Keep six feet between yourself and others when in public.
▪ Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
▪ Don’t touch your eyes, nose or mouth with hands that haven’t been washed.
▪ Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, throw the tissue in the trash and then wash your hands.
▪ Stay home if you feel sick. Avoid others who are sick.
▪ If your symptoms are severe and require medical care, call your doctor first.
This story was originally published March 31, 2020 at 5:00 AM.
