Whatcom Unified Command opens isolation facility at Motel 6 in Bellingham
Whatcom Unified Command has opened an isolation and quarantine facility at Bellingham motel for people diagnosed with COVID-19 who are unable to stay at home safely.
Motel 6 on Samish Way near Interstate 5 is meant for people to care for themselves in isolation, according to a press release from the unified command Thursday, April 23.
Opening of the facility comes two weeks after Whatcom County asked the Federal Emergency Management Agency to pay $1.34 million to open the facility, according to an earlier story in The Bellingham Herald.
It’s designed to allow people who live in crowded homes or who are homeless to isolate themselves and quarantine to limit the spread of the new coronavirus.
Motel 6 can house 58 people in rooms that have their own bathrooms and entrances, according to a letter from John Gargett, deputy director of the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office, to Washington state’s representative to FEMA.
Thursday’s news release did not say how many rooms were available.
No one has yet to be housed at the facility as of Saturday, April 25, according to Claudia Murphy, joint information center spokeswoman.
In a briefing to the Whatcom County Council on Tuesday, April 21, Gargett said that contracts were set and six rooms were ready for occupants.
Three rooms are set aside for medical and office staff and supplies, and a guard shack and fencing were in place.
He said more rooms couldn’t be opened because officials were waiting for additional plastic mattress covers.
“Once those are acquired then additional rooms can be opened up,” Gargett said.
“We’re down to a somewhat operational level, at least with the six rooms,” he said.
A plan for security cameras was scrapped because they were too expensive, he said.
In addition, an order of more small refrigerators and microwaves has been delayed, Gargett said.
McDonald’s will provide food on Sundays because the regular food vendor couldn’t provide food on Sundays.
Linen and cleaning service also will be supplied.
Six more rooms could be available this week, said unified command’s Tara Sundin.
“It’s pretty frustrating,” said Brad Bennett, Whatcom County finance director. “We actually need to outfit the rooms in blocks. The stuff that we’re trying to buy isn’t available.”
To be stay at the facility, people must get a referral from a Whatcom County health care provider, according to the news release. Examples of providers include a primary care provider, the hospital and Ground-level Response And Coordinated Engagement team, which assists vulnerable residents.
The referral agency must complete a referral for an isolation and quarantine facility, release of information form, code of conduct and a voluntary quarantine isolation agreement.
The release emphasized that this facility is not like a hospital.
“This facility is housing designed for temporary use during medically required isolation and quarantine for those whose condition does not warrant a higher level of care,” the release wrote.
Social workers from St. Joseph hospital are in charge of bed control for the facility 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily. The isolation facility staff is from SeaMar Community Health Center and Lighthouse Mission Ministries.
This story was originally published April 24, 2020 at 5:00 AM.
