Atlanta Rolls Out New Measures As COVID-19 Affects People Who Are Homeless
Two members of the Mercy Care street medicine team are shown last year, checking on people living in tents in the shade of a downtown Atlanta underpass. People who are homeless are at greater risk for catching the COVID-19 virus. If they’re living in shelters, then they’re in close proximity with others. If they’re outside, they’re likely without soap and water.
BITA HONARVAR / For WABE
The coronavirus outbreak already has affected people who are homeless in Atlanta. At least four have tested positive.
The city is working with service providers to roll out new measures to increase testing and isolating people who are homeless with the virus this week.
Outreach teams are starting by visiting encampments to educate people about the risk of the coronavirus and how to prevent its spread, according to a statement from the city. They’re also bringing hand sanitizer and hygiene kits.
Next, the teams will screen people for symptoms. Homeless shelters already have been checking their residents for fevers or coughs.
The plan from the Atlanta Continuum of Care, a city-managed collection of service providers, is to set up testing sites specifically for people who are homeless, said Tom Andrews, CEO of St. Joseph’s Health System, which includes Mercy Care.
Once someone shows symptoms, Grady Hospital has agreed to transport that person to a testing site at cost to the city, Andrews said. Then, without a home to self-quarantine, that person will have to wait in isolation for the results of the test.
“If the person was negative, then we would be able to send them back to the shelter. If it was positive, then we would send them to isolation,” Andrews said.
The city is working to set up isolation sites now, Andrews said. Many shelters do not have space to quarantine residents.
Of the four people who have tested positive for the COVID-19 virus, two came from the same facility, according to a statement from the city. One has already recovered.
People who are homeless are at greater risk for catching the COVID-19 virus. If they’re living in shelters, then they’re in close proximity with others. If they’re outside, they’re likely without soap and water.
Last week, Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms announced $7 million in emergency funding to address the coronavirus crisis. She dedicated $1 million for people who are homeless.
The mayor chairs a committee set up by Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp specifically tasked with addressing the effects of the outbreak on people without homes.
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