Durham Region Health Department is planning to increase testing at shelter locations to assess the current Covid-19 status of this vulnerable population.
As the increased testing may result in an increase in active cases and possible declaration of outbreak at one or more shelter settings, it is important to identify positive Covid-19 cases early to help manage and prevent further outbreak, said a statement.
With the support of Public Health and Paramedic Services, all of Cornerstone’s shelter, transitional and Community Residential Facility clients were voluntarily tested for Covid-19 this week. With their co-operation, they are helping the Region to stay #DurhamStrong and #FlattenTheCurve, the statement added.
Since the onset of Covid-19 in the community, the Region of Durham has been actively co-ordinating and enhancing supports for unsheltered residents, including:
- Working with community partners to open access to public washroom and shower facilities.
- Made support funding available for not-for-profit organizations providing homelessness supports.
- We expanded the mandate of the overnight warming centres to support the shelter system.
- Working with shelter operators and public health officials to ensure that staff, volunteers and guests are doing everything they can to prevent the spread of Covid-19 and support clients who have symptoms.
- Secured hotel partnerships to expand capacity of the shelter system to ensure physical distancing, isolation of at-risk clients, and isolation of clients pending test results.
Individuals who wish to access these services are also advised that these support agencies are following the advice of the Region’s Health Department, to help prevent the spread of illness. This includes practising proper hand hygiene and social distancing; coughing or sneezing into one’s sleeve or a tissue; active screening by staff at entrances; and increasing cleaning and disinfecting measures.
“The increased testing in congregate settings such as shelters and warming centres will help us more effectively identify and contain cases among at risk groups. Increased identification of cases is an important step in ensuring that we address the needs of our vulnerable populations to help reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19 in these community settings,” said Dr. Robert Kyle, Medical Officer of Health.
Camp Samac to shelter homeless
Hotel partnerships have been made to support unsheltered residents who need to isolate, transportation arrangements have been identified, and connections with the health care sector have strengthened. In addition, Scouts Canada is providing use of one of their private Camp Samac cabins in Oshawa to support individuals experiencing homelessness in maintaining physical distancing and social isolation practices.
One lodge at Camp Samac is operational as of May 1 to provide additional shelter space for unsheltered residents in Durham. A second lodge will be used for staff or agency space and to securely store clients’ belongings.
The Christian Faith Outreach Centre in Ajax and the First Light Foundation of Hope in Oshawa will be the lead agencies on site. On-site security will be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to provide support and ensure the safety of residents.
Camp Samac was chosen for this purpose because the lodges are intended to temporarily house people and they already have beds in place. There is also space available for staff to be able to provide daytime activities and services to try and keep the clients engaged and active. People are being encouraged to avoid non-essential trips within their community to prevent the spread of Covid-19 and Camp Samac allows for a space to provide this support.
“The Region of Durham is committed to maintaining the health and safety of all residents. We are all doing our best to follow public health direction to stay at home, but we must remember that not everyone has a home. During this emergency situation, it is more important than ever not to let anyone fall through the cracks. We thank Scouts Canada for working closely with the Region to permit the use of Camp Samac as a temporary location to provide shelter for our unsheltered residents. The site will be staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with appropriate security in place. We are fortunate to live in a community where we can help those in need respond to this pandemic. Doing so helps all of us to flatten the curve,” said Stella Danos-Papaconstantinou, Commissioner of Social Services.
CLICK FOR MORE NEWS ABOUT COVID-19
ALSO READ: