Several people in homeless shelters run by Catholic Charities of St. Paul and Minneapolis have tested positive for COVID-19 and are being cared for in isolation centers set up for that purpose by Hennepin and Ramsey counties, the nonprofit agency said.
“We are supporting those in our care who have been confirmed to have the virus, those who may have the virus and are yet to be tested, and are aggressively and successfully working with the MN Department of Health and others to mitigate the spread,” Tim Marx, president and CEO of Catholic Charities, said in a May 21 email to supporters of the agency as it seeks continued assistance during the pandemic.
“We have had several positive cases in both Minneapolis and St. Paul, and presume that there are people in our care who are asymptomatic and yet to be tested,” Marx told The Catholic Spirit. “We know our clients are at risk and are more likely to have underlying health conditions that make it more difficult for them to cope with and recover from illnesses like COVID-19.”
Congregate living also makes it hard to adhere to best practices such as social distancing. Steps to create safe living space include partnering with Hennepin and Ramsey counties to relocate older and more at-risk shelter guests to hotels, checking temperatures for everyone using daytime services and shelters, and adjusting meal services to prevent spread of the disease, Marx said.
“We are prepared for this,” Marx said in his email message to supporters. “Our staff, volunteers and clients are incredible and continue to work on the frontlines every single day to protect one another and our community. Your support is making it possible for us to navigate the daily twists and turns of this crisis.”
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