4 coronavirus cases confirmed among Utah’s homeless

Visitors tour the new men’s resource center in South Salt Lake on Oct. 28, 2019. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

2 men in South Salt Lake center, 2 unsheltered test positive for COVID-19

SOUTH SALT LAKE — Salt Lake County officials had worried not if, but when the coronavirus would begin spreading among Utah’s homeless population.

More cases are showing up — indicating that spread has already happened.

After officials reported the first COVID-19 case confirmed in the 300-bed South Salt Lake Men’s Resource Center, 3380 S. 1000 West, another case tested positive in that same shelter later Thursday — a man living in a separate dorm from the first patient, Chloe Morroni, Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson’s spokeswoman, confirmed Friday.

Two other cases were also confirmed Friday among Salt Lake County’s unsheltered homeless population.

“You’ve got four in the homeless community that are confirmed right now,” Morroni said.

The first patient confirmed to test positive Thursday was identified only as a man over the age of 60. Morroni did not immediately have more information Friday about the other individuals who have tested positive.

Thursday, Wilson said the first patient who tested positive was transported to the hospital as soon as he started showing symptoms for treatment and testing. Morroni said the second patient was also transported from the South Salt Lake center and taken to a hospital.

As of Thursday morning, Wilson said at least 24 individuals who were identified of being “high risk” of infection were transported to a county-operated quarantine facility that officials have spent weeks setting up for populations, like the homeless, who are unable to self-quarantine. County officials have declined to disclose the location of the facility, though they have eyed county-owned recreation centers, libraries and senior centers as options.

Wilson said the Road Home, which operates the South Salt Lake center, has been implementing extra disinfectant measures to help prevent the virus’ spread. Thursday, the South Salt Lake center stopped accepting new clients. Morroni said clients’ temperatures are still being taken three times a day to monitor for symptoms.

Wilson credited the Road Home and the Salt Lake County Health Department for their efforts and for acting quickly to move high-risk clients into a quarantine center.

“Of course, we knew given the aggressive nature of the virus that we would face this. It’s heartbreaking when it happens, but we are on it,” Wilson said.

This story will be updated.

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