1. The isolation hotel for positive COVID-19 homeless patients is ongoing although the census is reduced this week because of the number of people who have completed the process successfully and have been discharged. There are 8 patients in the isolation hotel at the moment. Referrals are still being taken from shelters, hospitals, etc. 2. The census in the non-congregate shelters is increasing- 130 people as of today. Referrals are being taken from the outreach teams that go to the encampments and from the airport teams. These facilities are for high risk persons as defined by the CDC who are unsheltered. High risk means 65 years or older or people with an underlying medical condition such as diabetes, heart issues, pulmonary problems, etc. 3, MercyCare and the Fulton Department of Health are doing targeted spot follow-up testing in locations where positive results have previously been identified. Open testing is also being done today at MercyCare’s Chamblee location on Buford Highway and will be performed at the MercyCare Clinic on 5/15. 4. The outreach effort is ongoing to the unsheltered and to the encampments to get those at risk to move to a shelter. So far 15 unsheltered have moved into a shelter. Today teams are going out to encampments in the general area of the King Center. Next week teams will go out to the tent encampments under I20 and I75/85 in downtown Atlanta. As always help is needed. If anyone wants to volunteer, they can contact Chelsea Arkin at Partners for Home. Please call 404-507-6389 or email at carkin@partnersforhome.org. 5. Meal delivery is ongoing daily from Proof of the Pudding at 10:00-11;00 am. 1200 plus meals are being delivered to the unsheltered each day. Again, anyone who would like to volunteer to help with this can contact Chelsea Arkin at Partners for Home. 404-507-6389 or carkin@partnersforhome.org. Interested volunteers can also sign up through HandOnAtlanta.
6. Funding grants are being considered by UnitedWay and by the City of Atlanta for low barrier shelters and emergency rapid rehousing. The city’s inventory in both categories is particularly low at the moment and need far exceeds inventory.