Homeless Health Field Assessment, Support and Technical Assistance Team (FAST Team)
A FAST Team provides on-site assessment, support and technical assistance to homeless/supportive housing programs responding to COVID-19 to:
- Assess sanitation guideline and infection control compliance
- Assess need for supplies and connect to supply ordering structure
-
Reinforce procedures for handling suspected cases
Please email COVIDHomelessnessResponse@kingcounty.gov to request a consultation with the FAST Team.
Free COVID-19 Testing for People At High Risk and Without Access to Health Care
Free COVID-19 testing is now available from Public Health - Seattle & King County for people with symptoms of COVID-19 who are at highest risk for severe illness from the disease and don't have regular access to health care.
Symptomatic health care providers, workers in congregate care settings and people working in critical infrastructure occupations will also be served.
Where and when:
- Downtown Public Health Center at 2124 4th Ave in Seattle.
- No appointment needed. Walk up hours are Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
This clinic will specifically serve people with symptoms in the following categories:
- Individuals in high risk groups (e.g., elderly, underlying medical conditions, pregnant women, and people living homeless)
- Healthcare workers or workers in congregate care settings (including: hospital, department of corrections, juvenile detention centers, mental/behavioral health clinics, long-term care facilities, permanent supportive housing and shelters)
- People working in critical infrastructure occupations (e.g. congregate settings such as homeless shelters)
Please note: when you arrive, please remain at least 6 feet away from others. We may ask you to wear a mask while you are screened and awaiting testing.
For more information on COVID-19, visit www.kingcounty.gov/covid
Additional COVID Testing Sites for People Experiencing Homelessness as of 3/25/20
-
Swedish: near 3rd and Jackson near three permanent supportive housing sites
-
Neighborcare Housing & Street Outreach Team: Testing at various shelters & permanent supportive housing, identified by our partners (DESC & Plymouth Housing & Catholic Housing), mainly along the 3rd avenue corridor downtown. Efforts will be targeted at shelters and permanent supportive housing residents who are symptomatic and for whom testing would change management.
-
Community Health Clinics:
- International Community Health Services (International District)
- Drive-through testing at the International District location. Testing efforts may extend to other sites as circumstance allows.
- Seattle Indian Health Board
- A combination of walk-in and scheduled appointments. Testing will take place in-clinic and will be performed in a respiratory isolation wing.
- Sea Mar
- Scheduled patients/appointments and walk-ins. In the process of implementing outdoor testing. Not doing community testing at this time.
- Health Point
- Auburn, Bothell, Kent, Tukwila and Midway are doing testing outside; sister clinics also refer patients for testing.
- Drive-through testing at Powell St, Renton.
- Neighborcare
- Ballard: walk-in starting 3/27
- St Vincent de Paul: walk-in
- Rainier Beach: referral by medical provider/appointment
-
Call Center & Mobile Assessment Team: notify the King County Call Center if there is concern about COVID-like-illness circulating in a shelter or other congregate housing facility. A disease investigator will follow-up to gather more information and Public Health will deploy a Mobile Assessment Team to do testing at the facility if advised.
Information on Isolation and Quarantine Facilities
For those who cannot self-isolate or quarantine in their own home and for those who do not have a home, King County is creating isolation and quarantine sites at multiple locations. Isolation and quarantine is a proven public health practice for reducing the spread of disease.
Examples of people who may need this assistance include people who do not have a separate bedroom in their home away from a family member who is elderly or medically fragile, students in congregate dormitory settings, or people experiencing homelessness.
One King County resident needing a safe place for isolation and quarantine is currently staying at the Kent Central Avenue motel location. Individuals can only be placed into these sites after a health professional with Public Health - Seattle & King County has determined that they need isolation or quarantine.
More information about King County's Isolation and Quarantine planning is available on this slide deck.
King County Hosting Semi-Weekly Calls on sanitation/hygiene and other COVID Guidance Homeless Service Providers:
Every Tuesday and Thursday in March 11 AM -11:30 AM
These calls provide the opportunity for homeless service providers to share questions or concerns about sanitation/hygiene or King County’s interim COVID guidance for homeless service providers. These calls are open to all staff of homeless service agencies. During these Q&A calls King County staff will be available to answer homeless service providers questions on COVID and hygiene and sanitation.
|
