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Table of Contents
King County Isolation and Quarantine Centers are a free, safe, clean, and comfortable place to stay for people who test positive for COVID-19 or who have COVID-19 symptoms. However, not everyone will choose to utilize the Isolation and Quarantine centers while they are sick. For those individuals who would prefer to isolate or quarantine in place at their encampment, their car, or another unsheltered location, a new document is available to provide information and recommendations for staying safe and protecting others.
The CDC has released a new Checklist for Homeless Service Providers During Community Re-opening to provide facilities with additional guidance to keep guests and employees safe while continuing to provide access to services. This guidance builds upon the CDC's Interim Guidance for homeless service providers, which is also regularly updated with information and guidance on the virus and best practices in prevention and infection control.
Public Health - Seattle & King County has received reports of some shelter's in King County requiring a negative COVID test prior to allowing clients to enter the shelter. We recognize that shelters are operating in a difficult and quickly changing environment in the context of the COVID pandemic. Public Health and the King County Department of Community and Human Services are committed to supporting shelters and other homeless service organizations in their efforts to prevent and address COVID within their facilities. Continuing homeless services during the community spread of COVID-19 is critical.
Public Health recommends against requiring documentation of negative COVID test results prior to shelter (re) entry. Test results indicate the infection status of an individual at the time of that test - not at the time when the client is seeking services. In addition, declining services to people without a negative test result prevents people living homeless from receiving necessary services and has the potential to exacerbate health inequities.
Service providers should call the King County COVID Call Center (206.477.3977) with any questions about prevention, infection control, referral to the Isolation & Quarantine sites, or scheduling FAST, Strike or testing visits.
Public Health - Seattle & King County has a number of data dashboards available for review online. These dashboards include more local level data and the ability to review changes in data across time. Additional dashboards focused on race and ethnicity, economic and social impacts of the pandemic, and long term care facility specific data are also available at the same site.
Public Health - Seattle & King County created a variety of COVID-19 informational posters for people experiencing homelessness. In addition to the posters pictured below, other COVID-19 related resources and guidance can be found at www.kingcounty.gov/COVID/homeless
 COVID-19 Health Warning for People Living Homeless Poster
 COVID-19 Special Guidance: Wearing Cloth Face Coverings Poster
 COVID Bus Poster
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