There's been a coronavirus outbreak at San Francisco’s largest homeless shelter. Dozens of people who have tested positive at the MSC South Shelter are being quarantined on site. Congregate living facilities have been a major concern during this pandemic.
“We have troubling news to report with regard to an outbreak,” said San Francisco Public Health Director Grant Colfax.
The first two cases at MSC South were reported on Sunday, now seventy people including two staff members have tested positive. Those who tested negative have been moved to hotel rooms.
“I would like to assure San Franciscans that this outbreak does not mean there is significantly great risk to the general public,” said Colfax, “however it is a very serious matter.”
In a tweet, the Coalition on Homelessness said “we begged the city from day one to get homeless people into hotel rooms before an outbreak happened, and we are heartbroken and infuriated to see all our predictions come true.”
With more people sheltering at home, there are concerns about an increase in domestic violence. To address that situation, a new text-to-911 service will allow victims to contact police by text if they can’t safely make a call.
