Durham County homeless shelter reports multiple COVID-19 cases

Sheldon Mitchell said one resident had tested positive on Monday. Leaders learned of the positive test and moved the person to an isolated location for homeless people who test positive in Durham County. They also said one of two staff members that had worked with the resident had also tested positive but has since recovered and would return to work next week.

"It has stretched staff thin because some staff leave because they were not comfortable in the environment as things changed," Mitchell said.

Officials said further testing was done Wednesday and Thursday and revealed 16 additional COVID-19 cases among shelter resident. They were moved to the isolation location for homeless people who test positive.

"Staff have completed extra cleaning and disinfection in the dormitories and café, and we have scheduled a company to conduct a deep cleaning (Saturday). Public health officials have advised that all staff who have been on our Liberty Street campus since Thursday, Oct. 22, should be tested by Wednesday, Nov. 5. They did not recommend that volunteers be tested," Mitchell said in the memo.

Drew Cummings, Durham County Chief of Staff and head of the Human Services Branch in the Emergency Operations Center, said in the memo, “Durham County Public Health, management and Emergency Operations Center staff are fully engaged, as they have been throughout the pandemic, helping to support those who have tested positive and working to minimize additional infection.”

UMD officials said they are "working closely with these and other partners, including Duke medical staff, to mitigate any further spread."