This story is free to read because readers choose to support LAist. If you find value in independent local reporting, make a donation to power our newsroom today.
Local Shelters Under Quarantine As COVID Outbreaks Spread In LA County
A woman walks past a Skid Row sign pointing out a population of "Too Many" in Los Angeles on April 26, 2021.
(
Frederic J. Brown
/
AFP via Getty Images
)
Public health officials report that 150 shelters and encampments in Los Angeles County now have active COVID outbreaks.
Michael Arnold with the Midnight Mission on Skid Row said they're under quarantine — like many other shelters.
"Even if people want to come in, we're unable to accommodate them because as long as we're in outbreak status, we cannot take new people into the program," Arnold said.
Arnold said there's a lack of places in the county where people can safely isolate if they've tested positive for COVID-19.
The county has three sites where unhoused people can isolate or quarantine. There's one in Compton, another near USC and a third site in Sherman Oaks, offering a total of 213 beds.
Another 50 beds are coming this weekend to a site on Skid Row and another 100 beds may be added soon.
The county still has about 1,400 motel and hotel rooms leased for unhoused and other vulnerable people.
Sponsored message
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
