Fourth and Hope’s adult emergency shelter recently experienced a COVID outbreak in February. After notifying Yolo County Public Health, the first round of testing was done including the immediate implementation of additional health and safety measures. After the second round of test results indicated continued disease spread, program staff worked closely and quickly with the Public Health team to move all 53 shelter guests into quarantine at a Project Room Key location, which already had space, quarantine requirements, and resources available. All 53 guests were moved within one and a half days to the location.

Shelter guests completed their 10-day quarantine on February 18 and are now moved back to the shelter. The shelter program has reinforced existing health and safety protocols, added staff to help maintain compliance and implemented new mitigation measures, including a partnership with Healthy Davis Together for weekly testing services. “We are extremely grateful for this new partnership and its role in keeping both clients and staff safe during these challenging times. It is the result of an ongoing and very supportive collaboration with the County and City,” stated Doug Zeck, Fourth and Hope’s Executive Director. This quick and amazing response was a collaborative effort between the City of Woodland, Yolo County, and Fourth and Hope staff.