By Bill Hardesty | [email protected]

During the Mayor’s comment section of the April 8 City Council meeting, Mayor Cherie Wood announced she had received word there were two positive cases of COVID-19 at the 1000 West Homeless Resource Center (HRC).

However, Kat Kahn, director of development for the Road Home, only confirmed one case. The Road Home operates the 1000 West HRC.

“We can confirm that a guest who had been staying at the Men’s Resource Center in South Salt Lake City has tested positive for COVID-19. The Road Home is following guidelines set forth by the CDC (Center for Disease Control) and the Utah Department of Health, and closely working with Salt Lake County and our partners throughout this process.” Kahn said.

The resident was not returned to the HRC. The individual will either stay in the hospital or be transferred to a Salt Lake County designated isolation site.

As of Wednesday evening, the HRC no longer is accepting new residents and residents will stay in the same bed to support social distancing.

Kahn mentioned that the HRC already had in place a “rigorous cleaning protocol.” However, Kahn reported, “We have enhanced our disinfecting and cleaning procedures beyond our already high standard.”

A deep clean of the dorm areas, the common areas, and the bathrooms have already taken place.

They are asking any staff or volunteer with specific exposure to COVID-19 to quarantine at home. 

“At all times, the health and safety of our clients, employees and volunteers are our top priorities, and we are doing everything we can to keep everyone safe and limit the spread of this disease,” Kahn said.

She also pointed out that, “The strong collaboration we have built with other homeless service providers, the State, County and cities has allowed us to be nimble and quickly implement the plan we created to address this virus in our facility.”