The County of Sonoma, City of Santa Rosa and Catholic Charities are responding to positive cases of COVID-19 at the Samuel L. Jones Hall Homeless Shelter (SJH). Catholic Charities, which operates SJH, first became aware of a potential exposure on Friday, July 2, 2021 when two individuals who had been staying at the shelter tested positive. 

Following is the latest information available on current COVID-19 cases associated with SJH: (Updated July 14, 2021) 

·       # of total potential exposures (shelter residents): 156

·       # of positive cases: 59 confirmed (26 may be positive, but their status has not yet been confirmed)

·       # of hospitalizations: 5 (9 total, 4 have been released)

·       # of confirmed fully vaccinated positive cases: 28

·       Next testing date: Thursday, July 15, 2021 

Background Information

Following protocols that are in place for COVID-19 shelter exposures, SJH was closed to new shelter intakes on Friday, July 2, and Catholic Charities immediately reached out to the Sonoma County Department of Health Services to quickly implement testing of all shelter residents and staff members. The SJH Shelter Annex, which is adjacent to the main shelter building, was established as an isolation area for shelter residents who tested positive. Twice-a-week testing has been implemented to monitor and manage potential spread. SJH will remain closed to new intakes until at least two weeks after the last COVID-positive test result.

Alternate Care Site Opened July 14, 2021

On July 13, 2021, the County of Sonoma opened an Alternate Care Site (ACS) to provide additional space to isolate COVID-positive individuals. The County took this action in response to an increase in COVID-19 cases, particularly within the homeless community, including the cases at SJH. Transfer of COVID-positive individuals from the isolation site at the SJH Annex to the ACS, which has capacity for up to 60 residents, began on July 14, 2021. A joint news release issued by the County and City on July 14 provides more information about the ACS and the broader issue of increased COVID-19 transmission in Sonoma County: READ NEWS RELEASE

Isolation Site at SJH Shelter Annex

48 COVID-positive individuals will remain housed in the isolation site at SJH Shelter Annex, these are the individuals who are the furthest along in their 10-day isolation period. 24-hour medical care and catered food delivery is available onsite, and increased security, portable toilets and handwashing stations, and facility sanitation are being provided.