Homeless man treated for coronavirus is discharged back on the streets
A HOMELESS man who tested positive for coronavirus at a local hospital is now back on the streets.
The unidentified man tested positive for COVID-19 at St. Joseph’s Hospital last week in Texas, KHOU reported.
A homeless man who tested positive for COVID-19 at a Texas hospital was discharged back onto the streets[/caption]
The unidentified man was diagnosed at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Houston (pictured)[/caption]
“St. Joe’s had him in the ICU for several days and now he’s been released and unfortunately, they released him to the streets,” Tommy Thompson, CEO of Open Door Mission, told the news outlet.
Local homeless advocates knew of the man and tried to find him a place to stay – but the hospital released him instead, with nowhere to go.
Thompson now worries that the patient has put plenty of others at risk in Houston.
“It spreads so quickly,” he said.
“You look at the encampments that are all around town, you know one person gets it, they’re going to get it.
Local officials fear that the man may have put thousands of others at risk[/caption]
In a statement Tuesday, St. Joseph’s said it is “following the guidelines” put in place by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention and the Houston Health Department for treating and discharging suspected coronavirus patients.
“St. Joseph’s Medical Center continues to work closely with the City of Houston and the Houston Health Department on efforts related to COVID-19 and the greater Houston community,” a spokeswoman for the hospital said.
Homeless advocates worry that the virus will quickly spread through homeless encampments[/caption]
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However, Harris County officials told the news station they’re trying to prevent situations like this from happening.
“We have been planning for a scenario where we have to house folks that test positive,” said Francisco Sanchez, Emergency Management Coordinator for the Harris County Office.
“Certainly the case at St. Joseph’s brought that to the forefront.”
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