Health & Fitness
Coronavirus: Lexington Hotel Used As Quarantine Site For Homeless
Aloft Hotels in Lexington will be used as a regional quarantine site for homeless patients that have tested positive for the virus.
LEXINGTON, MA — Aloft Hotels, a Lexington hotel, is being used as a regional quarantine site for homeless patients that have tested positive for the new coronavirus. The hotel is housing 13 patients, with the potential of adding additional rooms and patients. The hotel is one of four regional quarantine sites currently in use in Massachusetts.
The State is housing patients in hotels across Massachusetts to prevent the spread of the virus within homeless shelters. Only patients exhibiting mild symptoms are being admitted; if symptoms worsen, they will be transported to a hospital. State officials will be providing regular updates to the Lexington Office of Public Health on the number and status of patients.
Nurses are on staff around the clock to care for patients. A vendor contracted through the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency, is responsible for feeding patients, cleaning the premises, and transporting individuals under their care. MEMA has also contracted with a private firm to provide security.
Find out what's happening in Lexingtonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
If additional patients come to the hotel, additional resources will be added to accommodate the increase. During this time, no hotel staff will be in contact with patients.
Patients are not being held against their will, and they are free to return to their home community at any time. If a patient wishes to leave, they will be transported by MEMA’s vendor to their home community.
Find out what's happening in Lexingtonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The state's coronavirus case count nears 14,000 and a death toll of 260. Gov. Charlie Baker on Monday announced a new $13 million relief fund to support nonprofits working on the economic impacts of the outbreak.
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