City of Vancouver offers more support to prevent outbreak of COVID-19 in DTES

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VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) — Preventing the spread of COVID-19 in the Downtown Eastside for as long as possible is still a top priority for Vancouver, according to the mayor. Kennedy Stewart says the focus remains on protecting the city’s vulnerable people during the pandemic.

“But the serious fact is, this crisis is far from behind us,” Stewart said in a press conference Friday.

“The latest information I have is that there are no confirmed outbreaks or clusters in the Downtown Eastside,” he says, adding more measures need to be taken.

In order to keep this up for as long as possible, Stewart explained the city is increasing cleaning services and making sure people have food and necessary supplies so they can physical distance.

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Contracted cleaning services will take care of 21 of the “highest priority” private single-room occupancy residences for two weeks. Stewart called this an “unprecedented cooperation” with privately owned SROs, which he said are often not included in public health responses.

He said hygiene stations around the downtown-area expanded to now offering 41 bathrooms and 11 showers.

A food delivery service will also provide meals for about 1,100 people for two weeks.

BC Housing has also secured hundreds of hotel rooms to help people isolate themselves

The Coal Harbour and Roundhouse community centres are now open as temporary housing for homeless people, based on a referral system, and have a combined capacity. of 160. But Stewart said the centres will probably fill up in a few days.

A transition house for women and children fleeing violence is also opening up and a temporary supply distribution warehouse is now open.

Physical distancing remains an issue in the DTES, Stewart said, and the services are meant to keep the rate of community spread of COVID-19 as low as possible.

To keep these services going, the mayor said he has been in contact with senior levels of government, but is looking to the public to help, as well.

Help anyway you can

Stewart appealed to the most “fortunate people and businesses” in Vancouver able to lend a hand to do so during the pandemic.

The city already launched a website for people to offer the supplies or services if they can, which Kennedy said is still the best way to donate.

He adds hundreds of people and businesses have donated already donated to a community response fund which has collected over $8-million.

“A donation of any amount is a great way to start,” Stewart said.

With files from Marcella Bernardo

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