Medical sheltering sites serve people experiencing homelessness and anyone who cannot safely isolate or quarantine in their own home. These sites isolate and quarantine symptomatic and COVID positive people. The goal is to add 2,000 rooms, using RVs, hotels and motels where the following people can isolate and quarantine:

• COVID positive and need to isolate and shelter in place.
• Symptomatic and need to be isolated waiting for test results.
• People experiencing homelessness who are not symptomatic but have been exposed to COVID-positive individuals.

Project Roomkey is specifically for people experiencing homelessness. This new network of hotel and motel sites shelter and safely isolate asymptomatic and highly vulnerable people experiencing homelessness, to prevent their exposure to coronavirus. This project is funded by the state and FEMA, with an ultimate goal of 15,000 rooms across Los Angeles.

Referrals to these sites are made by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (DPH). Walk-ups are not accepted.

The only clients allowed to stay here are:

• Clients who have tested positive for COVID-19; or
• Clients who show symptoms of COVID-19 (for example have a fever, cough, or difficulty breathing) and/or are waiting for their test results.

If you have been exposed to COVID-19 and are need of a place to Isolate and Quarantine, please call toll Free 1-833-540-0473: Operators are standing by to assist you Monday-Sunday, 8AM-8:30 PM

County medical sheltering sites will accept individuals from the local community that are referred through DPH. The socio-economic status of individuals needing medical sheltering is not a determining factor in terms of who gets placed.

For more information visit: http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/media/Coronavirus/

Los Angeles County has drive-up mobile testing sites for the public. Follow these steps if you are interested in being tested:

• Register on the screening website, COVID19.lacounty.gov/testing.
• Answer basic questions including name, date of birth, address, and whether you are exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms such as fever, coughing, and difficulty breathing.
• The website (in real time) determines your testing eligibility and will identify the nearest testing site.
• If you are eligible, you will receive a registration number by email. You will need to bring this registration number to the test site.

If you do not have access to the Internet or a computer, dial 2-1-1 for help making an appointment. If you do not have access to a vehicle, you can still be tested, as long as you have an appointment. Testing sites can accommodate pedestrians. There are, however, NO walk-up appointments. For a full list of locations and answers to questions about testing, go to covid19.lacounty.gov.

No, stays at the medical sheltering sites are free.

The County contracts with hotel and motel operators to book rooms, negotiates group rates, and develops a contract unique to each site. The County is funding the medical sheltering program and will submit a reimbursement request to FEMA’s Public Assistance Program for up to 75 percent of the cost.

The Department of Health Services’ Emergency Medical Services (EMS) is handling transportation of clients to the medical sheltering sites and to hospitals when critical needs arise.

Each client is first interviewed by medical personnel onsite before they are escorted to their room. Medical personnel are managing this process directly onsite.

The Department of Health Services (DHS) Housing for Health, the Department of Public Health (DPH), and in partnership with other third party providers, will provide medical care onsite. County staff will provide management and staff which will support onsite logistics. Other wraparound services that are provided include meal delivery, sanitation, laundry and mental health support.

The County has contracted with private security firms to provide 24/7 security, ensuring the health and safety of the clients and staff.

No, clients assigned to medical sheltering must remain in quarantine or must self-isolate.  Clients in the facility have either tested positive for COVID-19 or are awaiting test results and currently exhibiting symptoms -- but their symptoms are still mild enough to not merit hospitalization.

The main goal of COVID-19 medical shelters is to provide a safe place where clients can both recover from symptoms and also isolate themselves so that they do not spread the coronavirus to others. All clients will not be allowed to leave the area until after their isolation or quarantine period ends.

Onsite medical personnel will monitor each client’s case and approve discharge when they are no longer at-risk of being contagious to other people. Support service providers will be onsite to help ensure people experiencing homelessness have access to housing accommodations once they are discharged.

Leases and contract terms are case by case, so it depends on the contract that the County has negotiated with the owner.

Self-isolation and self-quarantine are our most effective strategies in slowing the spread of this virus and protecting our families and our communities. Residents of LA County need and deserve a safe space where they can recover from COVID-19 while receiving medical care. The medical sheltering sites offer residents an opportunity to heal safely from this virus while remaining in close proximity to their families and communities.