Watsonville shelter closes after multiple residents, staff members test positive for COVID-19

WATSONVILLE, Calif. (KION) The Salvation Army Shelter in Watsonville is temporarily closed after multiple residents and staff members tested positive for COVID-19.

The Santa Cruz County Public Health Division and the Human Services Shelter and Care Task Force were notified that a resident tested positive when preparing for an unrelated medical procedure. After the notification, the Communicable Disease Unit started testing other residents and staff at the site.

The county said seven more residents and staff members have tested positive, but so far everyone is asymptomatic. There were a total of 28 to 30 people at the shelter, according to county officials.

Because of the positive tests, operations at the site have been suspended and residents have been moved to isolate. When the isolation period is over and the site has been cleaned, operations are expected to resume.

The County is reminding residents that COVID-19 can still spread if people do not show symptoms, so everyone should protect themselves by avoiding gatherings, wearing a face covering, maintaining physical distance and washing hands often,