The Lucas County Health Department alerted Cherry Street Mission Ministries to a patient having tested positive for COVID-19 who has been a guest at the mission. Since COVID-19 was first reported in Ohio, Cherry Street has been working with authorities to ensure best practices are in place and the care of those depending on Cherry Street goes on without interruption.

As per the Stay-At-Home orders by Governor DeWine, the patient is to follow isolation protocols at the shelter and is being kept away from all other guests. During follow-up with the Health Department, it was assessed whether the individual may have exposed others and needed precautions have already been put in place. All guests, staff and volunteers have been alerted and some have been quarantined.

While the patient is in quarantine, they are on bed rest in an isolated room that promotes rest and health. Meals and refreshments are provided to the guests and delivered to the isolation room so they may stay in isolation.

Cherry Street has employed the best available protection there is at this time. Quarantined guests are using masks and staying in place. The mission has added extra cleaning bathroom procedures for the quarantined guest to ensure no virus is spread after having used common area such as the restroom or shower. As part of the mission’s usual procedures, medically appropriate cleaning solutions that kill the virus have been in use, to the best of the mission’s ability social distancing is in practice and vigorously enforce hand washing and sanitizer use. Additionally, staff are taking temperatures every day for every person entering any building.

“The measures set in place by this team will greatly decrease the chance of outside exposure of others to the virus. Our focus is always to protect the most vulnerable in our community and to provide the essentials to those experiencing homelessness. We feel a great sense of responsibility to protect each one who stay at Cherry Street and are treating this as their temporary home,” said Dr. Wes Modder, CEO of Cherry Street Mission Ministries.

For more about the procedures at Cherry Street during the Stay-At-Home orders Cherry Street has prepared a video with further details. The video can be found below.

As people shelter in place, Cherry Street has concerns about income. The community has loved Cherry Street for 70-plus years and we know the community is going to continue to support the needs of Cherry Street Mission Ministries. For decades Northwest Ohio and Southeast Michigan has entrusted Cherry Street to care for those experiencing homelessness and care for people living in poverty. Our wish list can be viewed below and you can made a donation HERE.

Founded in 1947, Cherry Street Mission Ministries provides basic needs, housing solutions, and opportunities for transformation and redemption through plan development. Cherry Street is privately funded and does not receive government funding.

To address some of the questions and assumptions made by the public, Cherry Street has released a video to provide clarity and answers. The video can be found below.

Cherry Street is considered an essential service and will remain open, regardless of the current pandemic.

Cherry Street is always practicing disease management because of contagions like the flu, tuberculosis, hepatitis, impetigo and HIV. We’re following best practices for all guests, staff and volunteers through:

• Detection
• Isolation
• Containment

Volunteers are needed.  The good news is that many people are not at high risk. If you are not symptomatic or not considered high risk, the public is encouraged to decide for themselves. Please do what’s best for your community and for you. Cherry Street would love your help because as we said- the shelter will remain open.  It is crucial the care and provision to those served at Cherry Street continues uninterrupted as it has since 1947. Sign up to volunteer HERE.

Before this outbreak started showing up in our area, Cherry Street already was well stocked with items like soap, bottled water, hand sanitizer, cleaning chemicals, and disinfectant wipes. Those advanced purchases has been a massive hit to the budget of the organization. Monetary support from the public will help bridge the gaps.

As people shelter in place, Cherry Street has concerns about income.  The community has loved Cherry Street for 70-plus years and we know the community is going to continue to support the needs of Cherry Street Mission Ministries. For decades Northwest Ohio and Southeast Michigan has entrusted Cherry Street to care for the most vulnerable in the community and care for people living in poverty. Donations can be made HERE and the wish list can be viewed HERE.

Founded in 1947, Cherry Street Mission Ministries provides basic needs, housing solutions, and opportunities for transformation and redemption through plan development.  Cherry Street is privately funded and does not receive government funding.