Local

Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION

Homeless with flu symptoms aided

Salvation Army beds not for severely sick

By: Eva Cohen

Posted: 11/5/2009 1:00 AM | Comments: 0

Salvation Army’s Karen Hoeft stands by beds for homeless showing flu-like symptoms at the Booth Centre at 180 Henry Ave. (KEN GIGLIOTTI / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS ) Photo Store

Related Items

Articles
- Manitoba Health investigates possible H1N1 death

THE Salvation Army now has a 23-bed wing available for homeless people with flu-like symptoms.

"If you or I feel sick, we go home and get into bed," said Karen Hoeft, assistant executive director and community relations at the Salvation Army's Booth Centre downtown. "If a person is living on a mat, or in a dorm that they must vacate during the day, that leaves them outside and if they have flu-like symptoms, being on the street can cause complications."

The wing, which is in the Booth Centre at 180 Henry Ave., became available this month after the move of the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority's Crisis Stabilization Unit to its new location on Portage Avenue.

The new wing is not intended for people who show complications that indicate H1N1. They will still be sent to hospitals. Whether a person is ill enough to get a bed or whether they need to be sent to acute care will be discretionary.

The shelter has teamed up with the government and other organizations to run the wing efficiently. When someone comes into the facility, a basic questionnaire from the WRHA has been drafted that asks a person, "how are you feeling?"

During flu season, the shelters always see an influx of people, said Hoeft, but she expects there will be a higher demand for these beds than there would normally be.

Hoeft said the decision to use the space as an influenza recovery area was made jointly with the government.

"We have been very engaged with the government in discussing long-term holistic strategies," said Hoeft.

"This was a priority."

eva.cohen@freepress.mb.ca

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition November 5, 2009 A6

Fact Check

Have you found an error, or know of something we’ve missed in one of our stories? Please use the form below and let us know.

* Required

In which story did you find the error? *
Please post the headline of the story or the title of the video with the error.
What was the error? *
Please post exactly what was wrong with the story.
What should we have written?
Please indicate your source for the correct information.
Who else should we interview to improve this story?
Please include any contact information you may have.
Can we contact you in the future for advice on stories about this topic?
Yes

No
First Name: *
Last Name: *
E–mail Address: *
This will only be used to contact you if we have a question about your submission, it will not be used to identify you or be published.
Phone: *
This will only be used to contact you if we have a question about your submission, it will not be used to identify you or be published.
Colour:
Are you blue? If you can see this, leave it blank and get some CSS support.
Enter the words that you see: * This is to prevent our forms from being filled out automatically.
You have failed to correctly identify the words in the box above. Please try again.

More Local

Undock

You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is be a Winnipeg Free Press print or e-edition subscriber to join the conversation and give your feedback.

Have Your Say

New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.

Have Your Say

Comments are open to Winnipeg Free Press print or e-edition subscribers only. why?

Have Your Say

Comments are open to Winnipeg Free Press Subscribers only. why?

The Winnipeg Free Press does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. These terms were revised effective April 16, 2010.