Puerto Rico's first alternate care site for homeless individuals positive to COVID-19

Suzanne Roig, Administrator of the Puerto Rico Mental Health and Addiction Services Administration and stakeholders during the ribbon-cutting ceremony of the facility in September

Located in the eastern town of Humacao, the facility offers care to COVID-19 patients asymptomatic and/or mildly to moderately symptomatic patients that do not require extensive nursing care or assistance with daily activities. Operated by GuaraBi, a Continuum of Care organization, it also offers services to homeless persons being monitored for quarantine and/or isolation.

The GuaraBi/Yocahu program can house 10 patients individually and is scalable to increase capacity. A key component of their approach is a robust network of communication and coordination to ensure smooth transfer of patients within a community for delivery of care. Their case management and rehousing team also ensures patients will have the resources they need when they leave the program, including housing and supportive services.

The initiative is a collaboration between the Puerto Rico Department of Health, the Puerto Rico Mental Health and Addiction Services Administration, and GuaraBi. The alternate care facility is funded by the P.R. Department of Health with Coronavirus Relief Funds.

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