Business & Tech
Lord Baltimore Hotel To House Coronavirus Patients
A hotel in downtown Baltimore will house people who have mild symptoms of the new coronavirus or who want to protect their households.
BALTIMORE, MD — People with mild to moderate symptoms of the new coronavirus in Baltimore who cannot self-isolate will be able to stay at one of the city's downtown hotels, with a referral from a health care provider.
The program is made possible by the University of Maryland Medical System, city of Baltimore and Lord Baltimore Hotel, according to Baltimore Health Commissioner Letitia Dzirasa, M.D.
"This is significant step in our continued work to reduce the spread of COVID-19," Dzirasa said.
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In Baltimore 2,609 people have tested positive for the virus, 423 are hospitalized because of it, and 120 have died from the new coronavirus, Mayor Bernard C. "Jack" Young said Tuesday at a news conference. The number of cases marked a 21 percent increase since Friday, the mayor reported.
Through the new program, called the "TRI Support Initiative," which promotes triage, respite and isolation, Dzirasa said the city hopes to slow the spread of the virus.
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"This partnership will reduce the number of interactions among residents who have tested positive with those who are negative," Dzirasa said.
"Individuals with mild or moderate symptoms who do not require hospitalization and need a place to be able to self-isolate safely will be referred to the Lord Baltimore Hotel by hospitals, health care providers and the city health department," Dzirasa said.
Meals and cleaning services will be provided at the hotel on West Baltimore Street.
"For 92 years, we have provided hospitality to the Baltimore community," Lord Baltimore Hotel General Manager Onahlea Shimunek said in a statement. "We couldn’t be more proud to be able to continue to do so today during these trying times."
Resident and clinical support staff will also be working at the hotel, which is designed for those who need a "lower level of care" as opposed to hospitalization, according to Dzirasa.
The University of Maryland Medical System will provide health care personnel for the operation.
"Ensuring that COVID-positive individuals have a safe place to self-isolate is a critical public health challenge," University of Maryland Medical System President/CEO Mohan Suntha said, noting the health care system was proud to partner with local government in the crisis response.
Those in multigenerational households and congregate living facilities, the homeless, immigrants and frontline workers who want to reduce the risk of exposing people in their homes are among those who can participate in the TRI Support Initiative, according to the health commissioner.
"It's for people who can't self-isolate and are experiencing mild symptoms of COVID," Dzirasa said. "This is an important city resource that will be available for the coming months as we continue to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic."
See Also:
- Coronavirus Death Toll Nears 1,300: Maryland Health Department
- Hogan Administration Sued Over Stay-At-Home Order: MD Coronavirus
- Blue Angels, Thunderbirds Flyover Honors Health Workers In MD
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