Walla Walla County signs contract with Providence St. Mary Medical for COVID-19 quarantine housing

WALLA WALLA—Walla Walla County has signed a contract with Providence St. Mary Medical Center to provide COVID-19 quarantine housing at the Providence Southgate Medical Park’s main building (the former Walla Walla General Hospital) in the 400 unit.

The unit would provide voluntary housing for COVID-19 positive individuals who cannot successfully quarantine in their current living situation and are not ill enough to require professional care or hospitalization. The unit will serve as a small motel.

Walla Walla County previously provided quarantine housing at a different location that is no longer available. At the county’s request, Providence stepped forward to offer quarantine housing to reduce the risk of disease spread in our community by COVID-19 positive people living in situations that make quarantining difficult or impossible.

The former Walla Walla General Hospital design allows Providence to offer the service without impacting other services at Southgate. The 400 wing is deep inside the building, well removed from outpatient services, patients, and caregivers who work in the clinics. It also has a separate air handling system isolated from the rest of the building. Extensive safety measures will be in place.

The unit is also separate from the 300 wing, which was set up for COVID-19 hospital overflow if a community surge in cases surpasses Providence St. Mary’s capacity.

The 400 unit can hold up to 27 people. In the past, the county’s quarantine housing has been used infrequently and by a small number of people. The Walla Walla County Department of Community Health, working with Providence Population Health, will determine who will be offered housing in the unit.

Residents of the unit will be escorted in personal protective equipment to the 400 wing. Once there, they will remain quarantined in their rooms. Residents will not be able to come and go from the unit. The county, in collaboration with Population Health and St Mary’s Café, will provide meals, support, and medical assistance to the residents. Full-time security also will be on-site at all times.