Hit hard by COVID-19, a shelter in Longueuil is closing its doors for the next few days due to lack of staff.
Posted at 7:30 p.m.
“I no longer have the necessary staff to ensure adequate security at the site and even in intervention,” laments Nicholas Gildersleeve, general manager of La Halte du Coin. In recent weeks, 19 of 25 employees have contracted COVID-19, he said. “They are dropping like flies,” he breathes. They are discouraged. ”
The outbreak also affects people welcomed at La Halte du Coin. “Since yesterday, we have tested more than 30 people who are positive,” argues Nicholas Gildersleeve. Homeless people who have the virus are cared for by the CISSS de la Montérégie-Centre and the CISSS de la Montérégie-Est, as well as the city of Longueuil. The Cynthia-Coull arena has also been prepared to welcome homeless people infected, as of this Thursday evening, affirms Catherine Fournier, the mayor of Longueuil.
The ten uninfected people who were staying at La Halte du Coin will spend the night in buses fitted out for this purpose. “There is no one who will escape”, assures Catherine Fournier. The mayor says she is looking for another solution to accommodate these people tomorrow, while waiting to disinfect the shelter.
In Longueuil, the Abri de la Rive-Sud is also struggling with a lack of staff that threatens to close the doors. “The situation is clearly critical,” stresses Catherine Fournier.