Bellaire Salvation Army’s Covid Outbreak Resolved
Facility Had as Many as 12 Positive Cases at Shelter
Trending
BELLAIRE -- After battling several cases of COVID-19 in its homeless shelter, the Belmont County Salvation Army says it is now free of the virus.
The Salvation Army, based in Bellaire, noted recently on its Facebook page that things were getting back to normal.
"A few weeks ago we announced that we had 12 cases of COVID-19 in our shelter. Many people prayed for us and we thank you for your prayers. We are currently COVID-19 free. Praise the Lord and we give Him all the glory," the army said on its page.
The Salvation Army also thanked the First United Methodist Church in Bellaire for providing meals to the shelter to help those living there during their lockdown.
"We are grateful for a community that supports us with a holistic ministry -- physically, mentally and spiritually.
"Our mission never stopped during this time and God has protected all of our staff, volunteers and residents. May God bless each of you," the army noted on its social media page.
The ordeal started at the beginning of January with, at first, three of the shelter's 25 residents testing positive for the virus. In addition to quarantining the shelter residents, the Salvation Army also suspended its church services for about a month as a precaution.
Efforts to stop the spread inside the entire building also were stepped up, with visitors reminded to wear a mask and not come inside if they were feeling sick or having any symptoms.
People who were coming in for social service appointments also had their temperatures checked.
Church services were restarted this past Sunday, with parishioners asked to take their temperatures before entering the building.
Meanwhile, this week's United States Department of Agriculture food giveaway at the Salvation Army will not occur because the company, Van Solkema Produce of Michigan, is unable to make the delivery this week.
The company accidentally over committed itself, the army believes. However, the delivery issue is expected to get resolved so food boxes can be delivered again on Feb. 18.