COVID-19 Outbreak Among Three Affiliated Homeless Service Sites — King County, Washington, 2020

What is already known about this topic? COVID-19 can spread rapidly within and between congregate housing facilities, such as homeless shelters. COVID-19 in homeless shelters, however, has not been well described. What is added by this report? On April 1, 2020, a COVID-19 outbreak was detected at three affiliated homeless shelters. Testing for SARS-CoV-2 immediately offered to all residents and staff members identified additional unrecognized COVID-19 cases. Enhanced surveillance and repeat testing identified and confirmed COVID-19 in 43 persons at these sites. What are the implications for public health practice? Interrupting COVID-19 transmission in homeless shelters is challenging. In settings with known COVID-19 outbreaks, assistance with enforcement of shelter-in-place orders, testing of residents and staff members, and prompt isolation of symptomatic or residents with confirmed disease are needed to prevent further transmission in homeless shelters.