48 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Ogden homeless shelter; 2 deaths being investigated – KSL.com

OGDEN — The Weber-Morgan Health Department is investigating a COVID-19 outbreak within the Lantern House, a homeless shelter in Ogden.

According to a shelter official, out of 220 coronavirus tests, 48 have been identified as positive. Less than 10% of those affected are showing symptoms of the virus.

Midtown Community Health Center conducted testing over the course of the week followed by a full-scale testing event with the state health department.

Two people connected to the shelter have died this week, Lantern House Board Chairman John D. Patterson said in a statement. One was a senior male resident and the other was a single mother with a child staying at the shelter. Both victims were confirmed positive for COVID-19 but the cause of death remains under investigation. The child has been placed with the next of kin.

“The Lantern House staff will be closely monitoring each of these individuals during their time in quarantine,” Patterson said. “While we are a homeless shelter, not a medical facility, the Weber-Morgan Health Department helped us with resources to hire additional staff to provide the needed care and monitoring.”

Patterson said community members have been helping to house those who have tested negative.

Jen Riess

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