Warming Center changes hours and requirements due to increase in COVID-19 cases

posted on: 12/20/2021

Community Action Partnership of Strafford County (CAPSC) is implementing changes to the Strafford County Extreme Weather Warming Center operations effective Monday, Dec. 20 to curtail the spread of COVID-19 at the Warming Center. The Warming Center is located at 30 Willand Drive in Somersworth.

Effective December 20, the following guidelines are in effect:

• Capacity will be limited to 50 to allow for increased social distancing;
• No one will be admitted after 10 p.m. to allow staff to conduct COVID-19 screenings and testing;
• All guests will be required to test for COVID-19 if exhibiting symptoms;
• All guests must remain on their bunk for the entire stay;
• Eating is only allowed on bunks;
• Masks must be worn at all times except when eating. No exceptions;
• The center will be closed from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. during the weekends to allow for cleaning;
• CAPSC will not accept COVID-19-positive guests from other shelters.

In addition, CAPSC's Drop-In Center will be limited to appointments and emergencies only for the next 30 days to reduce COVID-19 transmission rates.

Changes to operations are required after several clients tested positive and had to be relocated to an isolation and quarantine facility. Those clients are currently being supported with meals and medication from CAPSC.

To limit the spread of COVID-19 and reduce risk to everyone, CAPSC is requesting any meal donations for our Warming Center to be delivered by 5 p.m. before guests arrive for both dinner and breakfast. To sign up to donate meals, please visit: www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0c4aa5a728a2fec70-january1.

The Warming Center is still in need of volunteers and donations. To sign up to volunteer, please visit: www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0c4aa5a728a2fec70-january. To see an up-to-date list of our donation needs, please visit: www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0c4aa5a728a2fec70-january2. To make a monetary donation, please visit: www.straffordcap.org/donate.

CAPSC, state and local health officials highly encourage everyone in the community to get a vaccine and booster shot when eligible. CAPSC is at risk of temporarily closing if staff and volunteers continue to test positive as the variant spreads. Vaccinations and booster shots are available at pharmacies and other agencies throughout the region, including the State of New Hampshire's fixed-vaccination site in Rochester at Spaulding Commons, 306 North Main St. The fixed site is for walk-ins only and does not accept appointments. Wait times may occur. The fixed site's hours are Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.; and closed on Sunday.

For more information about fixed vaccination sites in New Hampshire, including dates the sites will be closed for the holidays, visit www.on-sitemedservices.com/vaccinationlocator. To find appointment-based vaccinations, visit www.vaccines.gov. To find where the state’s mobile vaccine van will be, visit www.vaccines.nh.gov and click “Find the van.”

The Warming Center is a partnership of the cities of Dover, Somersworth and Rochester and CAPSC. CAPSC provides staffing and oversight at the Warming Center through the winter season.