The state reports more than 2,600 people have been hospitalized because of the flu so far this season. And, St. Mary’s Hospital in Grand Junction has seen its share of those cases.
Gretchen Gore, with the hospital, says after patients are discharged it’s recommend they rest at home, but that’s not an option for everyone.
"It was discovered that when we have someone that is homeless they don’t have a warm home to go home to and recover," Gore says.
To address this problem St. Mary’s has partnered with the United Way of Mesa County, Hilltop Resource Center, and Karis Inc., to open an emergency flu shelter for the homeless in the city.
Hilltop donated the space and the hospital and the United Way are funding it.
Gore says the shelter needs about 40 volunteers to help run it before the facility can open.
"That’s really the biggest need right now is for volunteers to give a four hour shift. And, you don’t have to have any kind of medical background to do that," she says.
People can contact Leslie Kittle at (617) 851-6327 to volunteer.
