Columbia Housing Seeks to Protect Residents at Senior High-Rises and Other Units as COVID-19 Numbers Rise

Columbia Housing Seeks to Protect Residents at Senior High-Rises and Other Units as COVID-19 Numbers Rise

Columbia Housing's Level 3 Protocols in case of a COVID-19 triggered event. 

Columbia, SC... Senior citizens living in housing developments across the nation are paying close attention to COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic. That's because many seniors rent apartments in developments with others their own age - ordinarily an advantage because it encourages social interaction. Now, that concentration could put them at higher risk: A World Health Organization study found that those 65 and older are six times more susceptible to infection by the novel coronavirus than people 15 to 44 years old.

Over the past 30-days, Columbia Housing implemented its LEVEL 1 and LEVEL 2 Protocols in its high-rises that that: 1) Encouraged senior citizens to shelter-in-place and only go out when absolutely necessary; 2) Closed all Community Rooms to encourage social distancing, 3) Instituted deep cleaning schedule for all common areas and frequently touched surfaces using Nisus DSV, found by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to be an effective disinfectant against SARS-CoV, the cause of COVID-19. Nisus DSV is a broad-spectrum disinfectant, sanitizer and virucide labeled to kill many viruses and bacteria. 3) Limited the public's interaction with residents via lobby areas.

Interim Executive Director Ivory Mathews wants to make sure her staff and the residents are ready should an employee or resident at one of its properties suspects they've been exposed to COVID-19 novel coronavirus.

"Many of our properties feature contiguous living where residents live near one another. While this is a great way to create a sense of community, it requires extra safeguards when you talk about a highly contagious virus," says Mathews. "In the case of our high-rises-most of those residents are older or disabled. These LEVEL 3 Protocols will help everyone know what to do if someone thinks they've been exposed", concludes Mathews.

For a detailed look at Columbia Housing's LEVEL 3 Protocols to reduce the likelihood of COVID-19 novel coronavirus spread, click here.

Full Release

Level 3 Protocols and COVID-10 Response Plan

Columbia Housing currently provides affordable housing to 1,600+ families in its Public Housing Program and 4,000+ families in its Housing Choice Voucher Program.

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For more information on Columbia Housing's COVID-19 Response please visit our COVID-19 Response web page. 

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