An abdominal illness has spread among dozens of residents and workers at one of the city’s safe sleeping sites for the homeless, and San Diego County health officials are investigating.
San Diego officials said they started getting reports Friday of roughly 30 residents ill with gastrointestinal symptoms, as well as four staff members from nonprofit Dreams for Change. There are 370 residents living at the legal camping site near Balboa Park.
The illness, and whatever caused it, was being investigated Saturday by the San Diego Department of Environmental Health and Quality.
Acting on advice from the county, San Diego officials have isolated residents with symptoms, increased janitorial services, added bathroom and handwashing facilities, increased sanitation of shared spaces and common areas and is handing out bottled water to residents.
San Diego’s safe sleeping site, called O Lot, opened in October. It’s a legal place where people who are homeless can sleep in city-provided tents and access services. A second safe sleeping site, in Golden Hill, does not have reports of the same illness.
“The city will take all necessary steps to protect the health and well-being of residents at O Lot,” a city statement said, “following guidance from county public health officials who are leading the investigation.”
Updates will be provided as information becomes available, officials said.
