Bechara Choucair, MD

Chief Health Officer, Kaiser Permanente

Oversees efforts to integrate social health and

health care services to meet the housing, food and
transportation needs of its members.

Accountable for the care of over 1 million Kaiser

Permanente Medicaid members and those who are
dually enrolled in Medicaid and Medicare.

Former Chicago Public Health Commissioner

(2009 – 2014).

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 COVID-19 is a health crisis for people throughout the world. The growth in cases
in the U.S. is putting tremendous stress on our nation’s health care system and
public health departments.
The U.S. currently leads the world in confirmed cases.

By the numbers:
Data as of March 29, 2020 at 12 p.m. ET

Confirmed Cases: 125,313

Deaths: 2,197

Recovered: 2,612

Coronavirus in the U.S.: Latest Map and Case Count. The New York Times. Accessed 29 March 2020 at 12:30pm ET.
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Coronavirus COVID-19 Global Cases by the Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) at Johns Hopkins University (JHU). Accessed 29 March 2020 at 1pm ET.
Our pandemic response
success depends on how well
we are prepared to implement
critical strategies.
C O N TA I N M E N T
First response to any novel
outbreak relies on:
• Quick identification
• Isolation
• Quarantine
• Contact tracing
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M I T I G AT I O N
If containment fails, a broad
range of mitigation
strategies must be
employed:
• School / venue closures
• Large event cancelations
• Social distancing for
vulnerable populations
• Shelter in place
SUPRESSION PREVENTION
Once viral transmission is Extensive testing, vaccines
slowed, we resume and, treatments available
containment strategies to to aid the sick and prevent
avoid new surges in cases: future outbreaks.
• Broader testing
• Self-quarantining, if
exposed
• Contact tracing
• Prophylactic treatment
(if possible)
The health of our nation and its
unsheltered population are
inseparably linked.
A COVID-19 outbreak among our homeless neighbors
will impact each one of us and the hospitals we rely on to
keep us well.

Even in the absence of COVID-19, homeless individuals are:

2x 2-4x 2-3x
as likely to be as likely to higher risk of
hospitalized require critical death than
care housed
populations

Estimated Emergency and Observational/Quarantine Capacity Need for the US Homeless Population Related to COVID-19 Exposure by
County; Projected Hospitalizations, Intensive Care Units and Mortality. University of Pennsylvania, 25 March 2020.

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 Swift, coordinated action is needed to address the
health needs of our unsheltered neighbors.

• Develop clear guidance and protocols for health care

workers, emergency shelter staff, street outreach teams and
other providers to prevent the worst outcomes, assess those
who are most vulnerable and ill and treat those suffering.

• Provide immediate, safe shelter for unsheltered

populations, isolating people who are symptomatic and
incorporating social distancing into existing emergency shelter
and transitional housing settings.

• Increase the volume and frequency of screening for

homeless individuals and frontline workers.