VIDEO: County Responds to Flu Outbreak at Migrant Shelter
By Anita Lightfoot, County of San Diego Communications Office
Reading Time: 7minutes
July 1, 2019-Update
Medical Screening Process
Asylum seekers arriving in San Diego receive a medical screening upon entering the shelter, are assessed for their clinical needs, and then treated as appropriate.
Those determined to have influenza are isolated in local hotel rooms with individual heating and air conditioning units. Accompanying family members are quarantined with their relatives and are also given treatment to prevent them from getting sick and spreading the virus. County staff visit patients daily in their hotel rooms to continue monitoring their symptoms, address medical needs and assess when they are well enough to travel.
With a significant decrease in migrants presenting with influenza-like symptoms over the past week, migrants without symptoms are no longer routinely receiving treatment to prevent them from getting sick, but this preventive measure is being considered for those at higher risk of complications from influenza.
Migrant Shelter influenza updates are now issued on Mondays and will include data from Monday-Sunday. This update covers June 24-30, 2019.
New Migrants Screened at County Shelter78
78
New Cases of Influenza-like Illness
0
Total Cases of Influenza-like Illness Since May 19, 2019
235
Number of New Migrants Sent to Hospital ER, with Influenza-like Illness
0
Migrants Newly Quarantined at Hotels Last Week
0 (0 families)
June 24, 2019-Update
Migrant Shelter influenza updates will now be issued on Mondays and will include data from Monday-Sunday. Below update includes data from June 20-23, 2019.
New Migrants Screened at County Shelter
215
New Cases of Influenza-like Illness
3
Total Cases of Influenza-like Illness Since May 19, 2019
235
Number of New Migrants Sent to Hospital ER, with Influenza-like Illness
0
Migrants Newly Quarantined at Hotels Last Week
9 (3 families)
June 20, 2019-Update
Following this update, timing of updates will be moving to weekly on Mondays.
New Migrants Screened at County Shelter
34
New Cases of Influenza-like Illness
1
Total Cases of Influenza-like Illness Since May 19, 2019
234
Number of New Migrants Sent to Hospital ER, with Influenza-like Illness
0
Migrants Currently Quarantined at Hotels
4 (2 families)
June 19, 2019-Update
New Migrants Screened at County Shelter
55
New Cases of Influenza-like Illness
1
Total Cases of Influenza-like Illness Since May 19, 2019
233
Number of New Migrants Sent to Hospital ER, with Influenza-like Illness
0
Migrants Currently Quarantined at Hotels
3 (1 family)
June 18, 2019-Update
New Migrants Screened at County Shelter
34
New Cases of Influenza-like Illness
0
Total Cases of Influenza-like Illness Since May 19, 2019
232
Number of New Migrants Sent to Hospital ER, with Influenza-like Illness
0
Migrants Currently Quarantined at Hotels
3 (1 family)
June 17, 2019-Update
New Migrants Screened at County Shelter
24
New Cases of Influenza-like Illness
1
Total Cases of Influenza-like Illness Since May 19, 2019
232
Number of New Migrants Sent to Hospital ER, with Influenza-like Illness
0
Migrants Currently Quarantined at Hotels
3 (1 family)
June 16, 2019-Update
New Migrants Screened at County Shelter
35
New Cases of Influenza-like Illness
0
Total Cases of Influenza-like Illness Since May 19, 2019
231
Number of New Migrants Sent to Hospital ER, with Influenza-like Illness
0
Migrants Currently Quarantined at Hotels
0 (0 families)
June 15, 2019-Update
New Migrants Screened at County Shelter
45
New Cases of Influenza-like Illness
0
Total Cases of Influenza-like Illness Since May 19, 2019
231
Number of New Migrants Sent to Hospital ER, with Influenza-like Illness
0
Migrants Currently Quarantined at Hotels
0 (0 families)
June 14, 2019-Update
New Migrants Screened at County Shelter
20
New Cases of Influenza-like Illness
0
Total Cases of Influenza-like Illness Since May 19, 2019
231
Number of New Migrants Sent to Hospital ER, with Influenza-like Illness
0
Migrants Currently Quarantined at Hotels
9 (3 families)
June 13, 2019-Update
New Migrants Screened at County Shelter
22
New Cases of Influenza-like Illness
5
Total Cases of Influenza-like Illness Since May 19, 2019
231
Number of New Migrants Sent to Hospital ER, with Influenza-like Illness
0
Migrants Currently Quarantined at Hotels
13 (4 families)
June 12, 2019-Update
New Migrants Screened at County Shelter
28
New Cases of Influenza-like Illness
4
Total Cases of Influenza-like Illness Since May 19, 2019
226
Number of New Migrants Sent to Hospital ER, with Influenza-like Illness
0
Migrants Currently Quarantined at Hotels
19 (6 families)
June 11, 2019-Update
New Migrants Screened at County Shelter
12
New Cases of Influenza-like Illness
5
Total Cases of Influenza-like Illness Since May 19, 2019
222
Number of New Migrants Sent to Hospital ER, with Influenza-like Illness
0
Migrants Currently Quarantined at Hotels
9 (3 families)
June 10, 2019-Update
New Migrants Screened at County Shelter
16
New Cases of Influenza-like Illness
3
Total Cases of Influenza-like Illness Since May 19, 2019
217
Number of New Migrants Sent to Hospital ER, with Influenza-like Illness
0
Migrants Currently Quarantined at Hotels
5 (2 families)
June 9, 2019-Update
New Migrants Screened at County Shelter
40
New Cases of Influenza-like Illness
0
Total Cases of Influenza-like Illness Since May 19, 2019
214
Number of New Migrants Sent to Hospital ER, with Influenza-like Illness
0
Migrants Currently Quarantined at Hotels
11 (4 families)
June 8, 2019-Update
New Migrants Screened at County Shelter
27
New Cases of Influenza-like Illness
4
Total Cases of Influenza-like Illness Since May 19, 2019
214
Number of New Migrants Sent to Hospital ER, with Influenza-like Illness
1
Migrants Currently Quarantined at Hotels
14 (5 families)
June 7, 2019-Update
New Migrants Screened at County Shelter
19
New Cases of Influenza-like Illness
2
Total Cases of Influenza-like Illness Since May 19, 2019
210
Number of New Migrants Sent to Hospital ER, with Influenza-like Illness
0
Migrants Currently Quarantined at Hotels
45 (20 families)
June 6, 2019-Update
New Migrants Screened at County Shelter
98
New Cases of Influenza-like Illness
22
Total Cases of Influenza-like Illness Since May 19, 2019
208
Number of New Migrants Sent to Hospital ER, with Influenza-like Illness
6
Migrants Currently Quarantined at Hotels
67 (30 families)
June 5, 2019-Update
New Migrants Screened at County Shelter
130
New Cases of Influenza-like Illness
28
Total Cases of Influenza-like Illness Since May 19, 2019
186
Number of New Migrants Sent to Hospital ER, with Influenza-like Illness
1
Migrants Currently Quarantined at Hotels
51 (23 families)
June 4, 2019-Update
New Migrants Screened at County Shelter
48
New Cases of Influenza-like Illness
9
Total Cases of Influenza-like Illness Since May 19, 2019
158
Number of New Migrants Sent to Hospital ER, with Influenza-like Illness
1
Migrants Currently Quarantined at Hotels
26 (10 families)
June 3, 2019-Update
Medical Screening Process
New Migrants Screened at County Shelter
92
New Cases of Influenza-like Illness
8
Total Cases of Influenza-like Illness Since May 19, 2019
149
Number of New Migrants Sent to Hospital ER, with Influenza-like Illness
1
Migrants Currently Quarantined at Hotels
27 (11 families)
June 2, 2019-Update
New Migrants Screened at County Shelter
70
New Cases of Influenza-like Illness
13
Total Cases of Influenza-like Illness Since May 19, 2019
141
Number of New Migrants Sent to Hospital ER, with Influenza-like Illness
0
Migrants Currently Quarantined at Hotels
34 (14 families)
June 1, 2019-Update
New Migrants Screened at County Shelter
117
New Cases of Influenza-like Illness
23
Total Cases of Influenza-like Illness Since May 19, 2019
128
Number of New Migrants Sent to Hospital ER, with Influenza-like Illness
2
Migrants Currently Quarantined at Hotels
80 (36 families)
May 31, 2019-Update
New Migrants Screened at County Shelter
101
New Cases of Influenza-like Illness
24
Total Cases of Influenza-like Illness Since May 19, 2019
105
Number of New Migrants Sent to Hospital ER, with Influenza-like Illness
2
Migrants Currently Quarantined at Hotels
62 (26 families)
May 30, 2019-Update
New Migrants Screened at County Shelter
73
New Cases of Influenza-like Illness
22
Total Cases of Influenza-like Illness Since May 19, 2019
81
Number of New Migrants Sent to Hospital ER, with Influenza-like Illness
1
Migrants Currently Quarantined at Hotels
63 (26 families)
May 29, 2019-Update
New Migrants Screened at County Shelter
97
New Cases of Influenza-like Illness
12
Total Cases of Influenza-like Illness Since May 19, 2019
59
Number of New Migrants Sent to Hospital ER, with Influenza-like Illness
0
Migrants Currently Quarantined at Hotels
82* (33 families)
*Yesterday’s number was under reported; should have been 36.
May 28, 2019-Update
New Migrants Screened at County Shelter
102
New Cases of Influenza-like Illness
12
Total Cases of Influenza-like Illness Since May 19, 2019
47
Number of New Migrants Sent to Hospital ER, with Influenza-like Illness
0
Migrants Currently Quarantined at Hotels
36* (14 families)
*Number should have been 36, not 15.
May 27, 2019-Update
New Migrants Screened at County Shelter
65
New Cases of Influenza-like Illness
3
Total Cases of Influenza-like Illness Since May 19, 2019
35
Number of New Migrants Sent to Hospital ER, with Influenza-like Illness
0
Migrants Currently Quarantined at Hotels
14 (5 families)
May 26, 2019-Update
New Migrants Screened at County Shelter
31
New Cases of Influenza-like Illness
1
Total Cases of Influenza-like Illness Since May 19, 2019
32
Number of New Migrants Sent to Hospital ER, with Influenza-like Illness
0
Migrants Currently Quarantined at Hotels
24 (10 families)
May 25, 2019 Update
New Migrants Screened at County Shelter
34
New Cases of Influenza-like Illness
2
Total Cases of Influenza-like Illness Since May 19, 2019
31
Number of New Migrants Sent to Hospital ER, with Influenza-like Illness
1
Migrants Currently Quarantined at Hotels
27 (13 families)
May 24, 2019 Update
New Migrants Screened at County Shelter
47
New Cases of Influenza-like Illness
13
Total Cases of Influenza-like Illness Since May 19, 2019
29
Number of New Migrants Sent to Hospital ER, with Influenza-like Illness
0
Migrants Currently Quarantined at Hotels
24 (12 families)
May 23, 2019 Update
San Diego County Public Health officials are responding to an influenza outbreak among asylum seekers recently flown to San Diego from Texas by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
“We have identified individuals with flu symptoms and are providing appropriate treatment,” said Dr. Dean Sidelinger, M.D., M.P.H., County deputy public health officer, adding that 16 asylum seekers have been reported with influenza-like illness.
“Those who are ill are being isolated, along with members of their families. Our staff, in conjunction with those of Jewish Family Services and others, are following established procedures to ensure these individuals and their families are well before they leave San Diego for other destinations,” Sidelinger said
Asylum seekers, primarily families, began arriving in San Diego County in October 2018 and from Texas on May 19. To date, more than 14,000 individuals who are legally in the country have been screened.
“We are taking all the appropriate steps that we can to contain this outbreak at this facility and to protect the public’s health in San Diego,” said County Board of Supervisors Chairwoman Dianne Jacob.
In January, the County Board of Supervisors authorized using a closed downtown courthouse as a temporary shelter. It was refurbished and opened in March.
“Our early efforts to create a safe and professionally-staffed shelter for legal migrant families has protected the greater San Diego region,” said County Supervisor Nathan Fletcher. “Our rigorous screening process and attentive medical staff is what has allowed us to quickly identify this issue and take steps to address it.”
An outbreak in a single setting is defined as at least one individual diagnosed with influenza and another coming down with a flu-like illness within 72 hours. Outbreaks are usually seen in skilled nursing or other long-term care facilities, but also can occur in other group homes/congregate living facilities, such as detention facilities or overnight camps. San Diego County has experienced 27 outbreaks this flu season.
As asylum seekers continue to arrive from Texas and California, shelter operators will continue screenings and the isolation and treatment of anyone who is symptomatic. It can take up to four days after exposure for flu signs to appear. The County will provide updates on this outbreak until it concludes.
Anita Lightfoot is a group communications officer with the County of San Diego Communications Office. Contact