Emails Show Metro Scrambling for Space at Fairgrounds Homeless Shelter

NASHVILLE -- Emails between Metro officials and service providers show that at one point in early May, the temporary shelter at the Fairgrounds Nashville could not admit new guests who were awaiting COVID-19 test results. The emails, which the Scene obtained through a public records request, show that on May 5 there seemed to be some struggle for space at the so-called sick shelter designed to quarantine people experiencing homelessness who tested positive for COVID-19.

That day, Brian Haile, CEO of Neighborhood Health, emailed Metro officials — including Metro Public Health director Michael Caldwell and Coronavirus Task Force chair Alex Jahangir — about two patients who were turned away from the fairgrounds.

“Today two homeless patients who were recently tested for COVID-19 returned to us (on foot) because they were told there was no room at the PUI shelter for them,” Haile wrote. He added that Neighborhood Health confirmed with a fairgrounds worker that there was no more space for persons under investigation (PUI), or people who are waiting for the results of their coronavirus tests.

"Can you give us some direction as to how we should proceed?" Haile asked.

Read more: https://www.nashvillescene.com/news/pith-in-the-wind/article/21134742/emails-show-metro-scrambling-for-space-at-fairgrounds-homeless-shelter