Nashville Rescue Mission women’s shelter closed amid COVID-19 outbreak

The Nashville Rescue Mission’s women’s campus is now closed to new admissions after scores of residents and at least six staff members tested positive for coronavirus, according to the Metro Public Health Department and a Rescue Mission spokeswoman.

An additional 40 people connected to the campus have tested positive for coronavirus since 16 initial cases were reported October 8, Metro Health spokesman Brian Todd said. Six employees are positive, said Cheryl Chunn, senior development director for the Nashville Rescue Mission.

Most of the staff and many of the residents are experiencing symptoms, but no one has been hospitalized, she said.

Women seeking shelter are being referred to the Nashville Fairgrounds, which was established by city officials in March as a temporary shelter during the pandemic. Women and children who have been showing up to the main campus seeking shelter are being being transported there, Chunn said.

The Nashville Rescue Mission women’s campus on Rosa Parks Boulevard provides food, clothing and shelter to women and children experiencing homelessness.

It is one of at least 60 COVID-19 clusters identified by city health officials this week that account for more than 2,700 cases.

At least 134 individuals have been tested at the shelter thus far, Chunn said.