UnityPoint Health-Meriter and Public Health Madison & Dane County (PHMDC) partnered to provide more than 1,600 COVID-19 tests at local homeless shelters in Madison in 2020. 
“As the community hospital, our mission is to improve the health of the people and communities we serve, which includes our most vulnerable populations,” said Sue Erickson, President and CEO of UnityPoint Health-Meriter. “We already partner closely with shelters through our HEALTH (Helping Educate and Link the Homeless) outreach program, so supporting COVID-19 testing was a natural fit.” 
Meriter coordinated staff and volunteers to perform the testing. PHMDC handled logistics, including a site lead, testing supplies, transport to the Exact Sciences lab for processing and follow-up calls. 
Individuals who presented at shelters already underwent health screenings and those with symptoms were quarantined at a separate location. This testing focused on the general shelter population who may be asymptotic and unknowingly spreading COVID-19. The goal was to identify asymptotic individuals early and stop further spread. Shelter-based testing was especially important for individuals who didn’t have access to reliable transportation to other community testing sites. 
Testing took place at four shelters: The Salvation Army, The Beacon and two Porchlight locations – Safe Haven and the emergency men’s shelter. Testing for shelter residents was offered on a rotating bi-weekly schedule and has continued into 2021.