Weekly Encampment Report (Pierce County) July 7, 2022

This week has been eventful as usual. Prayers continue to be needed as we navigate the challenges of staying safe and continuing to assess the medical needs of our unsheltered neighbors which is extremely important as the encampments are increasing in numbers and health acuity is rising. Our encampment team has been joined by a peer counselor from Ideal Options. Encampment resident census has been fluctuating and increases in number of residents have been seen in a variety of sites: safety has begun to be more of a concern in the Pierce County sites and this has been noted from multiple sources: Encampment visits have revealed increased in violence, presence of weapons; Community Health Clinic's mobile medical unit has not been rounding on encampments due to safety concerns and Tacoma Fire Department sources agree that growing safety concerns make continuing to visit encampments a risk. This perception of risk was addressed by the Tacoma Pierce County Coalition to End Homelessness this week when concerns were brought to the Medical Reserve Nurses. Here's an overview of some of what was seen this week: Women were more prominent in one of the encampments that have been visited and there have been rumors of human trafficking within at least one of the encampments. Human trafficking is a reality and a concern as we have reports of pregnancies within the encampments and rising syphilis cases in Pierce County (per the Tacoma Health Department). A second woman reported moving 12 times in the past year and had been treated for cellulites in a hospital setting; she still showed signs of infection needing additional medical care. She was no longer in the encampment the following day. Status unknown at this time. An older gentleman who has been in a broken down van was slightly weaker this week. He reported a "resolved" cough" but his right foot was swollen and bruised after stubbing his toe this week. Nails were long and needed care. Learned that Tacoma Fire Department has a BLS medical transport van (known as the T49 service). This may be a resource that can be tapped into; 9-1-1 may need to be called first, but may be able to partner with TFD on this. Here's a resource that may be helpful for transport: TFD Cares and the phone # 253-534-8734. Noted different persons coming in and out of the camp; less approachable than previous visits and many who admitted to not being homeless, but were "just visiting." For those rounding on the encampments this next week, additional important information on new viral infection, Monkeypox (MPX) from the Tacoma Pierce County Public Health Department incudes the following: Re: Monkeypox (MPX). "MPX is a rare viral infection spread through skin to skin or droplet contact/ the current threat of transmission remains low in the US. Anyone with a new rash should see a medical provider (Sea Mar and CHC are good resources for unsheltered encampment residents: downtown, Sea Mar on 11th street and CHC at 11th/MLK). Report suspected cases to TPCHD at 253-649-1412." *Will post additional medical resources in a separate post* Nothing to report in Kitsap County this week. Will keep you posted. Thanks again to all who are actively working on solutions and praying for solutions.