CP 'hotel' welcomes frontline workers

SANDUSKY — Upon setting foot in a hotel, guests can't wait to check-in and get settled. But visitors staying at this Sandusky-based makeshift lodge likely feel best when they're checking out and leaving the property — and that's exactly what Erie County officials hope happens. With Cedar Point's blessing, the Erie County Health Department established a "Quarantine Hotel," transforming Pipe Creek Campus on Cleveland Road (U.S. 6) into private chambers for local first responders and area health care workers who contracted COVID-19 or exhibit coronavirus-like symptoms. "The Pipe Creek Campus is normally used for employee housing," Cedar Point spokesman Tony Clark said. "The facility is not currently occupied, so when the Erie County Health Department requested the use of an available facility, we were happy to assist them and the emergency workers on the frontlines." Pete Schade, the county's health commissioner, initially talked about this idea with Cedar Point back in February. Both parties soon thereafter came to terms on a deal, which didn't involve any money changing hands. "This is a really big hats off to Cedar Point for allowing us to use it," said Schade, who added the amusement park isn't charging a fee whatsoever, treating this as a donation of sorts. "They are always contributing to the community, and they do so much more than just pay taxes to support the city, county and region. I can't thank them enough." Accommodations at the Quarantine Hotel Only recently did the hotel "welcome" guests, and 11 people are now staying there. This would include some nurses from the Ohio Veterans Home, where several residents have tested positive for COVID-19. They'll remain there until their tests come back negative "or whatever other situation would relieve them to leave," Schade said. The same holds true for future guests. Health officials recommend — or, in some drastic cases, mandate — who must stay at this 40-room inn for a minimum 14-day stay. Those infected can't leave, which prevents them from transmitting COVID-19 to people such as family members, nursing home patients and fellow frontline colleagues. "If they are in official quarantine, they are to not leave the premises at all," Schade said. "If they need medical care, we can release them." Between Cedar Point and the health department, guests receive food, laundry services and other basic amenities. To Schade's knowledge, no such setup — a temporary housing facility of this degree specifically for COVID-19 patients — exists anywhere within a 50-mile radius. "This is the stuff other health departments can only dream about doing, and here we are doing it," Schade said.