WILMINGTON, MASS. (WHDH) - Seventy-seven residents of AdviniaCare at Wilmington have tested positive for coronavirus, officials said.
The 77 positive cases are out of 91 total residents of the facility. The residents tested positive, while asymptomatic, according to the facility.
Seven residents who were receiving end-of-life-care before testing positive passed away as well.
In a statement, the company said, “Our thoughts are with the families who have lost a relative and we are hoping for a speedy recovery for those who have tested positive, most of whom remain asymptomatic at this time.”
Earlier this month, the skilled nursing facility was preparing to temporarily convert itself into a COVID-19 recovery building, in order to help Massachusetts address the pandemic.
The state halted its plans on April 3 after test results revealed that nearly half of the residents slated to leave tested positive for the illness. The residents tested positive, while asymptomatic.
“To say we are surprised by the findings would be an understatement,” said Chris Hannon, Chief Operating Officer at Pointe Group Care at the time. “Considering how aggressive we have been, this points to how insidious this virus is; we are fighting an invisible enemy. We are ensuring that residents with the illness get the specialized care and support that they need.”
Pointe Group Care has been working in close partnership with the Massachusetts Covid-19 Response Command Center and Partners HealthCare to plan the transition, in response to a request from the Commonwealth to do so.
“The testing protocol that was put in place at the facility prevented further spread of the disease,” commented Chuck Tsun-Zhi Pu, MD, Medical Director, Population Health, Partners HealthCare. “It makes clear the challenging clinical circumstances that we are all operating under, and the important role that testing plays in battling this pandemic.”
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