HOLYOKE, MASS. (WHDH) - Gov. Charlie Baker says state officials will “get to the bottom” of what led to 13 recent deaths at the Holyoke Soldiers Home, at least six of which have been linked to the deadly coronavirus.
During a news conference Tuesday, Baker announced two additional deaths at the veterans hospital, calling it a “tragic situation” and noting that he has visited the facility numerous times in the past.
“As someone who has visited this amazing place on multiple occasions and found it to be a source of joy and grace and comfort and kindness to the residents, their families, and the staff that works there,” Baker said. “This episode is a gut-wrenching loss that is nothing short of devastating to all of us. Our hearts go out to the families, and the loved ones, and the staff who have been so horribly impacted by this series of events.”
“I was absolutely shocked to find out,” said Holyoke Mayor Alex Morse. “I was pretty upset that the city wasn’t notified and we were left in the dark about what’s happening there.”
Baker said public health experts are on the ground at the facility conducting a thorough review, which will include testing all of the residents and staffers.
“They are many of our state’s finest, all of whom served our country, and all of whom sacrificed on our behalf,” Baker said. “In the short term, our primary focus is going to be on stabilizing and supporting the health and safety of the residents and their families and we will get to the bottom of what happened and when and by who.”
Health and Human Services Secretary Mary Lou Sudders said a clinical command team has been on-site at the hospital since Monday morning and members of the National Guard were there on Tuesday.
Starting late Sunday night and through Monday, a series of actions were taken at the Holyoke Soldiers Home to ensure the safety of staffers and residents at the Holyoke Soliders Home.
“Our priority is to ensure that the home is stabilized,” she said, adding that five of those who have died have tests pending, one tested negative for coronavirus, and another is not yet known.
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