A notice in the entryway at Western Massachusetts Hospital states no visitors allowed. (HOPE E. TREMBLAY/THE WESTFIELD NEWS)
WESTFIELD-As the public continues its vigilance against the COVID-19 pandemic, state officials from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health have stated that all “non-urgent visits” be suspended by hospital visitors at Western Massachusetts Hospital on East Mountain Road.
Western Massachusetts Hospital (WMH), which originally opened in 1910 as a tuberculosis sanitarium, is part of the state’s Bureau of Hospitals, a system of four multi-specialty hospitals and the State Office of Pharmacy Services. Services at WMH include acute and chronic care to patients with a variety of diseases and complicated medical conditions, according to its website.
“Four patients have been tested for COVID-19 symptoms, one was negative, and three are pending results,” said Ann Scales, spokesperson for the Commissioner’s Office, Massachusetts Department of Public Health.
“WMH follows the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines for isolation of COVID-positive patients,” she added.
Scales noted the staff at WMH are following the guidelines set by the CDC for the care of patients – as well as for their own safety.
“We have approximately 254 FTE’s at the hospital,” she said.
At press time, Scales noted the hospital has 87 medical beds and 30 recovery beds.
The average medical census is 77 and the recovery beds census is 30, according to Scales.
“There are 74 medical patients and 30 transitional support services patients,” said Scales. “This is the recovery program run by Gandara.”
Signage has been posted alerting area residents of the “no visitors” policy at this time.
On a related note, the city is now updating its confirmed COVID-19 cases once daily at 10 a.m. at www.cityofwestfield.org/covid19. There were 24 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the city as of 10 a.m. on March 27.
On the state level, the Baker-Polito Administration has launched a new text-based notification system to deliver important information about the state’s COVID-19 response to state residents.
“Throughout this outbreak, we have consistently reminded our residents to get their information from trusted sources,” said Gov. Charlie Baker. “Today we’re making that easier. With the addition of this new communication tool, we’re making it easier for everyone to stay informed about state actions and important announcements related to COVID-19.”
The new messaging tool called “AlertsMA” will allow residents to subscribe to real-time notifications by texting the keyword COVIDMA to 888-777. After signing up, state and public health officials can send short messages and links to information directly to a resident’s cell phone or other mobile device.
The AlertsMA notifications can be used to share news, prevention information, and help connect residents to information that they are looking for through other public information channels, such as the state’s Information line, 2-1-1, and website searches on Mass.Gov.
