WESTFIELD-As the confirmed number of COVID-19 cases reached 108 by Saturday morning in the city, at least one patient at Western Massachusetts Hospital may be declared clinically “COVID free” by next week, according to Ann Scales, spokesperson for the Commissioner’s Office, Massachusetts Department of Public Health.
Western Massachusetts Hospital (WMH) is part of the state’s Bureau of Hospitals, a system of four multi-specialty hospitals and the State Office of Pharmacy Services.
Scales noted that 10 patients in total have been tested for COVID-19 since the outbreak began approximately two weeks ago, and seven of those patients tested negative.
“There is one patient currently who is in isolation and is recovering,” said Scales. “The patient may be declared clinically COVID free by mid to late next week.”
Scales added that two patients as of Saturday afternoon are still awaiting test results.
Anthony R. DiStefano, MPA, is the acting CEO at Western Massachusetts Hospital on East Mountain Road in Westfield. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)
In related news at the hospital, Anthony R. DiStefano, MPA, is serving as acting CEO since Valenda M. Liptak, who had served as CEO at WMH, was tapped to now oversee the day-to-day operations at the Soldiers’ Home in Holyoke. DiStefano had previously served as chief operating officer at WMH for more than five years and had also served as chief financial officer of the Soldiers’ Home for 12 years, according to Scales.
Gov. Charlie Baker has hired Attorney Mark W. Pearlstein to conduct an independent investigation of the Soldiers’ Home and the events that led to the recent deaths from COVID-19 within that facility. The investigation will focus both on the events inside the facility that led to the deaths, and on management and organizational oversight of the COVID-19 response in the Soldiers’ Home. The administrator at the time, Superintendent Bennett Walsh, has been placed on paid leave as the investigation gets underway.
As of Friday, 21 veteran residents at the Holyoke facility have died, according to officials of the state Health and Human Services Department.
For residents who are seeking up-to-date information relative to COVID-19, visit the Massachusetts Department of Public Health website at www.mass.gov/covid19.
