WESTFIELD-As the confirmed number of COVID-19 cases continues to rise in the city, more testing continues at Western Massachusetts Hospital on East Mountain Road.
On Monday afternoon, there was “one presumed COVID-19 case and that patient is isolated” at Western Massachusetts Hospital (WMH), according to Ann Scales, spokesperson for the Commissioner’s Office, Massachusetts Department of Public Health, based in Boston.
Scales added there are ventilators available at the hospital should the need arise for a patient’s use.
Since last week, three patients with COVID-19 symptoms were tested with “negative” results and there are seven patients with results still pending. Scales did not indicate when the results would be available.
In an earlier statement, Scales said the hospital follows the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines for isolation of COVID-positive patients.
The hospital, 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.
Signage has been posted at WMH alerting area residents to a “no visitors” policy at this time.
On a related note, as of 10 a.m. on March 31, there were 57 confirmed COVID-19 cases, according to the City of Westfield’s website which is updated each morning.
