UPDATED: 3 Residents From Waterview Lodge Rehab & Healthcare Have Died After Testing Positive For COVID-19

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ASHLAND – Three residents from the Waterview Lodge Rehabilitation & Healthcare facility have died from COVID-19 complications, SOURCE has learned.

It is unclear if the three individuals who died, were among the five residents who were transported by Ashland firefighters to Framingham Union Hospital. All five of those residents who were transported tested positive for COVID-19

In 2016, Indira Desai, president and CEO of Laxmi Corporation and Resident Care Rehabilitation & Nursing Care opened the 103-bed Waterview Lodge Rehabilitation & Healthcare facility at 250 West Union Street in Ashland.

“On Thursday April 9, it came to our attention that a few of our elderly residents with co-morbidities displayed mild flu-like symptoms.  Our staff responded immediately, and subsequently transferred 5 residents to a local hospital.  Our thoughts are with them and their families,” said Desai in a statement to SOURCE today, April 14.

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“For the past month, we have been working closely with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and the Ashland Health Department implementing precautionary measures to prevent COVID-19, including prohibiting visitors, screening staff members as they start their shifts, and ensuring all staff members wear personal protective equipment (PPE).  Our clinical staff members are working harder than ever before.  All of our residents are being monitored daily for COVID-19 symptoms. We are fortunate to have some of the best nurses and clinical support staff in the State caring for our residents and we are grateful to them for their commitment and devotion,” said Desai, in a statement.

“We also appreciate the support and assistance from Health Director, Mark Oram of the Ashland Health Department, Chief Keith Robie, and the entire Ashland Fire Department during this time,” said Desai.

“Protecting the health and well-being of our residents and employees remains our top priority. We continue to be on high alert and will take every precautionary step possible,” said Desai in a statement.

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The 52,000 square foot healthcare facility on the Ashland-Hopkinton line provides individuals with orthopedic, stroke, cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation services in private and semi-private rooms

The 4-story facility also provides long-term care unit for residents who are no longer able to manage on their own.

The Town of Ashland reported 58 individuals have tested positive for the coronavirus, with zero deaths as of yesterday, April 13.

AARP Massachusetts sent a letter to the Massachusetts Governor this month seeking the names of senior facilities with confirmed COVID-19 cases made public.

“We urge Massachusetts’ Department of Public Health to release publicly the names of nursing facilities with confirmed COVID-19 cases,” wrote AARP Massachusetts on behalf of its 775,000 AARP members in Massachusetts.

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“Contrary to concerns that such disclosures would violate a patient’s health privacy, we do not believe HIPAA precludes a state health agency from releasing the names of facilities because a facility is not a covered entity as defined by federal law. We believe transparency and notice to the public is critical for public health,” wrote AARP Massachusetts.

“Moreover, caregivers and family members need and deserve to have this information for their own health decisions and as they consider possible next steps and interventions for their loved ones,” wrote AARP Massachusetts.