FRAMINGHAM – On Tuesday, the National Guard, at the request of the facility, was at the Mary Ann Morse at Heritage testing for COVID-19.
On Wednesday, the Water Street senior living facility had 3 residents who had tested positive.
Today, April 16, Mary Ann Morse at Heritage now has 5 residents who have tested positive, according to CEO Lisa Kubiak.
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“As noted yesterday, we will continue to provide our families with the most up-to-date information available while navigating this pandemic together. We cannot promise the news will be easy, but it is honest. Today’s update includes results from recent testing conducted by the National Guard. Additional cases of COVID-19 have been identified, which provides us with more clarity and assists us in helping each resident stay safe,” said Kubiak.
The CEO began to provide daily updates as of April 15, after the National Guard came to the Nobscot facility and conduct tests on April 14.
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“To provide the best possible care for everyone, we requested testing for everyone in the unit where there are confirmed cases. We are grateful to report that the situation remains relatively stable in Framingham,” said the CEO.
On Tuesday, 27 residents were tested.
Of those tested, two were positive, said the CEO.
On Tuesday, 28 staff members were tested, and all 28 were negative, said the CEO.
The CEO said all 5 residents who are positive have been confided to one unit of the Water Street building.
One staff member is also positive, said the CEO.
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Kubiak said one resident has recovered, two are recovering in apartments, and two are 2 recovering in the hospital.
She said the staff member is recovering at home.
“The news at our nursing facility is difficult for all of us. We cherish the people whom we care for, they are everything to us. We continue to focus on compassionately serving their needs, and keeping them healthy, safe, and comfortable –all the while facing challenges that are unprecedented. Our hearts and deepest sympathies go out to the families who have lost loved ones,” said the CEO.
At the Mary Ann Morse in Natick, 8 residents have died.
AARP Massachusetts sent a letter to the Massachusetts Governor this week seeking the names of senior facilities with confirmed COVID-19 cases made public.
2Life Communities have been very public releasing this information during the crisis.
“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.
The City is not data on senior living facilities and nursing homes. SOURCE has requested a list of all nursing and senior facilities with a positive case of COVID-19, and the numbers at each facility.
The state releases some data on these facilities daily.