42 Positive COVID-19 Cases at Casa de Ramana in Framingham

FRAMINGHAM – On Wednesday, April 22, the City of Framingham announced 61 news COVID-19 cases, including 42 at Casa de Ramana, on Franklin Street.

It was the first time the City of Framingham had publicly named a place where there was a positive coronavirus case since the panemic began.

SOURCE reached out to Casa de Ramana and asked how many of the cases were residents and how many staff and for a statement on Wednesday night.

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This morning, April 23, the news outlet received the following statement:

“Casa de Ramana proactively tested all residents and staff for COVID-19. We have received confirmation that individuals at Casa de Ramana Rehabilitation Center have tested positive,” said a spokesperson.

“As always, resident and staff safety is our top priority. We have prepared for this eventuality and we are implementing our mitigation protocol within our center. We are staying in very close communication with local
and state health officials and are following all the necessary steps to keep our residents and staff safe,” said the spokesperson.

The rehab facility did not answer how many cases were residents and how many were staff. The state lists the facility with 124 registered beds.

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On April 7, AARP Massachusetts requested the Baker-Polito administration “release publicly the names of nursing facilities with confirmed COVID-19 cases.”

“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.

Many nursing facilities in the State and in the City of Framingham have not been transparent on cases, and especially on the numbers.

Legislation at the State House will help force the hands of these facilities.

The Bill which passed the House of Representatives earlier this week, and now goes to the Massachusetts Senate “requires that facilities send data on COVID-19 positive cases and on mortalities to public health officials during this public health emergency.”

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