NORTHAMPTON — Four outpatients treated by the Veterans Affairs medical center in Leeds have tested positive for COVID-19, according to federal data updated Wednesday.
Nationally, there are 1,602 positive cases of COVID-19 in veterans that the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is monitoring as of Wednesday, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs website. The same VA data also shows a national total of 53 veteran deaths due to COVID-19, though it is unclear whether any patients treated by the VA Central Western Massachusetts Healthcare System in Leeds have died.
Cassandra Pelullo, a spokeswoman for the Leeds facility, said the VA hospital is “is equipped with essential items and supplies to handle an influx of coronavirus cases and is following CDC and Massachusetts Department of Public Health guidelines for testing and reporting.”
She said everyone who enters the Leeds facility will be pre-screened for symptoms, travel and contact with those who have tested positive for COVID-19. Samples for the the coronavirus test are taken on site, Pelullo said, and are being processed through Quest Lab as well as in the facility’s laboratory department.
“Per CDC guidance and VA protocols, patients known to be at risk for a COVID-19 infection are immediately isolated to prevent potential spread to others,” Pelullo said.
Additionally, the VA in early March suspended new admissions and adopted a “no visitor” policy for its nursing homes, except for in “compassionate cases” when veterans are about to die in hospice units, according to a statement from the VA.
Veterans and staff are encouraged to follow basic hygiene, to stay at home if they are feeling sick and to call the VA before going to the facility if they are exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms or if they have been exposed to the virus, Pelullo said.
Michael Connors can be reached at mconnors@gazettenet.com.