HOLYOKE — Visits to the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home have been temporarily suspended after a staff member tested positive for COVID-19 on Thursday.
The nonclinical staff member, who does not provide direct care to residents and was tested during this past week’s routine staff surveillance testing, was asymptomatic and was immediately sent home, according to a spokesperson for the state Executive Office of Health and Human Services. The staff member does, however, work on direct care units.
Veterans on the affected units as well as their families have been contacted. Visitation to all units, as well as movement throughout the facility, has been suspended until further notice.
“The Home is immediately taking enhanced precautions in the unit and throughout the Home, in addition to the continuation of strict infection control protocols to keep veteran residents and staff safe, as COVID-19 will be with us until there is a safe and effective vaccine available,” the spokesperson said in an email.
At least 76 veteran residents died of COVID-19 and at least 85 employees were infected with the disease during an outbreak earlier this year at the veterans home.
Former Soldiers’ Home superintendent Bennett Walsh, as well as the facility’s former medical director, Dr. David Clinton, face criminal neglect charges stemming from their alleged missteps during the early days of the outbreak at the facility.
On-site surveillance testing is being conducted every week at the Soldiers’ Home for both staff and veterans. The health of veterans at the facility is being monitored closely and retesting is being conducted as clinically appropriate.
Staff members at the Soldiers’ Home are required to wear N95 masks and face shields throughout their shifts, and full personal protective equipment is required whenever a staff member goes in or out of a veteran’s room.
On Sept. 23, the state began requiring mandatory COVID-19 testing for public employees at state-run 24/7 facilities, hospitals and congregate care settings.
Michael Connors can be reached at mconnors@gazettenet.com.