Coronavirus spreading in Wilbraham health care facility, 8 residents dead, 46 test positive

WILBRAHAM – Eight residents at a local nursing and rehabilitation facility have died of COVID-19 and more than 40 percent of the residents have tested positive for the virus.

Vero Health & Rehab of Wilbraham is the latest nursing facility that has seen the coronavirus spread rapidly and infect residents, many of whom are elderly or have pre-existing health conditions making them the most vulnerable to the virus.

“Like so many long-term care facilities across the country, we are working hard to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus. During this time, our dedicated staff has worked diligently to keep our residents and facility staff safe and healthy. We thank them for their continued care of residents during this trying time,” Scott Bullock, Vero Health & Rehab of Wilbraham Administrator, said in writing.

Currently 46 of the 112 residents at the home have tested positive for COVID-19 and 23 of 30 employees tested were positive for the virus, Bullock said.

All eight residents who have died had pre-existing medical conditions and four were receiving hospice care when they contracted COVID-19, he said.

In March, administrators of Vero Health, initiated a plan to contain and mitigate the spread of the coronavirus which adheres to state and federal Centers for Disease Control guidelines. The plan included closing admissions, restricting visitation but offering families an opportunity to speak to relatives through Facetime and other methods, he said.

All employees have received a pay raise. So far eight of the employees who contracted the virus have recovered and have returned to work under CDC guidelines, he said.

“We are deeply saddened by the loss of these residents. These are people whom we cared for day in and day out. Our hearts go out to their families, and we grieve with them,” Bullock said.

The facility is one of three former Wingate nursing and rehabilitation centers in the Pioneer Valley which were sold in September to a New York City investment firm.

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