WILMINGTON, MA — At last night’s Selectmen meeting, the Board and community received an update on the town’s COVID-19 response from Wilmington Health Director Shelly Newhouse and Wilmington Fire Chief Bill Cavanaugh.
Health Director Newhouse reported the town’s latest COVID-19 cases:
- AdviniaCare — 61 positives, 14 deaths
- CareOne — 28 positives, 5 deaths
- Community — 32 positives, 32 recoveries, 3 deaths
“I’m so sorry to the residents who had a family member pass away. It’s so sad when I get these things reported to me everyday,” added Newhouse. “This is the week, and probably next week, that I expect the hardest hit in terms of numbers. We’ll then hopefully see a leveling off and decline.”
Fire Chief Cavanaugh noted his department has seen an increase in medical calls, primarily due to COVID-19. He noted it’s a high-stress environment for his crew.
“It’s difficult to have to go into [the nursing homes]. We’re not getting the best outcome we’d hope for, but that’s the nature of what’s going on,” said Cavanaugh. “Our first responders are doing the best they can to keep up with the demand. All are doing a very good job.”
Cavanaugh noted that personnel and equipment are constantly being decontaminated. Firefighters are taking extra precautions during their shifts and wearing masks and gloves as part of their normal operating procedure.
Selectmen thanked Cavanaugh and Newhouse for their efforts. Newhouse was praised for the detail and frequentness of her COVID-19 status updates to the public.
Selectmen began the meeting with a moment of silence for all the residents who have recently passed away due to COVID-19 complications.
AdviniaCare Update
Fire Chief Cavanaugh stated he shared concerns with many family members who are having difficulty communicating with their loved ones living at AdviniaCare.
“We’re marking sure we’re holding [AdviniaCare’s] feet to the fire so they’re taking as best care of your loved ones — and our residents — as they can,” said Cavanaugh, who noted the town has offered to assist the facility with finding personal protection equipment and personnel.
“This is an extremely challenging period of time, but especially for those individuals who have a family member at AdviniaCare,” added Town Manager Jeff Hull. “It’s hard to, quite frankly, imagine the circumstances — you can’t physically go in and see your loved ones. And one challenge that’s been particularly problematic is the inability of family members to communicate with their loved ones in long-term care facilities.”
Hull indicated that he has spoken with AdviniaCare’s COO, who explained that the facility’s Recreation Coordinator is now serving full-time as the point-of-contact, trying to connect family members with their loved ones through technology. Time slots have been scheduled for residents to speak with family members over the phone and through FaceTime with iPads that are being loaned out.
“I hope the communication plan is working, but I’ve seen a number of emails where this has not reportedly been the case,” noted Hull. “It’s a point we continue to raise in our conference calls with AdviniaCare. This is a concern amongst us.”
Hull noted another challenge in getting AdviniaCare the resources they need, particularly medical staff. Partners Healthcare, which owns and operates AdviniaCare, is likely redeploying 4-5 nurse and nurse practitioners. Wilmington’s legislative delegation is reaching out to educational institutions in eastern Massachusetts to see if there’s any opportunities for recent medical graduates to help out. Wilmington’s state senator Bruce Tarr has personally spoken with Lt. Governor Karyn Polito about the matter.
“There’s no question AdviniaCare is having staffing issues,” said Selectmen Chair Greg Bendel, who noted Polito’s team is monitoring the situation and that the state’s COVID-19 Command Center, along with DPH and MEMA, is in receipt of the town’s request for additional staffing at AdviniaCare.
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