Coronavirus: Holyoke Soldiers’ Home superintendent placed on leave, at least 5 residents die from COVID-19

The Holyoke Soldiers’ Home superintendent has been placed on paid administrative leave after at least five — and possibly as many as 11 — veterans living there have died of COVID-19. An additional 25 residents are believed to have contracted the coronavirus.

Bennett Walsh was placed on leave effective immediately, said Dan Tsai, deputy secretary of the state Department of Health and Human Services.

Walsh did not return calls asking for comment. He was sworn in as superintendent in July 2016 and his salary for fiscal year 2020 is $122,299, according to the state salary database.

“It is imperative that the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home provides a safe environment for the veteran residents, and the dedicated staff who serve them,” Tsai said.

Val Liptak, a registered nurse and CEO of Western Massachusetts Hospital in Westfield, is assuming responsibility for the administration of the Soldiers’ Home. Chief Operating Officer Anthony DiStefano will oversee day-to-day operations of the facility, Tsai said.

The response comes as the number of cases in the Soldiers’ Home has been rapidly increasing. As of Monday afternoon, the home has had 11 resident deaths. Five of the veterans who died have tested positive for COVID-19 and test results are pending for five others. The cause of one death is unknown.

In addition, 11 other residents have tested positive for COVID-19 and 25 more have test results pending. Five staff have also tested positive for the virus.

Officials have also formed an onsite clinical command team made up of medical, epidemiological, and operational experts responsible for the comprehensive and rapid response to the outbreak of COVID-19, Tsai said.

The National Guard has been asked to assist in the testing of residents and to expedite the results, officials said.

Residents who are suspected of having the virus are tested and have been isolated following U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines. Their families have also been notified, officials said.

Employees who are believed to have been exposed have been told to stay home and quarantine until their symptoms go away, officials said.

“All of these enhancements will build upon the existing protocols and work that align with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Department of Veterans Affairs, and Massachusetts Department of Public Health guidance,” Tsai said. “Today’s actions underscore the state’s commitment to our veterans and frontline health care employees during this unprecedented public health crisis.”

The Holyoke Soldiers’ Home provides long-term care, hospice care and other medical services for military veterans. Care is provided in two buildings, the main facility, which has 247 beds, and a separate 30-room dorm. It is not known if the home is currently at capacity.

Holyoke Mayor Alex B. Morse issued a statement saying he was shocked and grief-stricken about the deaths at the Soldiers’ Home. He called for flags to be flown at half-staff on Tuesday to honor the veterans who have died and to recognize their past service to the country.

“It is in large part thanks to the outreach of staff from the state-run facility to my office on Saturday that I was alerted to the growing issues at the Soldiers’ Home,” Morse said.

Since then he said he has talked to Health and Human Services Secretary Marylou Sudders and her team, who have agreed to update city officials with the situation at the Soldiers’ Home. Morse then pledged to share the information with residents.

“It has been devastating to hear about the full extent of the COVID-19 outbreak at the Soldiers’ Home. While I am grateful that the State is now taking swift action to ensure residents and staff get necessary care and treatment, I am grief-stricken for those we have already lost, and my heart goes out to their families and friends. The devastating impact of this virus on an individual is made worse by the limitations on their loved ones to mourn and grieve in traditional ways for those who have passed,” he said.

U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal has also been in direct contact with Gov. Charlie Baker’s office about the deaths at the Holyoke Soldiers’ home and will have another call with Sudders on Tuesday, said William Tranghese, Neal’s chief of staff.

Visitors have been banned from the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home since March 14 and the outpatient department was closed for veterans who receive different types of medical care there to try to prevent the coronavirus from infecting the residents and employees, officials said.

In addition, the Soldiers’ Home has been taking the temperature of every employee as they enter the building to help identify if they may be falling ill. Each employee has been given personal protective equipment as they walk through the door, officials said.

Additional hand sanitation stations have been added throughout the building and there has been an increase in disinfection and cleaning during the day, especially in high-touch areas. Movements have also been restricted for residents in the long-term care facility and the independent living facility.

“While we continue to have our doors closed to visitors, we recognize the hardship this may cause our Veterans and their families,” said a notice from the Soldiers’ Home posted on Facebook. It added that the staff was helping to set up virtual visits with families.

“Every staff member is pulling together to make sure our veterans are getting the quality care and life enrichment they deserve during this difficult and uncertain time. We thank you for your patience and support while we protect those who protected us,” the post said.

Morse said it is vital that residents take the virus seriously, by staying home if at all possible, staying at least six feet from anyone else, not leaving the house when sick and washing hands frequently. Although younger people may be infected with mild symptoms, they can pass the virus to those who are more vulnerable, he said.

Those who are over 65 or have pre-existing health conditions are especially vulnerable to the disease, and all residents at the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home fall into one or both of the two categories.

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