Arlington Senior Care Homes See 18 Cases Of Coronavirus

ARLINGTON, MA — Eighteen residents of two senior care facilities in Arlington have tested positive for the coronavirus, according to updated figures released by the town Wednesday. There have been 10 confirmed cases at Sunrise Assisted Living and eight at the Park Ave Health Center.

The National Guard will conduct testing at Sunrise Thursday as part of the state's Mobile Testing Program for nursing homes, assisted living facilities and rest homes. Residents and staff will be tested on-site, and results will be given in about two days.

"This program is a critical resource for our assisted living facilities, and we're thankful this initiative has been expanded to allow for onsite testing," Public Health Director Natasha Waden said in a statement. "The Town of Arlington has been closely working with staff to provide support and guidance throughout this pandemic, and we will continue to closely monitor their needs moving forward as well."

The state has launched a hotline to connect family members of nursing home and rest home residents with information and resources they seek. The line is staffed from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., seven days a week. Staff will coordinate across state agencies to help callers find answers to their questions. Families and community members can call the line at (617) 660-5399.

As of Wednesday, April 15, there are 99 cases of the coronavirus in Arlington.