National Guard Deployed To Brookline Faciliities

BROOKLINE, MA — Members of the National Guard have deployed to facilities that cater to seniors in Brookline, according to town officials.

The announcement comes as the number of people who tested positive for the new coronavirus rose to 177 Friday, and four have died after becoming ill. Across the state 34,402 people tested positive and 1,404 had died, the state announced the same day. Gov. Charlie Baker said the numbers would continue to rise amid a surge in cases. He hammered the need for testing to continue and noted he had requested earlier this week more National Guard to help with testing.

During the past two weeks the National Guard members have deployed to Goddard House and CareOne at Brookline to administer the coronavirus testing. Originally the town said the National Guard was deployed to Wingate at Chestnut Hill but later retracted that.

Wingate at Chestnut Hill and CareOne Brookline are both senior nursing/rehab facilities, which provide nursing care and rehabilitation for seniros.

The testing is part of the state’s Mobile Testing Program for nursing facilities, assisted living facilities and congregate homes, where residents and staff of facilities are able to be tested onsite.

According to Brookline officials testing results come back after two days.

"We’ve been in regular communication with these three assisted living communities to ensure they are doing everything they can to protect their residents, and that they are being supported in every way possible throughout this crisis," Director of Health and Human Services Dr. Swannie Jett said in a statement. "This program is a critical initiative from our state-level colleagues meant to protect vulnerable populations from this dangerous disease."

Family members of those in care can call the state’s Nursing Home Family Resource Line for more information at 617-660-5399 between 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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Patch reporter Jenna Fisher can be reached at Jenna.Fisher@patch.com or by calling 617-942-0474. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram (@ReporterJenna).

EDITORS NOTE: This article has been updated to clarify that Wingate at Chestnut Hill and CareOne Brookline are both senior nursing and rehab facilities.