Coronavirus In Newton: 8 Die At Senior Living Facility

NEWTON, MA — Eight residents at Stone Rehabilitation & Senior Living in Newton Upper Falls have died and another 32 have tested positive for the new coronavirus, according to a spokesperson for the facility. Another 11 patients are pending tests.

"We send our deepest sympathies to the residents' families," said a spokesperson for the facility.

The news comes as the number of people who have tested positive for the coronavirus rose to 516 as of April 23 and the number of people who had died as of April 21 rose to 58.

Earlier this week The Falls at Cordingly Dam, a senior assisted living residence in Newton, reported that 18 residents had passed away after contracting the disease. Senior congregant living facilities have been especially hard hit during the coronavirus pandemic and have had to stop allowing visits, tightly monitor who comes in and out and work out plans to separate those who test positive for the disease. The governor has sent a National Guard mobile testing unit to facilities across the state in an effort to ensure testing.

At Stone Rehab, at least seven staff members had also tested positive for the virus that causes COVID-19 as of April 21.

"We wanted to test all our residents whether or not they were displaying any signs of sickness," Stone Rehab Executive Director Nicholas Baker said in a letter home to families. "As a result, we began testing residents over a week ago with the assistance of the National Guard. We were also allowed to test our staff members as our residents were tested."

The nonprofit residential care and skilled nursing facility has 82 beds, according to the state.

According to the facility, they are having residents self-isolate in their apartments or rooms, canceled all group activities, started screening residents for fever and respiratory symptoms, recommended residents practice social distancing and wash their hands frequently.

The facility also began screening staff at the beginning of their shift for fever and respiratory symptoms, documenting absences, shortness of breath, new or change in cough and sore throat.

"If they are ill, they will put on a facemask and self-isolate at home," reads the website.

"When our staff is caring for someone with COVID-19, we follow the same guidelines as we would for droplet and airborne precautions," said the facility's spokesperson in an email to Patch. "Our team is extensively trained on this due to treating residents that could potentially have TB, influenzas or other airborne illnesses from time to time. Of course, not to the frequency in which we are dealing with it now."

Staff said they typically use an N-95 mask, gloves, gown and face shield or goggles.

"We do currently have enough PPE to meet the needs of our staff and our residents," she said.

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