North Reading Coronavirus: 59 Nursing Home Residents Infected

NORTH READING, MA — Royal Meadow View nursing and rehabilitation center in North Reading has 59 patients and 17 employees who tested positive for the new coronavirus, as of Thursday. The town was told that the patients that have tested positive are overall asymptomatic, with three patients showing symptoms.

There are currently 86 patients at Meadow View, which is licensed for 113 beds.

On March 12th, the Health Department met with management of Meadow View to discuss COVID-19, provide guidance, and review their plans. Upon learning of two COVID-19 positive employees on April 10th followed by a COVID-19 positive patient on April 14th, the North Reading Health Department ordered all patients and employees at Meadow View to be tested.

Meadow View requested test kits from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) on April 14th. The Town also concurrently requested expedited testing by the National Guard through MDPH beginning April 14th. Test kits were delivered on April 18th, and testing was performed by Meadow View’s staff on April 19th without requiring National Guard assistance. Test results from the kits submitted on April 19th were received April 22nd.

The Town was told that Meadow View is informing family members and moving patients among rooms to separate positive from negative patients, and MDPH advised that they would work directly with Meadow View regarding this separation of patients. Meadow View and MDPH indicated that they will coordinate regarding potential supplemental staffing at Meadow View as needed.