Quarantine Ordered At Somerville Senior Apartment Complex

SOMERVILLE, MA — Residents of the Mt. Pleasant senior apartment building in Somerville have been placed under a mandatory 14-day quarantine after eight cases of the new coronavirus were confirmed at the residence. The quarantine order was issued Saturday, April 18.

The 65-unit building houses seniors ages 62 and older and income-eligible people under 62 with disabilities. The Board of Health has been working with management to ensure residents get the supplies and groceries they need for quarantine, and the Council on Aging is offering support services to residents to answer their questions, connect them to resources, and assist with coordinating access to basic needs like groceries and medicine.

Building residents may contact the Council on Aging directly at 617-625-6600 x2300 or via 311 at 617-666-3311.

Officials said they are concerned that the true number of Mt. Pleasant residents already positive for COVID-19 is higher than the eight cases currently known, and they are working to secure further testing at the building. The quarantine is designed to minimize further spread of the virus.

"We are bracing for confirmation of more cases at Mt. Pleasant. But we are not willing to wait for more tests to take action to protect our residents. This building is home to community members who are at higher risk for serious COVID-19 complications, and to help protect them, their loved ones, building staff, and the broader community, we are ordering this quarantine," Mayor Joseph Curtatone said in a statement. "We've seen this virus leave a trail of heartbreak and death at senior residences across the nation. As a city, we are doing everything we can, but more support must come from federal and state agencies to stave off this growing crisis."

Under the mandatory quarantine, residents may leave the premises only to receive essential medical care and must remain in their units as much as possible. No visitors are allowed, all group events in the building have been canceled and any deliveries must be made according to safety protocols at the front entrance.

Management has also been ordered to provide for adequate sanitation of high-touch surfaces and common areas as well as for health screenings for essential staff. Residents and essential staff must also wear appropriate personal protective equipment and practice social distancing in all common areas.