Over 300 Staff, Patient Coronavirus Cases At Tewksbury Hospital

TEWKSBURY, MA — Nearly a month after an United States Army Reserve unit was deployed to the hospital, hundreds of Tewksbury Hospital staff and patients have tested positive for the coronavirus and remain in isolation. Thirteen patients have died.

Two patients died on site while the other 11 were transferred to an acute care facility for treatment.

As of Monday night, 143 patients have tested positive. One hundred sixty-four have tested negative. Among staff, 185 have tested positive. One employee has died but it is unknown if it was related to the virus, according to the Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS).

An Army Reserve Urban Augmentation Medical Task Force of 85 medical soldiers from the 94th Army Reserve was sent to the hospital the week of April 20. According to the EOHHS, the task force is still on site. Another unit which was at Lemuel Shattuck Hospital has been redeployed.

"Many staff are recovering and are able to return to work safely, in accordance with CDC and DPH return to work guidelines," according to an EOHHS spokesperson. "Returning staff, agency contracted staff, and the expedited hiring and onboarding of new permanent staff are positioning the hospitals to move forward in responding to and moving past the public health crisis safely."

Additional staff testing was offered at the state hospital this week. Army Reserve medical soldiers are supplementing the reduced staff.

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Christopher Huffaker can be reached at 412-265-8353 or chris.huffaker@patch.com.