Wilmington Nursing Home To Be Used For Coronavirus Treatment

WILMINGTON, MA — Wilmington's AdviniaCare nursing home will be converted into a coronavirus treatment facility, the operator Pointe Group Care said Tuesday evening. The home has 142 beds. It will be used to care for patients who are recovering from coronavirus but still need a high level of care, including oxygen support.

The current residents and patients will be transferred to other nursing facilities in the region. Pointe Group Care has begun informing families of the plan.

The state asked the company to convert its facility, "as part of a statewide effort to expand capacity for treating Covid-19 patients while freeing up space at acute care hospitals," according to the news release.

Pointe Group Care Chief Operating Officer Chris Hannon said the company hopes to help mitigate the crisis. The facility's existing care team will be supplemented with additional clinical support from Partners Health Care.

“It is our hope that the sacrifices made by our residents, patients and their families – as well as our dedicated, extraordinary staff – will help mitigate a public health crisis and have a positive impact on many,” Hannon said. “We believe, as a health care provider for our community, that this is the right thing to do in the interest of protecting the health of elders everywhere.”

“We are taking extreme care to minimize any potential negative effects from the transfer of our long-term care residents and rehabilitation patients. Our number one priority is their health and safety,” AdviniaCare at Wilmington Administrator John Benedetti said. “We are keeping our families fully aware of the situation and working closely with public health officials to ensure the best possible clinical outcomes.

Don't miss updates about precautions in your area as they are announced. Sign up for Patch news alerts and newsletters

Latest coronavirus coverage

• Latest: 33 More Dead, Nearly 900 More Cases
• Court Considers Release Of Inmates With Coronavirus Risks
• State Looks To Cancel Or Delay MCAS
• At War With Coronavirus: Nurse Details Struggles
• Coronavirus In MA: Crime Drops As Residents Stay Home

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