Woburn Coronavirus: No Resident Cases At New Horizons At Choate

WOBURN, MA — No resident cases of the new coronavirus were detected in widespread testing at Woburn's New Horizons at Choate assisted living facilitiy, Monday. The Massachusetts National Guard tested all available residents and staff, the facility's owner and operator, the Cummings Foundation, said.

One part-time staff member tested positive and is now quarantined, the foundation said in a news release.

Christine Coakley, the executive director of New Horizons at Choate and a longtime Woburn resident, said the facility has adapted to protect the staff from the virus.

"We are grateful to our staff for their strict adherence to public health guidelines, and to our residents and families who have adapted their lifestyles in the best interest of the whole community," Coakley said. "Recognizing that these results represent only snapshot in time, and involve an element of luck, we hope that this positive trend continues."

According to the release, the facility had two positive cases earlier in April: one resident and one staff member. Both were quarantined and the resident tested negatie, Monday.

There have been major outbreaks at long-term care facilities in Wilmington and Belmont, the release notes. Mayor Scott Galvin asked the city's six facilities to get testing, last Thursday. The city reported Tuesday that there was a significant rise in cases following tests at the facilities.

Coakley requested testing for New Horizons at Choate Friday.

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