ATHOL – Heywood Healthcare President Winfield Brown said in a briefing Monday that 1,200 people in the system’s coverage area had been tested for the COVID-19 virus. Of those, 959 have come back negative for the illness, while 198 have tested positive, for a positive test rate of 16.7 percent.
Currently, six in-patients at Heywood Hospital in Gardner are being treated for the coronavirus, two of whom are intensive care, and test results are being awaited on eight other in-patients.
Brown took time out of his Sunday night briefing to thank several people for showing kindness to workers at Athol Hospital, which is overseen by Heywood Healthcare.
“CVS in Athol delivered Easter treats to the Athol staff, and that was fantastic,” he said. “Also, the Warren family made beautiful angel pins and delivered them to the Athol staff as well. Thank you for that gift, especially on Easter, because we have staff that are working and it’s nice for them to get a special treat and recognition while some of us get to be home celebrating with our family.”
Brown also credited Athol’s L.S. Starrett Company, which is manufacturing 3D face shields for use on the Athol campus.
“I also want to recognize our local nursing homes and assisted living facilities, who are working under very challenging circumstances in their facilities,” Brown said. “A shout-out to all of them for the great work they’re doing and the partnership we have together. So, let’s keep those folks in mind as well.”
Brown also noted that facilities in the Heywood system spent much of Sunday preparing for the storm that hit the region with rain and high winds on Monday. Particular attention was paid to securing the testing tents on the Heywood Hospital campus.