BOSTON (AP) — Two residents of another veterans care center in Massachusetts have died of COVID-19, officials said Wednesday.
The confirmation of the deaths at the Chelsea Soldiers’ Home come as state officials reported the deaths of 15 residents, at least six of which are coronavirus-related, at the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home. Another 11 residents and seven staff members at the Holyoke facility have tested positive, officials said.
“COVID-19 cases in the Chelsea Soldiers’ Home are being isolated, closely monitored, and tracked daily, and we are deeply saddened to report today that a resident of our community died of this infection,” home spokesman Timothy Leazott said in an emailed statement.
Gov. Charlie Baker said officials at the Chelsea facility “followed all the rules and protocols they’re supposed to follow with respect to both operating an elder care facility at a time of COVID-19 and reporting on critical incidents when they occur.”
Baker announced Wednesday that he has hired a former federal prosecutor, Mark Pearlstein, to investigate the deaths at the Holyoke facility.
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