OAKLAND GROVE TO SERVE AS A COVID-19 SPECIALTY NURSING HOME
May 4, 2020
Contact: Nicole Haynes, Administrative Assistant
nhaynes@woonsocketri.org
OAKLAND GROVE TO SERVE AS A COVID-19 SPECIALTY NURSING HOME
WOONSOCKET, R.I.: On Saturday, May 2nd, 2020 the City of Woonsocket received notification, from the State of Rhode Island, that the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) has entered into a contract with Oakland Grove to serve as a COVID-19 Specialty Nursing Home. This is the second health care facility in the State to be designated a specialty site. Beginning May 3rd, 2020 Oakland Grove will start accepting COVID-19 positive patients as well as those who are COVID-19 symptomatic.
Current residents of Oakland Grove who do not have COVID-19 symptoms will be relocated to a separate unit within the facility. All residents and staff will be closely monitored for any COVID-19 symptoms and very aggressive infection control measures will remain the standard.
During this stressful time, with confusing and conflicting information pertaining to the COVID-19 pandemic, the addition of a dedicated COVID-19 treatment facility in Woonsocket may add to the concerns of our citizens. However, the addition of this treatment facility is a major step in protecting our most vulnerable population and will most certainly aid in the containment of COVID-19 in Rhode Island.
It’s imperative that the citizens of the City of Woonsocket rest assured that Woonsocket’s Division of Public Safety, Police, Fire and EMS adhere to a very stringent isolation protocol as outlined by the CDC. We will continue to deliver the same level of service, coupled with the highest degree of precaution, to protect the public from any further spread of the COVID-19 virus.
The City of Woonsocket has a long standing and excellent working relationship with Oakland Grove, and we will work in conjunction with Oakland Grove in controlling COVID-19 and providing a safe environment for our most at-risk population. We wish to emphasize that the City of Woonsocket will continue to lead from the forefront in the control and eventual eradication of COVID-19 from our community.
Please refer any other questions or concerns to Nicole Haynes, administrative assistant to Chief Shatraw, at nhaynes@woonsocketri.org. -30-