6/24/2020 Press Conference on COVID-19 Updates

On June 24th, Governor Baker gave a press conference to provide a COVID-19 update on the Holyoke Soldiers Field Home.

Here is the summary.

Holyoke Soldiers Field Home

• In late March, the Administration responded to an emergency situation at the Holyoke Soldiers Home by dispatching a team of public health experts to the facility. The team set up a clinical health command team and testing operation for all residents and staff. It was unclear as to what the scope of the problem was or how it was able to deteriorate to the level that it did. 

  • On April 1st, the Administration was able to retain Mark Pearlstein, a former federal prosecutor, to conduct an independent investigation of what occurred. The only expense to the State was a $26,000 staffing study. 

  • The investigation found that there were errors made before COVID-19, in preparation for COVID-19, and in their initial response to the pandemic. The report found that under the leadership of Superintendent Bennett Walsh, the Holyoke Soldiers Home failed to prepare even before the pandemic outbreak occurred. The report also disclosed multiple errors in judgment about infection control and resident care including missed opportunities to prepare for defending against the virus that exposed the veterans to grave risk. 

    • This is shown to be particularly true with respect to the decision by senior leadership to combine two units of veterans, only some of whom were COVID-19 positive, into a single, consolidated unit under deplorable conditions. The evidence shows there was a failure in leadership starting with the superintendent and others in his team. 

    • Other evidence shows that there were delays in testing veterans when they were symptomatic, delays in closing common spaces to prevent spread, failure to stop rotating staff among units, inconsistent use of personal protective equipment, lack of compassion for the veterans, and more. 

  • The Administration accepted the resignation of Secretary of Veteran Affairs, Francisco Urena, Former Medical Director, David Clinton, Department of Veteran Services General Counsel, Stuart Ivimey.

  • Immediate action has already been taken to remove unqualified staff from the Home and move the Home to recovery. 

  • Mark Pearlstein and his team have made recommendations that will be implemented as soon as they are reviewed. In addition, the Administration plans to introduce more reforms including legislation to upgrade the governance of the facility tomorrow. 

  • The Administration will also be outlining several measures to be addressing the trauma the staff has experienced. 

  • The new team on the ground has done tremendous work to stabilize the home and support the veterans. They have created a path to recovery by immediately triaging and assessing all residents based on their needs. Yesterday, zero veterans in the Home tested positive for COVID-19. More details of the reform will be outlined tomorrow.