The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
CVH reports 1 more coronavirus case
In all, 15 staff, patients throughout network have tested positive
MIDDLETOWN — Connecticut Valley Hospital is reporting an additional staff member working in the western portion of the state is positive for coronavirus, bringing the total number of infected individuals among its facilities to 15.
The state-run mental health and substance use disorder treatment facility in Middletown supplied up-to-date figures Thursday — a third consecutive day of updates to the public. That’s an increase of 4 cases compared to Wednesday, when the total was 11.
Connecticut Valley Hospital: Six patients, two staff
Whiting Forensic Hospital: Six patients
Capitol Regional Mental Health Center: None
Connecticut Mental Health Center: None
River Valley Services:
None
Southeast Mental Health Authority: None
Southwest Connecticut Mental Health System:
None
Western Connecticut Mental Health Network:
One staff
In other news, the state Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services announced Thursday evening it will temporarily close CVH’s Middletown detoxification unit to new admissions Friday.
Currently, there are eight patients on the unit, according to a press release. The average length of stay for patients on the unit is between four and seven days.
Staff will be temporarily reassigned to a 13-bed isolation unit for CVH patients with Covid-19 or fill in staffing needs created by other hospital employees who have volunteered to work in the isolation area, the release said.
“Like many other hospitals and medical facilities throughout the state, we are grappling with the challenge of continuing to provide routine services while responding to the Covid-19 outbreak,” DMHAS Commissioner Miriam Delphin-Rittmon said.
Over the coming weeks, the state anticipates seeing a surge in coronavirus cases, she added, making these measures all the more necessary.
The agency will continue to accept admissions to its detox unit at the Blue Hills campus in Hartford and its rehabilitation units in both Middletown and Hartford.
A total of 36 employees, including doctors, nurses, mental health assistants, social workers and a counselor, will be transferred temporarily for 90 days in accordance with the state and New England Health Care Employees Union District 1199, the release added.
⏩ Adjusting outpatient services while promoting social distancing, including telephone check-ins and closing wellness centers and social clubs.
⏩ Restricting visitors from DMHAS facilities.
⏩ Conducting health screenings of all individuals who enter DMHAS facilities, including staff and clients.
⏩ Approving more than 1,000 employees for telework to promote social distancing and minimize exposure to clients and staff at DMHAS facilities.
⏩ Directing staff who are symptomatic or have been in close contact with individuals suspected of, or having, COVID-19 to stay home and self-quarantine to prevent infecting clients and other staff.
For current information on coronavirus in Connecticut, visit portal.ct.gov/Coronavirus.