Baystate Medical Center Reports 36 Infections in COVID-19 Outbreak

SPRINGFIELD — On Monday, Baystate Medical Center reported an outbreak of coronavirus infections affecting 23 employees and 13 patients.

Dr. Mark Keroack, president and CEO of Baystate Health, said the outbreak appears to be related in part to an employee returning to work after visiting another state identified as a COVID-19 hot spot, the Republican reported. In addition, the hospital’s review also connected the outbreak to employees who gathered in break rooms and had removed their masks. He called the situation “deeply disappointing.”

Patients treated in the affected hospital unit from July 15 to July 23 are being contacted so they can be tested for COVID-19 and take part in contact tracing. All employees working in that area of the hospital are also being tested, as well as any employees who entered that area for more than 15 minutes.