Westerly Hospital Provides COVID-19 Update

Westerly, RI (April 24, 2020) - Westerly Hospital currently has 8 patients being treated in the hospital who are positive for COVID-19. In addition, the hospital has discharged five patients who are recovering from COVID-19. The hospital remains fully staffed and currently has a sufficient supply of PPE and other necessary equipment to care for these patients.

We stand ready to support the Westerly community for all its health care needs. To further protect our community and our colleagues, Westerly Hospital is taking extra measures to identify community members who may have COVID-19 by screening everyone who walks through our designated entrances. Nearly three weeks ago, we opened a sample collection tent for health care workers which has since been expanded to the greater community. To date the hospital has tested 118 people.

In addition, 2 weeks ago, Westerly Hospital set up a triage tent outside the emergency department’s entrance to screen patients who might have symptoms of COVID-19. As of today, we have not yet used this tent but are prepared to do so immediately if needed. As with most hospitals in the region, Westerly remains at a Level 3 strict No Visitation policy. There are exceptions that can be made including visits for loved ones at the end of life and for some outpatient cancer care. These will be made on a case-by-case basis and those visitors will undergo a screening process.

Westerly Hospital would like to again take this opportunity to thank the community for its incredible outpouring of support for our physicians and staff. We have received numerous donations of food, meals for all staff, gift cards, supplies, and hand written letters of encouragement from individuals, groups and local businesses. We are deeply grateful for our community and the care they have shown to our caregivers. Without a doubt, we feel their support and we want them to know how meaningful it has been to all of us.

Please remember that if you feel ill, call your health care provider before coming to the hospital. Many people with COVID-19 can be safely cared for at home. If you think you may have been exposed or if you have symptoms you can also call the Yale New Haven Health Call Center at 833-ASK-YNHH (833-275-9644) 7 days a week, 7 am - 7 pm.

Westerly Hospital, a member of Yale New Haven Health, is a 125-bed hospital that has been providing residents of southern Rhode Island and southeastern Connecticut with a full range of inpatient and outpatient services in a community hospital setting for more than 90 years. Westerly Hospital patients receive the finest quality treatment in the following areas of care: emergency, medical, surgical, radiology, laboratory and rehabilitative services. The hospital also offers heart and vascular care, interventional pain management, wound care, pulmonary rehabilitation services, inpatient geriatric psychiatric care and comprehensive cancer care provided through the Smilow Cancer Hospital Care Center. All inpatient rooms are private. westerlyhospital.org