Nurses union says staff fears PPE could run out any day

Nearly half of developmentally disabled at state home infected with coronavirus

A state-run facility in Danvers for people with developmental disabilities has been hit hard by COVID-19 infections, with 40% of residents in three units testing positive for the virus, according to the Massachusetts Nurses Association.The state Department of Developmental Disabilities has so far refused to release information about infections in group homes, but has revealed that statewide, the number of infections and deaths among the 10,000 people receiving services is growing.But the nurses union confirmed that the Hogan Regional Center in Danvers has been especially affected. The union said that 55 staff members have also tested positive.In addition, the nurses union also says there is concern about running out of personal protective equipment.The state has begun mobile testing at group homes, including Hogan, but so far has not been willing to talk about that facility, and has issued requirements for staff to wear masks.A spokesperson for DDS did not respond this evening to requests for comment for this story. As of Tuesday, 276 people in DDS residential settings statewide had tested positive as had 321 staff. Nine people receiving services from DDS had died from COVID-19, according to DDS.

A state-run facility in Danvers for people with developmental disabilities has been hit hard by COVID-19 infections, with 40% of residents in three units testing positive for the virus, according to the Massachusetts Nurses Association.

The state Department of Developmental Disabilities has so far refused to release information about infections in group homes, but has revealed that statewide, the number of infections and deaths among the 10,000 people receiving services is growing.


But the nurses union confirmed that the Hogan Regional Center in Danvers has been especially affected. The union said that 55 staff members have also tested positive.

In addition, the nurses union also says there is concern about running out of personal protective equipment.

The state has begun mobile testing at group homes, including Hogan, but so far has not been willing to talk about that facility, and has issued requirements for staff to wear masks.

A spokesperson for DDS did not respond this evening to requests for comment for this story.

As of Tuesday, 276 people in DDS residential settings statewide had tested positive as had 321 staff. Nine people receiving services from DDS had died from COVID-19, according to DDS.