GARDNER — During his weekly briefing on Friday, Feb. 4, Heywood Healthcare President and CEO Win Brown reported that the number of COVID-19 tests conducted by the system’s lab since the appearance of the virus is approaching the 150,000 mark, while noting the current positivity rate in this region — despite decreasing numbers elsewhere — still approaches 30 percent.
“We have performed 146,000 COVID tests so far throughout the pandemic, which is just amazing,” he said. “Our cumulative rate sits at 9.2 percent throughout the pandemic, more than twice the state rate at 4.12. Our seven-day average is 25.58 percent, and the state is at 6.37. So, we are still very high but definitely trending downward.
“We have 26 COVID-positive inpatients in the Heywood system right now.”
Brown reported that the prevalence rate for Heywood’s service area stands at 146 cases per 100,000 in population, a drop of 55. The state average, he said, was — as of the date of his briefing — 111 per 100,000, down 75. Athol continues to have the highest rate of prevalence at 206 per 100,000, while Royalston has the lowest rate locally at 84.
“So, we’re definitely doing better as a region,” he continued. “May that downward trend continue. May there not be another variant that sends us over the edge.
“Our staff have been working very hard to make it through this — and we have — but it has taken a toll on us. So, we appreciate everything everybody can do remain safe. Get vaccinated, get boosted, do all those things you need to do.”
According to the state’s Weekly COVID-19 Municipality Vaccination Report for Thursday, Feb. 3, the number of eligible Athol/Phillipston residents who have received at least one shot of the vaccination has finally topped 70 percent. The report says the level increased 2 percentage points over the previous week to stand at 71 percent. Rates for other nearby communities include: Erving, 90 percent; New Salem, 76 percent; Orange, 69 percent; Petersham, 76 percent; Royalston, 69 percent, and Templeton, 65 percent. Winchendon continues to be the least vaccinated community locally, with only 62 percent of eligible residents having gotten at least a single shot.
In addition to his COVID-19 update, Brown also provided additional information regarding Heywood Healthcare’s partnership with RIP Medical Debt, which is designed to eliminate $800,000 in existing medical debt for patients of the healthcare system.
“I know some people have been calling to see if they qualify for it or not,” he said. “Please don’t call our finance department. They actually don’t have that information at the ready, and if you do qualify, you’ll be getting a letter directly from RIP Medical Debt. So, please look for that in your mailbox if you think you might qualify. That’s the way to find out, and (the letter) should be arriving shortly.”
Greg Vine can be reached at gvineadn@gmail.com