Press Releases

LOWELL, MA – Yesterday, Congresswoman Lori Trahan (MA-03) led a request with State Senator Jamie Eldridge (D-Middlesex & Worcester District), State Representative James Arciero (D-2nd Middlesex), and the Littleton Board of Selectmen to Life Care Centers of America President Beecher Hunter calling for immediate transparency at the Life Care Center of Nashoba Valley (LCC-NV).

“As officials who represent the people of Littleton, Massachusetts – where the Life Care Center of Nashoba Valley (LCC-NV) is located – we write to strongly urge Life Care Centers of America (LCCA) to immediately alert public health authorities of any confirmed or suspected cases of COVID-19 contamination within your network, including cases in which flu-like symptoms are exhibited,” the officials wrote. “We also urge you to test all current workers at LCC-NV, and any that worked there in March and April, but have since left your employment. These actions should be taken without delay to protect residents, staff, and their families.”

At the time the letter was sent, at least 9 residents and 8 staff members at LCC-NV had tested positive, and a number of residents had died, according to reports. As of last night, WHDH reported that five residents had died from COVID-19 complications and 65 others have tested positive at the Littleton facility. Yet, since the outbreak at that facility, the leadership of Life Care Centers of America has failed to comply with basic requests for information on the number of residents and employees infected, as well as what protocols are in place to protect people still in the facility.

Since Trahan first became aware of the issues at LCC-NV, she has taken immediate action to assist state and local officials and residents, including calling for the National Guard to dispatch a mobile testing unit and monitor the facility in response to the developing health concerns.

The full text of the letter is embedded below. A digital copy can be accessed here.

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Beecher Hunter

President

Life Care Centers of America

3570 Keith St., N.W.

Cleveland, TN 37312

Mr. Hunter,

As officials who represent the people of Littleton, Massachusetts – where the Life Care Center of Nashoba Valley (LCC-NV) is located – we write to strongly urge Life Care Centers of America (LCCA) to immediately alert public health authorities of any confirmed or suspected cases of COVID-19 contamination within your network, including cases in which flu-like symptoms are exhibited. We also urge you to test all current workers at LCC-NV, and any that worked there in March and April, but have since left your employment. These actions should be taken without delay to protect residents, staff, and their families. 

According to published reports, at least nine residents and eight staff members at LCC-NV have tested positively for the coronavirus; and a number of residents have passed away from the virus. Additionally, the Board of Health for the Town of Littleton has noted that the leadership of LCC-NV “failed to comply with the lawful and appropriate instructions of the [Board] with regard to protocol for COVID-19.” To be clear, we would regard any evasion of LCCA’s responsibilities to protect the residents in your care – and who are particularly vulnerable to COVID-19 – as a shocking betrayal of residents and their families as well as the LCCA’s dedicated employees. 

 Of particular concern is the apparent lack of readiness or responsiveness to the COVID-19 threat across the LCCA network. The first COVID-19 case at LCC-NV was transferred to a local hospital on March 27th and diagnosed positive the following day. However, this was far from the first positive case at an LCCA facility. Indeed, reports indicate that as early as February 10th, there were indications of a possible COVID-19 outbreak at the Life Care Center in Kirkland, Washington. Since then, there have been at least 37 deaths from COVID-19 in Kirkland. In that case, like the one at LCC-NV, the facility did not provide adequate notification to authorities. 

We urge you to immediately ensure that your facilities fully comply with all public health requirements and take extreme care in preventing further contamination. The families we represent have placed a sacred trust in your hands, and we expect that LCCA to honor its obligation to them. 

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