Coronavirus Recovery Unit At AdviniaCare Shut Down

WILMINGTON, MA — The coronavirus recovery unit at Wilmington's AdviniaCare nursing home has closed, the facility said Thursday.

The facility had operated a special unit that took in recovering virus patients referred from local hospitals, freeing up their beds for acute cases. More than 90 patients were sent to AdviniaCare to recover, the facility said.

The unit was operated during the initial spring 2020 surge as well as the second wave in the fall.

AdviniaCare staff provided respiratory and pulmonary rehabilitation, which is often required after bad cases of the virus

All residents and staff at AdviniaCare have been vaccinated and the staff has returned to its regular role of providing rehabilitation and long-term care. The center is accepting new admissions, all of whom are eligible to be vaccinated.

“I am extremely proud of AdviniaCare at Wilmington’s team members – many of whom endured countless exhausting shifts and significant personal sacrifices – that helped so many people survive what was the fight of their lives,” Pointe Group Care Chief Operating Officer Chris Hannon said. “Our caregivers answered the call and stepped up to do their part during our community’s time of need."

AdviniaCare is operated by Pointe Group Care.

"We are ready to turn the page as we begin a return to a new normal," Hannon said.

The unit first operated during the initial surge of the pandemic last spring and again during the surge that began in the late fall. The center took on this role after a request by the Mass. Department of Public Health (DPH) with support from Mass General Brigham and Town of Wilmington officials.

Mass General Brigham doctor Chuck Pu, the medical director of the network's "care continuum programs," praised the AdviniaCare recovery unit.

“The partnership between AdviniaCare Wilmington, Mass General Brigham, and the state created sorely needed capacity for COVID-19 patients to recover, which ensured that hospitals would be able to serve the sickest patients,” said Pu. “The level of collaboration that took place was unprecedented and we are grateful for the partnership, and for the heroes working in that center – and others like it – who put our most vulnerable seniors first when everything was on the line.”

AdviniaCare is now allowing restricted in-person visitation, the center said.

Christopher Huffaker can be reached at 412-265-8353 or chris.huffaker@patch.com.