By Tiffany Williams –

At the Soldiers’ Home in Holyoke, 11 veteran residents have died. Five of the vets who died tested positive for COVID-19 and test results for five others is still pending.

Other residents at the home and some staff have also tested positive for the coronavirus.

In a tweet Governor Charlie Baker said, “As someone who has visited the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home on many occasions to catch up with staff and residents, I am heartbroken by today’s news. The loss of these residents to COVID-19 is a shuddering loss for us all.

Bennett Walsh, the superintendent of the Soldiers’ Home has been placed on leave and Val Liptak, CEO of Western Massachusetts Hospital, will assume responsibility.