Statement on condition of victims from New Bedford haz-mat situation

All patients from the August 3 incident have been treated and released.

Update: 5 p.m. EDT
No further updates will be issued.

NEW BEDFORD, Mass. — The final patient was discharged August 12 from St. Luke's Hospital after recovering from ailments suffered during the hazardous materials incident in New Bedford last week.

A total of 120 people treated at both hospitals after the hazardous materials situation on Monday, August 3, at ABC Disposal, 1245 Shawmut Avenue, New Bedford. St. Luke's Hospital received 66 patients. Another 54 victims were treated at Charlton Memorial Hospital in Fall River related to the incident. These patients included employees of ABC Disposal and many first responders, including EMS paramedics, police and firefighters.

Final totals, August 3 through 12:

• Treated at Southcoast Hospitals Group: 120 total
• St. Luke's Hospital, New Bedford: 66 total
  • Admitted: 4 (all since treated & released)
  • Treated & released: 66
• Charlton Memorial Hospital, Fall River: 54 total
  • Admitted: 2 (all since treated & released)
  • Treated & released: 54

St. Luke's Hospital was notified at 11 a.m. of a hazardous materials situation in the New Bedford community. Under the direction of the New Bedford Fire Department, St. Luke's Hospital began the process of decontaminating victims.

"I want to thank everyone at Southcoast Hospitals, especially in our Emergency Departments, for their exceptional response to this very serious incident," said Keith A. Hovan, President & CEO of Southcoast Hospitals Group. "I am extremely proud of the many members of our hospital staff who responded with the professional competence and skill expected by our patients in providing emergency care in coordination with emergency response staff from local cities and towns."

"Southcoast Hospitals is also grateful to all of the first responders and City of New Bedford officials, especially Mayor Scott Lang, for their support, professionalism and outstanding response during this incident," Hovan said.

Updates will be issued as the situation warrants.

Click here for release issued Monday, August 3, at 5:15 p.m. EDT