Care center for those recovering from COVID-19 opens in New Bedford Share Updated: 11:02 AM EST Jan 19, 2021 Buttonwood SOURCE: Buttonwood Share Updated: 11:02 AM EST Jan 19, 2021 A regional care center for those recovering from COVID-19 reopened in New Bedford.The former nursing home facility at 4586 Acushnet Ave. opened Monday as a coronavirus recovery and care center, Mayor Jon Mitchell announced.The facility is operated by Essex Group Management Corporation’s nonprofit Buttonwood Healthcare division.The site has 123 beds and will be staffed by physicians and advanced practice nurses.Earlier this month, Mitchell announced the city’s decision to reopen the facility to assist the region’s health care system with the recent surge of COVID-19 patients. The facility will house patients who still require medical care, but do not require hospitalization, to ease the burden on local hospitals.