FBI investigates ransomware attack causing disruptions in Connecticut hospitals. Eastern Connecticut Health Network and Waterbury Health experience computer system shutdowns, leading to canceled services and ambulance diversions. Prospect Medical Holdings, the parent company, is actively assessing the extent of the attack. The FBI’s New Haven Field Office is investigating, but no further details have been released. Healthcare services remain affected as authorities work to resolve the situation.
Eastern Connecticut hospitals and medical centers are facing significant disruptions in healthcare delivery as computer systems remain down following a ransomware attack. The incident, which occurred on Thursday, has resulted in numerous canceled services and diverted ambulances at two local hospitals.
The affected healthcare institutions, Eastern Connecticut Health Network (ECHN) and Waterbury Health, both confirmed the cyberattacks in a report by News 8. These organizations are part of Los Angeles-based Prospect Medical Holdings, a company that owns 16 hospitals and over 165 clinics and outpatient centers across California, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Texas.
Jillian Menzel, ECHN’s chief operating officer, stated that the attack was indeed a ransomware attack. However, the full extent of the breach is yet to be determined. A dedicated team from Prospect Medical Holdings is actively working on assessing the situation, with support from a national command center.
Waterbury Health posted on its Facebook page that its computer systems are down, leading clinical staff to resort to using paper records. Additionally, ambulance services have been diverted from Manchester Memorial Hospital and Rockville General Hospital’s emergency departments.
The FBI’s New Haven Field Office has taken charge of the investigation, led by Robert Fuller, the special agent in charge. As of now, there is no further information available about the ongoing investigation, and no official statements have been released on the FBI’s online press room.
Prospect Medical Holdings’ website also currently lacks any statements addressing the incident. The situation remains under investigation as authorities work diligently to resolve the cyberattack’s impact on healthcare services in Eastern Connecticut.
