Butler Health System officials said Monday that the system will lay off 57 positions and furlough 10 more due to the financial impacts of the coronavirus pandemic.

According to a news release, positions affected are across the entire health system, and include the pending closure of Butler Memorial Hospital's skilled nursing facility, or Transitional Care Facility. The short-term facility, located in Butler Memorial Hospital, is for patients who are about to be released to go home, but still need such services as occupational therapy or physical therapy, a hospital spokeswoman said. It is unclear how many employees would be affected by the closure of the skilled nursing facility, the spokeswoman said.

Officials also said about 60 vacant positions have been eliminated and will not be filled.

“Increased costs have combined with severely decreased revenues, resulting in BHS losing tens of millions of dollars over the past several months,” the release said.

Ken DeFurio, CEO and president of BHS, would not comment further Monday night.

DeFurio is expected to attend a phone call with the media Tuesday morning as part of a discussion about the financial impacts of COVID-19. The call will be hosted by the Hospital Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania and will also include James L. Brexler, president and CEO of Doylestown Health.

Monday's BHS release said the system has spoken with elected officials at the state and federal level.

“BHS is doing its part to assure that members of Congress understand the financial devastation that COVID-19 has caused almost all hospitals and health systems, including Butler Health System, and its two hospitals, Butler Memorial Hospital and Clarion Hospital,” the release said.