Cases at FMH a reminder: The community has a role in containing COVID-19Free Access

Four members of the hospital’s care team have tested positive for the coronavirus, a sign that Franklin County will be impacted by an expected uptick in cases with the fall and winter.

FARMINGTON — Medical leaders at Franklin Memorial Hospital are working closely with the staff of the Maine Centers for Disease control to limit the spread of COVID-19 after four members of the hospital’s care team tested positive for the virus.

The four impacted employees are in self-quarantine. They worked in different areas of the hospital, and it is believed that the cases are an indication that the coronavirus has rooted itself in Franklin County, which up until now has had fewer cases than other, harder-hit parts of Maine. The CDC has classified the cases as an outbreak, however they are unlikely to be isolated or confined to the hospital as the coronavirus is increasingly showing up in Maine’s rural areas.

“What this means is that we are all going to have to step up our vigilance if we want to limit the spread of COVID-19 in our community,” said Trampas Hutches, president of Franklin Community Health Care, which includes Franklin Memorial. “We would urge everyone in the community to wear a face covering over their mouth and nose whenever they are in an indoor space with people who are not part of their immediate household. This should be the case even when people are more than six feet apart.”

Working with the CDC, the hospital has initiated testing of anyone who could have been potentially exposed to the virus and has reviewed policies on such things as where staff members gather for breaks. The positive cases are not thought to pose a significant risk to patients as hospital staff has been consistent in the use of protective equipment shown to minimize transmission.

In addition to wearing a mask, the CDC recommends people practice good hand hygiene and keep surfaces clean. Those who are concerned they may have been exposed to COVID-19 or experience symptoms of infection — including fever, chills, sore throat, difficulty breathing, unexplained muscle aches, new cough, loss of taste or smell, nasal congestion or vomiting or diarrhea — should call their primary care provider for advice on testing, treatment and quarantine measures.

It is important as well that people get a flu shot and that they not put off care for other issues. Franklin Memorial and other organizations in the MaineHealth system are open for all services, and there are extensive protocols in place to keep patients safe, including universal masking in all facilities, frequent cleaning and designated areas for treating those who may have been infected with COVID-19.

“Up to this point, Maine has done much better than the rest of the country controlling the spread of this virus, and fortunately for our community, it hasn’t been as prevalent in Franklin County,” said Hutches. “With the cooler weather, every indication is that that is starting to change. It is vital that we take this threat seriously by wearing a mask and practicing social distancing.”

 

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