FORT KENT, Maine — Northern Maine Medical Center (NMMC) Communications Director Sue Devoe reported Wednesday morning that a non-direct patient care employee at the hospital has tested positive for COVID-19.
The staff member was notified and is under quarantine at this time. According to Devoe, the employee is asymptomatic.
The positive test was the result of mandatory COVID-19 testing at the hospital's Forest Hill Long Term Care and Skilled Nursing facility.
"NMMC has planned and prepared for this type of incident. Employees and residents are being tested in accordance with CDC guidance," Devoe said in an email to NEWS CENTER Maine.
Devoe says in less than 24 hours of the positive test notification, NMMC performed 164 tests on employees and residents. So far, 31 results have been returned and they are all negative. The remaining results are pending.
According to Devoe, all close contacts have also been tested and are negative.
"We are doing everything to address this situation and safeguard our staff, residents, and the community," Devoe said in a release.
Devoe says safety practices continue to be followed, and the hospital's "vigilance in following these practices will reduce the risk of spread of the virus, as we see in this case."
