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Cynthia Morgan and her daughter Katie walk Monday afternoon near a mailbox offering free masks on Lisbon Street in Lewiston. Both said they did not mind wearing masks in public, as per the state’s mandate. Andree Kehn / Journal of the Sun Buy this photo
LEWISTON – The state announced a new free test site in Auburn on Monday, while also confirming that 72 people – 45 residents, 27 workers and one contracted supplier – have now tested positive for COVID-19 at Russell Park Rehabilitation and Living Center.
Indiana Roddy, right, browses the leaves at Russell Park Manor in Lewiston after visiting her great-grandmother through a window with her grandparents, Jason and Suzanne Campbell, on Friday afternoon. Russ Dillingham / Sun Journal Buy this photo
The 103 bed facility in Lewiston provides nursing, physical rehabilitation and long-term care. Currently, Russell Park has 94 residents, which means nearly half have COVID-19. A quarter of its 108 employees are carriers of the virus.
The outbreak was first announced on Friday with 64 cases.
Nirav Shah, director of the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention, announced the update during the CDC’s regular press conference on Monday. Shah said members of the CDC and other agencies had what he called a “productive call” with Russell Park management on Saturday to ensure the facility has what it needs for control. infections, personal protective equipment and testing.
“Two sets of tests are underway at Russell Park, one today and another tomorrow. After which point, we’ll have a better idea of how this epidemic has evolved within this facility, ”Shah said.
It is not known how the epidemic started. Shah said a resident was the first person to show symptoms in Russell Park, but noted that nursing home outbreaks tend to start with a staff member.
“We have yet to identify precisely which member of staff may have been the first to introduce it,” he said. “We are not aware of any reports of staff showing symptoms, but of course we now know that a lot of transmission can happen before people have symptoms. We’re trying to identify who or what group of staff may have been among the first to introduce it to Russell Park, and then we can go back in time with them to determine if they acquired it at a meeting. family, etc., etc. “
Russell Park is owned by North Country Associates in Lewiston. North Country COO Mary Jane Richards released a statement on Monday which, in part, reiterated an earlier statement that Russell Park discovered the outbreak on November 3 and that most people with the virus were showing symptoms mild or no symptoms. .
The statement also reiterated some of the measures Russell Park has taken to stop the spread of the virus, including working with the CDC, testing all residents and staff, and monitoring for symptoms. He also said the facility had restricted visitors, only allowing those in “compassionate care” cases.
The statement also praised the Russell Park employees.
“The staff at Russell Park are outstanding,” the statement read. “They have stepped up their efforts by working extra shifts or replacing staff members infected with the virus. We are grateful to these heroes who are committed to making sure residents receive the best care.
The Russell Park outbreak comes as Maine experiences a record number of cases. On Monday, the state registered 204 new cases, the most it has had in a single day. Cumberland County had 31% of those cases, while Androscoggin County had 25%.
A COVID-19 testing site will offer a three-day testing timeframe starting Friday at the downtown Auburn transportation hub. Andree Kehn / Journal of the Sun Buy this photo
Also on Monday, the state announced two new testing sites in partnership with Promerica Health. A quick sample and send and test site will be located at the Portland International Jetport. A pick-up and drop-off site will be located at the downtown Auburn Transportation Center at the end of the Great Falls Plaza parking lot, offering a three-day trial period.
In Auburn, appointments will be available five days a week, Tuesday through Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., starting Friday. The free tests will be available to everyone regardless of symptoms, no referral needed. Appointments can be scheduled on covidtestforme.com.
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