Update Falmouth EMA Regarding COVID-19 case in Falmouth, March 15, 2020
The Town has been in contact with Maine Emergency Medical Services (Maine EMS), Maine Medical Center, Maine Center for Disease Control, and Cumberland County Emergency Management Agency regarding the following update.
Two Falmouth Fire-EMS crews provided patient care and transported a patient multiple times from OceanView to Maine Medical Center this past week who later tested positive for COVID-19. Maine EMS has requested that two potentially exposed EMS crew members be quarantined fourteen days from the day of transport based on the circumstances of the call. Other crew members involved in the patient care were cleared to return to duty as long as they remain without symptoms. Maine CDC is releasing this more detailed identifying information about this presumptive positive test because it could involve potential community spread. Maine CDC will release more detailed identifying information when it can be part of a strategy to help reduce potential community spread.
Falmouth Fire-EMS continues to clean and disinfect all equipment and vehicles after every call. Personnel are monitored daily for potential symptoms including temperature checks of all staff who respond to medical calls. All Falmouth Fire-EMS personnel are using protective equipment such as masks, gowns, and face shields when responding to potential cases of COVID-19. We have reduced crew sizes from three personnel to two personnel on each ambulance and are also limiting the number of providers to only one emergency medical technician (EMT) or paramedic to attend to the patient at one time to avoid exposure to other public safety responders. Police officers will no longer assist or respond to EMS calls unless called upon by responding EMS crews.
Blueberry Lane has been closed to all traffic except for residents, approved vendors, care givers, and staff of OceanView.
What can you do?
The CDC requests that you call your doctor prior to a medical appointment if you have or may have COVID-19. This will help the provider’s office take steps to keep other people from getting infected or exposed. All non-emergency needs should start with a call to your primary care provider. The US CDC provides guidelines for what to do when you are sick.
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Resources
U.S. Centers for Disease Control Coronavirus Information
Maine Center for Disease Control Coronavirus Information
CDC Resources for Home: Plan, prepare, and respond to Coronavirus Disease 2019
CDC Stop the Spread of Germs Fact Sheet