Ellen Bartlett (left), infection preventionist at Houlton Regional Hospital, and Tom Esterbrook (right) of security attend a meeting at the hospital on March 13. (Alexander MacDougall | Houlton Pioneer Times)

Houlton Regional Hospital set to take on coronavirus

he state of Maine is entering its first stages of the coronavirus outbreak, with its first confirmed case reported on March 12 and more on the way.

As of 1 p.m. Friday, March 13, test results show that two Maine residents have tested presumptive positive for the coronavirus. Click here for the latest coronavirus news, which the BDN has made free for the public.

HOULTON, Maine — The state of Maine is entering its first stages of the coronavirus outbreak, with its first confirmed case reported on March 12 and more on the way. As people clamor nervously for supplies like toilet paper and soap, Houlton Regional Hospital wants the community it serves to know that it is prepared to handle the situation, as well as for residents to remain calm, but vigilant.

Three individuals have been tested for COVID-19 at the hospital as of the morning of March 13, but all results were negative, Ellen Bartlett, infection preventionist at the hospital, said.

“Our goal is not for people to panic, but to stay informed,” she said. “We’re responding by implementing recommended procedures and asking the community to follow the recommended practices that Maine and federal CDCs are asking all of us to follow.”

Several rooms have been set up for testing for patients believed to be at risk for the virus. People who wish to be tested for the coronavirus are being asked to call their provider for guidance as well as calling from home to request a test rather than coming in to do so. People who are tested must remain at home until their results are completed.

Presently, there are no plans to limit visitations to sick patients at the hospital, though nursing homes are already taking the steps of doing so, due to their residents being seen as higher risk.

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Shawn Anderson, director of operations at the hospital, said that all hospitals in Aroostook County were coordinating together so that if one hospital needs to restrict access, all other hospitals will follow suit.

“That helps the public to hear a consistent message, and that we don’t create bewilderment or discord throughout the community as to why one hospital is open to visitors and why one isn’t,” he said regarding the coordination.

Northern Maine Medical Center in Fort Kent is prepared to test potential Coronavirus patients, Joanne M. Fortin RN, director of Service Excellence & Communications, said Friday.

“I have consulted with our infection preventionist [who said] NMMC is prepared to test patients for Coronavirus based on CDC recommendations of exposure. At this time, there is no concern for shortage of tests,” Fortin said.

Three St. John Valley area residential care homes are taking proactive steps to protect residents from the virus. Crosswinds Residential Care in Fort Kent, St. Joseph’s Memory Care in Frenchville and Ridgewood Estates in Madawaska have 137 residents between them.

Jonathan “JJ” Roy, co-owner of the facilities, said administrators have been in daily contact with NMMC, Aroostook Emergency Management and state officials to remain educated and up to date on virus situation.

“We’re highly discouraging visitation at this point until further notice,” Roy said. “Of course, there are always extenuating circumstances that could arise for visits, but we’re trying to mitigate as much visitation as possible.”

“Our mindset is our residents are currently safe and secure from the coronavirus threat, so by minimizing visitation at this time, we’re hoping to avoid any potential spread of the virus to the elderly. We’re also encouraging phone calls and in some cases video chats,” Roy added.

In a press conference given on March 12 announcing the first case of COVID-19 in Maine, Gov. Janet Mills said that all public gatherings of 250 or more people should be postponed for the time being. The neighboring Canadian province of New Brunswick has also canceled all upcoming sporting events. Nationwide, there have been suspensions of major league sports, Disney theme parks, and Broadway shows.

Colleges have also been affected by the arrival of the virus, with the University of Maine system moving to online classes for the rest of the semester, and community colleges are taking an extra week of spring break. According to Anderson, despite the UMaine system being moved to online classes, students from the colleges training at HRH, such as from University of Maine at Fort Kent, will continue to do so there.

Staff writer Jessica Potila contributed to this report.