KENNEBUNK, Maine — A local cancer care center is closing its doors temporarily and urging patients to take extra precautions after someone connected to the center tested positive for the novel coronavirus disease COVID-19.

In a statement Sunday, New England Cancer Specialists said its team became aware of the positive test over the weekend.

“Working directly with the Maine Centers for Disease Control, we have informed all patients who were in our Kennebunk office last week to stay home and monitor for any symptoms,“ the statement said.

“Our Kennebunk office will be closed for two weeks while we clean and disinfect it,” the statement added. “Patients with upcoming treatment appointments in Kennebunk will be seen in our Scarborough office instead.”

For most people, the virus results in only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, or death. The vast majority recover.

People with mild illness recover in about two weeks, while those with more severe illness may take three to six weeks to recover, according to the World Health Organization.

The NECS statement noted that patients will see all staff beginning to wear masks Monday, as a precaution to keep staff from spreading germs to patients. The group’s physicians strongly recommended that cancer patients in treatment wear a mask any time they leave home, according to the statement.

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