RUMFORD — On August 27, 2020, the Town of Rumford Police Department was notified that a police officer has tested positive for COVID-19, commonly known as the novel coronavirus. The officer involved is a resident of Rumford and his case is under investigation.
The officer was experiencing minor symptoms and was tested prior to leaving for a vacation out of state. Since testing positive, the office was directed to self-isolate and self-quarantine until September 5th. The origin of how the officer contracted the virus is under investigation.
“Our dedicated Public Safety personnel are on the frontlines every day, bravely protecting our community,” said Stacy Carter, Town Manager. “We are providing support to the impacted police officer and continuing our efforts to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in our community.”
The Town of Rumford, Rumford Hospital, a Central Maine Healthcare Hospital, and the CDC are actively investigating details surrounding this exposures as well as facilitating contact tracing to minimize further risk to the community, as well as other public safety and town personnel. The Police Department will continue to work with Rumford Hospital Health Department and the CDC to assist in their contact investigation. As the investigation progresses, appropriate notifications will be made to employees, community members and other individuals who may have been exposed. Exposure is considered having unmasked contact with someone less than 6 feet for a period of more than 15 minutes.
“We recognize the potential impact of a positive test for a first responder,” said Carter. “We are committed to ensuring that this officer receives the necessary guidance and support to manage this health issue.”
Since learning of these positive test results, the Town of Rumford took the following actions:
• Notified additional Town employees who may also have been exposed.
• Completed a deep cleaning of affected facilities and designated police cars.
• Initiated the Health Department’s contact investigations and will be conducting additional testing as needed.
“We have been preparing for this possibility and are working collaboratively with our partners at Rumford Hospital and the CDC to provide additional information to all of our employees regarding this development” said Carter. “I want to assure our community that we have this under control and that there is no cause for panic.
This news should not deter the public from calling 9-1-1 when needing emergency assistance. Rumford Police and Fire Departments continue to take extensive precautions to safeguard community members and other emergency personnel.
We have taken additional precautionary steps by reducing contact with Office personnel until we receive initial test results.
The Town’s public health efforts will continue to focus on containing the spread and mitigating the impact of COVID-19 in the community.