MILLETT RESPONDS TO COVID-19 OUTBREAK AT CAPE MEMORY CARE

AUGUSTA — On the evening of Thursday, May 21, the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed an outbreak of COVID-19 at the Cape Memory Care facility in Cape Elizabeth. Cape Memory Care is a residential care facility for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia. So far, 45 residents and 12 staff members have tested positive for COVID-19. 

In response, Sen. Rebecca Millet, D-Cape Elizabeth, has issued the following statement:

“My heart goes out to the staff and residents of Cape Memory Care, as well as all their families. COVID-19 is an incredibly dangerous illness. To have so many people at one center fall ill to it is devastating. I know Maine CDC is working closely with the facility to identify and treat those who have tested positive for COVID-19. 

“The more we learn about COVID-19, the more it becomes clear that early, widespread testing is critical to saving lives. We know that people who are infected are contagious even before they develop symptoms, and that some people develop no symptoms at all, despite being infected and contagious. We also know that the novel coronavirus spreads like a wildfire through congregate living facilities, such as Cape Memory Care, and is particularly dangerous for our elderly loved one. Because of this, I believe we need to consider universal, frequent testing for all congregate care facilities in Maine. By the time the first COVID-19 case has been detected, it’s likely already spread to others in the facility. I am hopeful that with Maine’s recently expanded testing capacity, such an endeavor would be possible. At the end of the day, protecting and saving lives must be our top priority.”

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