BELFAST — Five cases of COVID-19 at Waldo County General Hospital have resulted in an outbreak investigation by Maine Centers for Disease Control. It is the only current COVID-19 outbreak investigation in Knox, Lincoln, and Waldo counties as of Aug. 10.

Earlier this month, the nonprofit MaineHealth, which owns WCGH, said that it will require that it will require COVID-19 vaccination for all care team members, with very few exceptions, as a condition of employment, as of Oct. 1, 2021.

“Leaders at Waldo County General Hospital are working closely with the staff of the Maine Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to limit the spread of COVID-19 after several care team members at the hospital tested positive for the virus,” said WCGH spokesperson Jennifer Harris.

“Following CDC guidelines, the colleagues are in isolation at home.  Everyone considered to be close contacts with those who tested positive has been informed. It is believed that the cases are an indication of community spread in Waldo County, which is considered a high transmission county by the CDC. 

“WCGH is following state and federal guidelines pertaining to positive COVID-19 test results, including the testing of care team members and patients. All other established safety measures—including universal masking, screening of those entering the hospital and increased hand hygiene—will continue.”