FALMOUTH — The number of OceanView residents in Falmouth testing positive for COVID-19 has risen to 11, according to a news release. 

“Per the CDC, due to community transmission it is no longer possible to definitively determine the source of exposure,” the facility said in a press release. 

“We continue to follow CDC guidance and urge individuals to take the proper precautions to minimize their risk of exposure and prevent further spread,” the release read. “These include remaining at home, except for necessities like groceries and outdoor exercise, wearing a mask or face covering and practicing physical distancing should you need to leave your home, and stringent hand washing or use of hand sanitizer. These practices cannot be over-emphasized and all symptoms should be immediately reported to your primary care physician to provide medical guidance.” 

Only by following these guidelines will we be able to prevent further transmission.

Below are answers to some frequent questions the facility said they have been asked:

How many residents live in the community at OceanView at Falmouth?
We have over 400 phenomenal residents in total on the OceanView campus among independent living, assisted living, and memory care.

How many staff do you have at OceanView?
We have approximately 200 staff at OceanView. We can’t say enough about how wonderful a job they are doing right now. Their dedication is limitless.

How are your staff? 
All of our staff are rockstars who we are immeasurably indebted to. We continue to operate with sufficient levels of staffing and we are grateful for their dedication.

Do you have enough personal protective equipment (PPE)?
This is a country-wide concern and thankfully, we are supplied to meet current need. However, to ensure sustained preparedness, we communicate regularly with the CDC to keep them advised of our level of need.

What does shelter in place mean?
We understand there has been confusion in terminology and shifting use. CNN has a great article describing the difference between shelter in place, self-quarantine, and isolation. We are abiding by these definitions.

Shelter in place is for those who have not been exposed and are not symptomatic, but for whom remaining at home is recommended to avoid community spread. At this time, we are recommending shelter in place for our residents.

Self-quarantine is for individuals who have been exposed, but are not symptomatic. We have residents in this category, which means they have been asked to stay at home, practice social distancing when it is necessary to leave home, and contact their healthcare provider if they become symptomatic.

Isolation is for individuals who have tested positive. This means they must remain at home and also isolate themselves from people in their home.

About OceanView at Falmouth

OceanView at Falmouth is a well-established, active, maintenance-free retirement community located on a beautifully wooded and landscaped 80-acre campus, just minutes from downtown Portland.  Offering a wide variety of independent cottages and apartments, OceanView also offers the peace of mind of a care continuum, including Falmouth House and Legacy Memory Care. Locally owned and managed since 1986, OceanView is an open and welcoming community that celebrates diversity, energy efficiency and sustainable living while promoting a vital, stress-free lifestyle.