The Cambridge Public Health Department Reports One New Case of COVID-19 at a Long-Term Care Facility

UPDATE: October 22, 2020 - 

The individual referenced in yesterday's statement had several COVID tests performed during their stay at the hospital. Although one did come back positive, due to the negative status of the other tests as well as the identification of an alternative diagnosis that has similar symptoms to COVID, we are no longer considering this a new case, as advised by the Hospital Associated Infection Team. Our case count will decrease by one.

On Tuesday, October 20, the Cambridge Public Health Department was alerted through the MAVEN surveillance system and the facility that a resident of a long-term care facility tested positive for COVID-19. This individual is a resident of a different facility than that of the cluster reported by CPHD earlier this month, and there is no evidence that the cases are connected.

Based on information from the facility, the health department believes this individual was infected while admitted at a hospital, where they were discharged yesterday, October 20, back to the facility. Following the recommendation of the individual’s infectious disease doctor, they will complete 20 days of isolation instead of the standard 10 days for positive cases.

Prior to being admitted to the hospital, this individual shared a room with others at the facility. All roommates are following the standard 14-day quarantine period, being tested, and being monitored for symptoms.