Maine DHHS Closes Sanford Office After Employee Tests Positive for COVID-19

AUGUSTA - The Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) office in Sanford is closed today in response to an employee testing positive for COVID-19. The office was closed to the public and employees Tuesday morning and will reopen as soon as possible to ensure continued access to critical benefits and services.

DHHS was informed of the test result Tuesday morning and notified employees who work in the Sanford office, located at 890 Main St., Suite 208. DHHS is identifying close contacts of this individual, who is isolating and was last in the office on November 25.

DHHS temporarily closed the Sanford office as a precaution, to allow time for close contacts to be notified and for appropriate cleaning and sanitizing per guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Affected employees are working remotely.

In order to abide by privacy requirements, DHHS is limited in releasing further information about this case. We wish our employee a speedy recovery.

Individuals interested in applying for benefits may visit MyMaineConnection or contact the DHHS Office for Family Independence Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at 1-855-797-4357.

All DHHS offices have instituted appropriate physical distancing, face covering, and sanitation policies.

Measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 should be taken seriously regardless of the setting, including maintaining physical distance, wearing a face covering, avoiding gatherings, staying home if you're not feeling well, and speaking to your health care provider if you experience symptoms consistent with COVID-19, such as shortness of breath, fever, and cough.