MARION — Sippican Healthcare Center, a long-term healthcare facility, has reported 10 new cases of coronavirus among staff and residents and two covid-related deaths of residents as of Nov. 9. There are now 44 active cases of the virus associated with the facility.

Kathryn Soderberg, chief compliance office at Whittier Health Network (the owners of the facility) said that of the 44 recent cases, 26 residents are currently being treated in-house (some asymptomatic) and one resident went home. There are 15 employees who tested positive. One resident died in the hospital and one died at the facility.

This increase comes after a report of 33 new cases at the center on Nov 6.

“We’re hopeful that we will get this under control and be covid-free once again,” Soderberg said, adding that the facility will “continue in our extraordinary efforts to keep all employees and staff safe and healthy.”

Because of the new cases, the long-term care facility is not accepting new patients at this time, and visitors are temporarily not allowed.

According to the center’s website, the long-term healthcare facility has had 58 total confirmed cases since May 8, 10 residents and staff have recovered from the virus, and 212 staff and residents have tested negative.

The center said it has been following guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services for both residents and staff.

To prevent the spread of covid, normal operations of the facility have been altered or suspended in accordance with state guidelines. 

The center is social distancing residents, screening employees every shift and increasing cleaning and sanitizing. 

It is also providing residents with cloth masks and education on mask use, hand hygiene and cough etiquette.