Millinocket inn first Maine business to be cited for COVID violation after wedding outbreak

A man and a teenage boy back belongings into a kayak on the ground in front of a cabin

Photo / Adele Flynn Campers pack their kayak at the cabins at Big Moose Lodge in 2015. The lodge, which also includes cabins, a campground and restaurant, was cited by Maine CDC for violating the state's COVID-19 restrictions at an Aug. 7 wedding that resulted in a coronvirus outbreak.

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By Maureen Milliken

A lodge in Millinocket that hosted a wedding reception Aug. 7 that led to a COVID-19 outbreak has been issued an imminent health hazard citation by the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

Big Moose Inn, Cabins & Campground is the first business in the state to be cited for violating the state's indoor gathering limit of 50 people. The citation is an official notice that the business violated health regulations, said Dr. Nirav Shah, director of the Maine CDC. He said the citation doesn't have a financial penalty. "If there's further noncompliance, that's when the financial penalties start," Shah said.

As of Thursday afternoon, there were 32 positive COVID-19 cases associated with the wedding party — 26 confirmed and six probable. One person is hospitalized at Millinocket Regional Hospital, Shah said. So far, 87% of those who have tested positive in the outbreak have symptoms, which he said is typical, because those with symptoms are the first ones to seek treatment. The median age of those who have tested positive is 65, with ages ranging from 4 to 78; seven of those with COVID-19 are under 18.

Shah said the owners are cooperating and, as the citation requires, have said they will not violate the requirements in the future. Aside from the 50-person indoor limit, the checklist for large gatherings also includes guidance of face coverings, how to serve food and further social distancing advice. It wasn't clear Thursday whether that guidance was followed.

The wedding reception took place at the inn, which also has cabins and a campground. It's halfway between the town and Baxter State Park, on Millinocket Lake, and is popular with fishermen, paddlers, hikers and other outdoor enthusiasts.

The church where the wedding took place, Tri-Town Baptist Church, has not been cited, though it's possible it may be, Shah said. "We're still investigating more of the contours of the gatherings that occurred," he said. "As we learn more about who was where and in what numbers, that will determine where we go. Right now it's too early to say."

Shah said the restaurant at the inn was also operating in excess of the capacity of its license as an eating establishment.

While there have been other outbreaks associated with private gatherings, including one on Nautilus Island, off Castine, in June, those have been on private residential property and involved out-of-state visitors. The Millinocket outbreak comprises 27 people from Penobscot County and five from Somerset County.

Some 29 of those testing positive attended the wedding, reception or both. Three didn't attend either the wedding or reception. Shah said the investigation is looking into whether there were other related gatherings, or if the three non-wedding related cases are related to the gatherings at all.

Testing of those at the wedding, reception and others they came into contact with is ongoing.

"As our investigation continues, we keep our focus on care and well-being of those who are ill," he said. "That's what an epidemialogic investigation is about — helping people who are sick and helping prevent others from becoming sick."

The Maine CDC is also investigating four cases among York County Jail and Sheriff Department staff, and is testing staff and inmates, and investigating the outbreak's origin. That investigation just began Thursday, and no other details are available.