MAINE, USA — KEY MAINE CORONAVIRUS FACTS
- 19 Mainers have died out of 616 confirmed COVID-19 cases
- 114 Mainers have been hospitalized, 256 Mainers have recovered
- Governor Janet Mills orders National Guard and MEMA to help open alternative coronavirus care sites in Portland and Bangor
- Governor Janet Mills has issued a 'Stay Safe at Home' order. She has also ordered all out-of-staters coming to Maine to quarantine for 14 days.
- Maine education commissioner recommends schools keep remote learning for remainder of school year
- Filing for unemployment still dominating discussions around Maine. Here's our story on how to file for Maine unemployment. You can scroll down for more more resources available to Mainers
- Subscribe to 'break time with NEWS CENTER Maine' our new newsletter. Delivered to your email inbox for your break time.
LATEST CORONAVIRUS UPDATE
Saturday, April 11
6:30 p.m.
4 p.m.
Maine CDC announced that nine people at the Maine Veterans' Homes Scarborough location have tested positive for COVID-19. The release says six staff members and three residents all have the coronavirus. One resident that tested positive has died.
11 a.m.
The Maine CDC reported two additional deaths due to the coronavirus, bringing the state total to 19.
Cases surpassed 600 with 616 confirmed cases in the state. There have been 256 recoveries and 114 hospitalizations.
Friday, April 10
Maine CDC's update, 2:30 p.m.:
The Maine CDC reported 586 confirmed cases, 246 recoveries, 111 total hospitalizations at some point during their illness, and 17 deaths.
The new death announced Friday was a woman in her 80s from Cumberland County.
In addition to York and Cumberland, community transmission has now been confirmed in Penobscot County.
Maine CDC Director Dr. Nirav Shah said there are currently 57 patients hospitalized due to COVID-19, 20 of which are in the intensive care unit.
"All of these numbers, while very important, don’t yet paint the full picture of impact of COVID-19 on Maine people and those who care for them," Dr. Shah said.
There are 22 positive cases at the Tall Pines retirement community in Waldo County; 19 of the positive cases are residents, and three are staff. The Maine CDC said they delivered 72 hours worth of personal protective equipment (PPE) to the facility to help with the outbreak, and is working to pull a larger order together in the coming weeks.
There has also been an outbreak at a rehab facility in Augusta, where four residents have tested positive. The state is currently delivering the facility an emergency order of PPE.
The federal government changed course on the number of rapid point-of-care testing kits made by Abbott Labs Maine would be receiving. While initially they said the state would be getting 100 test kits, Maine will actually only be getting five. Martin's Point Health Care is donating five of the kits they have received to the state, effectively doubling the state's capacity to perform rapid tests.
Dr. Shah said the Abbott tests would be used in the areas most needed for patients in congregate settings, such as for those who are homeless.
Thanking Martin's Point, Dr. Shah said, “This is exactly the sort of public-private partnership that makes me proud to be working in Maine right now."
Gov. Janet Mills also spoke at the briefing, commenting on the current power outages across the state. She said MEMA is assisting to help expedite power restoration, giving priority to hospitals and health facilities that are without power.
Mills said 100 people are being hired and trained to help answer unemployment phone calls, which continues to be a problem for the thousands filing claims across the state.
When asked about the possibility of lifting restrictions if the curve appears to be flattening, Mills said: "We don’t know that the curve is flattened, it takes a very long time to analyze ‘the curve’ and the progression of this infection, and we’re not safe right now. We’re not safe to lift any of the restrictions that were imposed. We’ve got to stay the course, stay apart, to be safe in the long run…there’s no timeline on […] this virus. There’s no timeline on lifting the restrictions, yet. That’s why I’m cautioning patience, courage, and compassion.”
Mills said she has drafted an Executive Order regarding rescheduling the state's June primary election and expects to send it out later Friday.
Bath Iron Works union president: 'I'd be shocked if there's not a strike,' amid coronavirus outbreak
LATEST MAINE CDC BRIEFING
- President Trump says 'US at the top of the hill' of infections; US deaths surpass 16,500
- ‘You're at the mercy of a system you don't know how to get through to’: a message from the jobless in Maine
- $1 billion for Maine small businesses approved through Paycheck Protection Program
- New Hampshire COVID-19 coronavirus cases continue to rise
- How to navigate stress and anxiety while social distancing during the coronavirus pandemic
- If you have custody questions during the coronavirus 'stay-at-home' order, the answer is simple: follow the court order
- High school students use 3D printer to help relieve mask discomfort for healthcare workers during coronavirus
- Group homes want PPE before a coronavirus outbreak
- Facing economic hardships due to coronavirus, New Balance furloughs employees
- Maine 2020 high school spring sports season canceled due to coronavirus
- Unemployment claims in Maine hit highest weekly total on record amid coronavirus, COVID-19
- Maine nurse separated from his family due to COVID-19 inspires headbands for health care workers project
RESOURCES
- Maine food resources and retail adjustments
- How to file for Maine unemployment
- Will you get a stimulus check if you receive Social Security or disability, or didn’t file a tax return?
- Stimulus check calculator: See how much you'll likely be getting
- Millions of Americans will soon get stimulus checks. But here's who won't.
- Maine small businesses can apply for 'forgivable loans'
- Maine school and business closings
- What shelter-in-place, stay-at-home orders mean
- What Homeland Security deems 'essential businesses'
Coronavirus, COVID-19 Background
The official name for the coronavirus is “SARS-CoV-2” and the disease it causes is named “coronavirus disease 2019” or “COVID-19” for short. Coronavirus is a family of viruses, which can infect people and animals. The viruses can cause the common cold or more serious diseases like SARS, MERS, and COVID-19.
The CDC says symptoms of the coronavirus include fever, cough, difficulty breathing, and in some cases sore throat.
The CDC says there are simple steps to take to reduce the possible spread of COVID-19:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands
- Stay home while you're sick and avoid close contact with others
The Maine Centers for Disease Control (CDC) announced on Tuesday, March 10 that they would be holding daily coronavirus briefings with director Dr. Nirav Shah to keep the public up to date on the situation in Maine.