MAINE, USA — KEY MAINE CORONAVIRUS FACTS
- As of Monday, 102 Mainers have died out of 2,971 COVID-19 total cases. 2,640 of these cases are confirmed by test and 341 are probable.
- 336 Mainers have been hospitalized, 2,406 Mainers have recovered.
- Maine is open for business, here's what you need to know
- Read about all the important coronavirus-related orders currently in place in Maine
- Maine reopening plan accelerated, indoor dining now allowed in all 16 counties
- Going out? CDC shares tips to stay safe amid coronavirus pandemic
- Gov. Mills' administration releases guidance for town meetings and elections during COVID-19 pandemic
- Phase 2 of Maine's reopening plan begins, as businesses can still deny service to those without face coverings
- Governor Janet Mills' statewide stay-safer-at-home order remains in effect but with eased restrictions
- Read Maine Governor Janet Mills' detailed plan to reopen Maine economy during coronavirus, COVID-19 pandemic
- 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 resources available to Mainers
- Local businesses are the backbones of our communities. NEWS CENTER Maine cares about our state and asks that you support your local business and restaurants right now. If you are a business owner, please register your business. If you want to support a local business, enter your zip code and find out what’s OPEN NEAR YOU.
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MONDAY, JUNE 22
Over the weekend, the Maine CDC became aware of four paramedic/EMS personnel from the Houlton Ambulance Service who tested positive for COVID-19. One person who was transported via ambulance has tested positive, and another four people who were in close contact with the positive EMS personnel have tested positive, for a total of nine individuals associated with the outbreak.
Given the potential of exposure of the residents of the area, the Maine CDC worked quickly to set up a testing site at Houlton Regional Hospital to provide testing services on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. The Maine CDC recommends that anyone who had physical contact with anyone from the Houlton Ambulance Service between June 8 and now to register for testing at that site. Testing is available free of charge.
Dr. Shah said the downward trend of reported cases and hospitalizations in recent weeks is encouraging but at the same time, there are parts of the country that are experiencing record-numbers of cases. Dr. Shah said for those reasons, the Maine CDC is remaining vigilant on the possibility of an uptick in cases in Maine.
He asks that everyone continue to wear face coverings when out in public, as it's one of the surest ways to reduce the likelihood of transmission.
"To protect public health," Gov. Janet Mills Administration says the reopening of bars for indoor service is delayed across Maine. Bars have been able to reopen for outdoor service and were tentatively scheduled to reopen for indoor service on July 1 as part of Stage 3 of the Restarting Maine's Economy Plan.
The Mills administration says, however, that given the elevated health risk presented by bars, the timeline to allow indoor service is postponed "until further notice."
Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Commissioner Jeanne Lambrew said she thinks compared to other states with similar types of epidemiology related to COVID-19, Maine's reopening plan for bars fares well.
Lambrew said the State's been working with bars and restaurants to expand outdoor seating capacities in order to make dining safe as well as beneficial from a business standpoint.
Rewatch the briefing here:
- Aroostook County COVID-19 outbreak being investigated
- Precautions underway for a second possible Aroostook County COVID-19 exposure
- Virtual trek with dad this Father's Day
- WHO reports largest single-day increase in coronavirus cases
- 'An absolute zoo': Positive COVID-19 test, busy South Carolina island rattle PGA
- Watchdogs say Treasury too secretive on small business coronavirus loans
- 2nd wave of COVID-19 cases? Experts say we're still in the 1st wave
- President Trump suggests he urged slowing of coronavirus testing
- 6 staffers setting up for Trump Tulsa rally positive for COVID-19
- These states require face masks be worn in public
- Maine CDC: State population is 1.6% Black, yet 24% of Maine's COVID-19 cases are among Black community
THE DATA
Dr. Nirav Shah made clear that when the Maine CDC reports deaths, they are reporting that someone has died who had been confirmed positive with COVID-19, not the cause of death specifically. The cause of death determination is left to the medical examiner.
According to Maine CDC Director Dr. Nirav Shah, as of a few days ago, there were roughly 2,900 Mainers tested each week. This includes people tested through the state lab in Augusta, as well as large commercial testing companies like LabCorp. Dr. Shah said right now, the positivity rate is over 5%, meaning for every 100 people tested, about 5 or 6 are positive. Compared to other states, whose positivity rates are 10 or 15%, Maine is doing better, Dr. Shah says. He says he'd like to see Maine's positivity rate around 2%, which is what South Korea's is. To do that, Dr. Shah says testing must increase two or three-fold.
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.