MAINE, USA — KEY MAINE CORONAVIRUS FACTS
- As of Saturday, 139 Mainers have died out of 5,035 total COVID-19 cases. 4,522 of these cases are confirmed by test and 513 are probable.
- 439 Mainers have been hospitalized, 4,346 Mainers have recovered.
- Stage 3 began on July 1; here are the Stage 3 reopening checklists for businesses
- VERIFY: Requirement to wear a face mask does not violate constitutional rights
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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.
- Subscribe to 'break time with NEWS CENTER Maine' our new newsletter. Delivered to your email inbox for your break time.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 19
The Maine CDC reported an additional person with COVID-19 has died, for a state total of 139. There were 30 additional cases reported Saturday.
The additional death reported Saturday is a man in his 80s from Somerset County.
- Total cases: 5,035
- Confirmed cases: 4,522
- Probable cases: 513
- Deaths: 139
- Hospitalizations: 439
- Recoveries: 4,346
- Case rate per 10k people: 37.6
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18
Maine CDC did not report any additional deaths of people with COVID-19, meaning the state death total remains at 138.
Of the 5,005 total COVID-19 cases in Maine, 4,492 are confirmed by test and 513 are probable.
437 Mainers have been hospitalized at some point during their COVID-19 illness.
4,335 Mainers have recovered from COVID-19.
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17
The Maine CDC did not report any additional deaths of people with COVID-19, meaning the state death total remains at 138.
Of the 4,962 total COVID-19 cases in Maine, 4,458 are confirmed by test and 504 are probable.
436 Mainers have been hospitalized at some point during their COVID-19 illness.
4,317 Mainers have recovered from COVID-19.
Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Outbreak
There are a total of 18 confirmed cases among people associated with the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard. 13 are among Maine residents, 4 are among New Hampshire residents, and one is a Massachusetts resident.
Maine CDC Director Dr. Nirav Shah said a group of people commuted together from Sanford to the shipyard. Dr. Shah said seven of the nine people who were part of the caravan have now tested positive. He said Maine CDC continues to investigate the potential linkage, as well as potential patterns of transmission.
Outbreak at The Baker Company in Sanford
There are three confirmed cases among people associated with The Baker Company in Sanford.
Outbreak at Buffalo Wild Wings in Auburn
Four employees at the Buffalo Wild Wings in Auburn have tested positive. Dr. Shah said the facility is closed for a deep cleaning and the four people who tested positive are in isolation.
Millinocket Wedding Outbreak Update
There are now 177 cases linked to an August wedding in Millinocket. There have also been seven deaths of people with COVID-19 linked to the wedding - six of which have been among people associated with the Maplecrest Rehabilitation and Living Center in Madison.
Gov. Mills signs curtailment order to maintain budget stability
Governor Janet Mills signed a curtailment order Thursday to maintain budget stability amid a projected revenue shortfall caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The executive order, which adopts recommendations from the Department of Administrative and Financial Services, curtails allotments to the State’s General Fund by $221,775,584 and to the Highway Fund by $23,000,822.
The order avoids deep programmatic cuts, thereby protecting Maine’s safety net infrastructure and preserving critical public health, public safety and education funding that Maine people rely on, according to Mills. Mills said it also avoids layoffs of State personnel and leaves intact Maine’s Budget Stabilization Fund, also known as the “Rainy Day Fund”, the balance of which stands at $258.9 million.
“While every state in the nation is facing significant challenges as a result of COVID-19, our actions today will ensure Maine’s fiscal stability in the short term and prevent significant impacts to the services that Maine people rely on,” Mills said. “I urge Congress and the Administration in Washington to act immediately to provide additional aid to state and local governments so that we can continue to preserve critical services for Maine people and chart a full economic recovery.”
More specifically, the curtailment order:
- Replaces approximately $97 million in State spending with one-time Federal funding from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act Coronavirus Relief Funds for authorized public health and safety costs in line with updated guidance from the U.S. Treasury Department;
- Adopts approximately $125 million in departmental cost savings and efficiencies. These departmental cost savings include funds from CARES Act’s higher Medicaid federal reimbursement rates (“FMAP”); federal grants awarded for departmental functions; and managing expenses by freezing many vacant positions; delayed technology updates; reduced spending on contracts; and cancelling conferences, projects and related travel.
THE DATA
RESOURCES
- Maine food resources and retail adjustments
- How to file for Maine unemployment
- Beginning of plan to reopen Maine schools
- 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'
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) is holding coronavirus briefings on Tuesdays and Thursdays with director Dr. Nirav Shah to keep the public up to date on the situation in Maine
NEWS CENTER Maine YouTube COVID-19 Playlist