MAINE, USA — KEY MAINE CORONAVIRUS FACTS
- 52 Mainers have died out of 1,056 confirmed COVID-19 cases
- 166 Mainers have been hospitalized, 615 Mainers have recovered
- Governor Janet Mills has extended Maine's statewide stay-safer-at-home order to May 31
- Read Maine Governor Janet Mills' detailed plan to reopen Maine economy during coronavirus, COVID-19 pandemic
- A timeline of the coronavirus pandemic in Maine
- 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
- 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.
- Subscribe to 'break time with NEWS CENTER Maine' our new newsletter. Delivered to your email inbox for your break time.
LATEST CORONAVIRUS UPDATES
WEDNESDAY APRIL 29
2 p.m. Maine CDC update
The Maine CDC is reporting one additional death due to COVID-19, bringing the state total to 52. There are 16 new cases, 1,056 total; 615 people have recovered and 166 people have been hospitalized at some point during their illness.
The additional death announced Wednesday was a woman in her 70s from Cumberland County.
There have now been 151 residents and 81 staff who have been diagnosed with COVID-19 at long-term care facilities where outbreaks have occurred. 29 of Maine's 52 deaths have been among people associated with long-term care facilities where outbreaks have occurred.
Penobscot Community Health Care announced Wednesday that Hope House is experiencing an outbreak associated with COVID-19 confirmed positive cases. 16 new cases were confirmed positive Wednesday morning, bringing the total number of confirmed positive cases for Hope House guests and staff to 20.
Dr. Nirav Shah, Director of the Maine CDC, said he is now aware of eight cases in people affiliated with the Tyson food processing plant in Portland. Dr. Shah said none of the diagnosed individuals are currently working and the Maine CDC has recommended universal screening of all employees.
The Maine CDC, in collaboration with the National Guard and the Maine Department of Transportation, is shipping out more than 11,000 pieces of personal protective equipment (PPE) on Wednesday. About 75 percent of that PPE is going to congregate care settings. The remaining 25 percent is going to first responders at the community level.
Dr. Shah said the PPE that Maine CDC has is going to people on the front lines fighting the virus. He said specific businesses in Maine will need to acquire their own masks and face coverings needed to meet health requirements.
When asked about out-of-state residents coming to Maine for Memorial Day weekend, Maine Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Heather Johnson acknowledged Memorial Day likely won't look the same as in years past.
"I think it's unlikely we'll have widespread tourism access by Memorial Day but there may be some smaller things we can come to an agreement on by then and we are working through those," Johnson said.
Johnson said dentist's offices are part of the elective medical procedures and are part of Stage 1 of Governor Janet Mills' administration's reopening plan.
"As a drinker of Diet Coke, I am particularly focused on when my dentist's office will reopen," Dr. Shah responded with a chuckle.
2 p.m.
12 p.m.
11 a.m.
- Maine Lobster Festival 2020 canceled, rescheduled for 2021 amid coronavirus, COVID-19 pandemic
- John Krasinski's 'Some Good News' will honor Class of 2020 graduates
- Maine drive-in theaters will be allowed to open in May as part of the coronavirus economic recovery plan
- Portland preps for plan to reopen businesses following the coronavirus
- Gov. Mills extends statewide stay-at-home order to May 31
- Read Maine Governor Janet Mills' detailed plan to reopen Maine economy during coronavirus, COVID-19 pandemic
- Westbrook couple builds mini library for neighbors during coronavirus, COVID-19 pandemic
- As hair salons reopen amid coronavirus, COVID-19, owners navigate 'new normal'
- Trump orders meat processing plants to remain open
- US reaches 1 million confirmed COVID-19 cases
- VERIFY: Antibody tests versus COVID-19 tests. The pros and cons of both.
- 'We have to stop the bleeding': Business owner says Maine economy will be a disaster if more can't open during coronavirus, COVID-19
- Younger Election Day workers needed due to coronavirus, COVID-19 concerns
- Nearly 70 dead in 'horrific' outbreak at Massachusetts veterans' home
- When will Acadia National Park reopen?
- Maine PUC to evaluate impacts of coronavirus pandemic on utility customers and utilities
- Update: After overwhelming response, Allagash runs out of beer on second day of its beer-filled 'thank you' week
- Auburn mayor urges Gov. Mills to lift stay-at-home order
- Josh Gad reunites 'Goonies' cast to raise money for coronavirus relief efforts
- Maine Potato Blossom Festival canceled due to coronavirus, COVID-19
- Moose lottery exclusively online
- Food insecurity on the rise, as Mainers feel COVID-19's economic impact
- Exercising outside safely during stay-at-home order during coronavirus pandemic
- Gov. Mills approves bar, restaurants to sell 'cocktails to go'
TAKE A MOMENT FOR 'A BREATH OF FRESH AIR'
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'
MAINE CDC BRIEFINGS
MAINE CORONAVIRUS CASES
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.