As the COVID-19 virus explodes across the country, Maine this week recorded a significant increase in cases, hospitalizations, and positivity rates. COVID In recent days, the numbers have prompted several school districts, including Arlington, Belmont, and Cambridge, to urge masking in classrooms. The state had been slated to reopen bars Monday, but that has been postponed to a yet-to-be-determined date, said Mills, a Democrat. [111], Northern Maine Community College (NMCC) discontinued face-to-face classroom instruction on March 18, 2020, and also canceled their spring 2020 commencement ceremony. Why [80] Colby College announced that all on-campus classes would end the week of March 12, 2020 and students would move off campus. 16As the BA.2 omicron subvariant of COVID-19 drives up infections in the Northeast, Maine reported 437 new cases on Saturday. Dr. Eric Topol, head of Scripps Research Translational Institute, said case numbers will likely keep growing until the surge reaches about a quarter the height of the last "monstrous" one in the winter, according to the Associated Press. Mills issues declaration to protect Maine people against price-gouging amid coronavirus pandemic", "Governor Mills, Legislature Spearhead Emergency Legislative Package to Respond to COVID-19 | Office of Governor Janet T. Mills", "Maine bars, restaurants ordered to close to dine-in customers, coronavirus cases increase", "Governor Mills urges federal government, Vice President to release personal protection equipment from national stockpile", "Governor Mills, Maine Congressional Delegation Convene Call on COVID-19 | Office of Governor Janet T. Mills", "Mills signs executive order guaranteeing pay for schools' hourly support staff", "Bangor area Community Connector bus system makes changes to prevent COVID-19 spread", "Amid virus outbreak, state opens fishing season early to encourage Mainers to get outside", "Mills requests federal assistance for Maine's seafood industry", "Janet Mills orders many nonessential Maine businesses to close to fight coronavirus", "Portland announces stay at home emergency order", "South Portland issues stay-at-home order", "Governor Mills takes emergency action on medical licensing, telehealth", "Gov. 2020 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. [65], On November 10, 2021, The Maine Department of Health and Human Services announced it would be receiving 6.5 million in funding from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention's Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity for Prevention and Control of Emerging Infectious Diseases program to combat COVID-19. "As we go into the winter months with the challenge of a respiratory infection being worse in the winter months, we can get through this if we really put a lot of effort into getting as many people vaccinated as we possibly can," Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases said in an interview with NPR, this week. What's really concerning about these data are that the hospitalization rates are also going up, Lemieux said. Cases Rising in Maine [40], On April 4, Governor Mills announced that her request for a major disaster declaration was approved by President Donald Trump. There is not an outbreak that is driving it and thus, because theres not an outbreak, it is community transmission, Shah said. Maines daily COVID case count significantly higher this week The Rising Nepal; Sun, 23 April 2023; Mexico migrant camp tents torched across border from Texas. Mills announced that she would create an Economic Recovery Committee to develop recommendations to help address the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Maine's economy. Use the form below to reset your password. Dr. Rivers is paying attention to another new subvariant, XBB.1.9.1, which makes up about 8 percent of U.S. infections right now. To get one, go to the subscriptions page. [98] On April 1, 2020, the President of SMCC, Joe Cassidy, made the decision to host a virtual commencement ceremony. Maine is among the 5 states where COVID-19 cases are expected Covid cases Since mid-October, the average number of new COVID-19 cases has risen by approximately 17%, marking the first consistent increase in national cases in nearly 10 weeks. [81] All events, performances, and athletic matches were canceled at Colby College beginning on March 15, 2020. [115], The Maine Department of Transportation said that since the stay at home order issued by Gov. For weeks throughout the early fall, the U.S. had seen steady declines in coronavirus infections and hospitalizations, offering hope that perhaps the pandemic was finally subsiding in the U.S. after a significant summer surge across the South and a renewed push for vaccinations. [51][18], On April 28, Gov. Mills, traffic on state roads had declined by double digits. Heres why. Waldo Countys current seven-day case rate is 199 cases per 100,000 people. Maine recorded a record 789 new Covid-19 cases in the state on Thursday; a testing site in Auburn, Maine. [114], The Maine Community College System hosted fall classes online or in person, or a combination of both formats. COVID Covid Breakthrough COVID-19 cases are rising in Maine, but theyre still [67] Maine colleges and universities received $41 million in federal aid as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, with $17.2 million going to the University of Maine System's seven campuses and $8.7 million going to the Maine Community College System. "We won't have transmission when people are outdoors. "If we do not control this outbreak, we may never get this evil genie back in the bottle," she said. Mills announces expansion of health care access for Mainers", "Governor Mills Issues Executive Order to Expand Access Health Care During COVID-19 | Office of Governor Janet T. Mills", "Mills officially pushes back June elections to July 14", "Governor extends civil state of emergency in Maine through May 15", "Gov. ", Jennifer Nuzzo, epidemiology lead at the Johns Hopkins University Coronavirus Resource Center, called the stall in the national decline "worrisome. Despite widespread availability of the vaccine, we still have pockets of under-vaccinated communities that consistently provide opportunities for the virus to spread," said John Brownstein, an epidemiologist at Boston Children's Hospital and an ABC News contributor. Across the U.S., coronavirus case numbers have been rising due to the spread of the delta variant, mostly among the unvaccinated. On April 7, Governor Mills issued an executive order that expanded healthcare access to Maine residents. It was unclear how the traffic decrease would affect the Turnpike's finances, though executive director Peter Mills said he would recommend to the Authority's board that they go ahead with a vote on a $28 million contract to widen five miles of the highway. A total 17 were in critical care units and three on ventilators. [28] The data also shows an increase in infections among primary and secondary school children. The new XBB.1.16 Omicron subvariant is rising in the U.S. and may cause unusual symptoms like pink eye, especially in children. There are 54 critical care beds available in the state. Published: Feb. 16, 2022 at 5:47 AM PST AUGUSTA, Maine (WABI) - 3,556 new COVID-19 cases are being reported making the new state total 202,221. Experts say several factors is likely driving the U.S.'s recent COVID uptick. If the page does not reload within 5 seconds, please refresh the page. On March 12, Maine announced the state's first confirmed case of the coronavirus, a Navy reservist in her 50s from Androscoggin County who had returned from duty in Italy. Thank you! As county transmission levels are expected to change daily, the city of Portland is asking the public to remain aware of the current recommendations by visiting the CDCs website, reading and watching the news, following the requirements of private establishments and when in doubt, wearing a mask. [43][44] This order also extended license expiration and renewal dates. Janet Mills convenes a coronavirus response team for Maine", "Janet Mills advises postponing gatherings after Maine sees first positive coronavirus test", "Janet Mills declares state of emergency after Maine announces new coronavirus cases", "SBA Approves Governor Mills' Application for Loans to Help Eligible Businesses Impacted by COVID-19 | Office of Governor Janet T. Mills", "Gov. You can share 5 more gift articles this month.. Cumberland and the other counties remain in the green, or low-risk, category. "We estimate that 54% of people in Maine COVID All rights reserved. Mills orders quarantine restrictions on travelers arriving in Maine", "Gov. [107] KVCC updated students on the movement to online course formats on March 18, 2020, and announced on March 31, 2020, that commencement plans would be modified. Covid [10] By September 5, the outbreak had infected 177 people and caused seven deaths, including 80 cases at a prison 230mi (370km) away.