Already, two other XBB strains, XBB.1.9.1 and XBB.1.9.2 are also rising in the U.S. [87] Maine College of Art closed all academic buildings to students on March 15, 2020, and announced on March 29, 2020, that the remainder of the spring term would be conducted online. Chris Sununu warned that coronavirus cases are rising in the state, and the increase could continue. In Portland, the proposed $261 million budget includes a 6.1% tax increase. But this time, the story is more complicated than it was in previous waves. ", Even states with high vaccination rates see upticks. Experts say the key to getting through the winter will ultimately be to get more Americans fully vaccinated and boosted when eligible. Recoveries: Reported completed isolations The department said it would monitor the remaining state parks, most of which were still closed for the winter though walk-ins are permitted. COVID [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. Published: Feb. 16, 2022 at 8:47 AM EST The rolling average of daily cases more than [7] On the same day, 20 cases were confirmed at the Penobscot Hope House Health and Living Center in Bangor, Maine which houses a homeless shelter.[8][9]. Maine (WABI) - 748 new cases of COVID being reported by the Maine CDC. The state reported 605 new cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday, the highest one-day total since March 4. [10] By September 5, the outbreak had infected 177 people and caused seven deaths, including 80 cases at a prison 230mi (370km) away. Learn more. Login. [77], Bowdoin College announced on March 11, 2020, that students would not be permitted to return to campus from spring break and that the remainder of the semester would be conducted by remote learning. "We're definitely seeing an upswing in Massachusetts," said Robert Horsburgh, an infectious disease doctor and a professor of global health and medicine at Boston University. 22State health officials reported 178 new cases of COVID-19 on Monday but no additional deaths, as Maine prepares to enter the next inoculation phase ahead of anticipated increases in vaccine supplies. Passengers using walkers and wheelchairs were allowed to board from the front of the bus. Mills announced a plan to gradually restart Maine's economy. Im committed to protecting the health of our staff as well as the public we serve, and as such we will continue to monitor public health recommendations and requirements and make sure were doing whats in the best interest of our community, Jennings said in the citys release. Similarly, 14 states -- Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont and Wisconsin -- have seen an increase of about 10% or more in hospital admissions over the last week. Although hospitalizations have declined significantly from the country's summer surge, when more than 104,000 patients were hospitalized at one time, 47,000 patients currently in the hospital with COVID-19 -- an increase of 2,000 from last week. [24] All gatherings of 10 or more people were prohibited, and non-essential businesses such as gyms, hair-salons, casinos, and malls were urged to close to minimize gatherings in public. [38], On March 30, Maine Governor Janet Mills issued "a Stay Healthy at Home directive that requires people living in Maine to stay at home at all times unless for an essential job or an essential personal reason, such as obtaining food, medicine, health care, or other necessary purposes. [80] Colby College announced that all on-campus classes would end the week of March 12, 2020 and students would move off campus. You can share 5 more gift articles this month.. 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. 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. While the numbers are far from their peak at the height of the omicron wave, some experts had hoped the spring would offer a reprieve from the coronavirus. [82] On March 19, 2020, a staff member in the Colby College department of athletics was the college's first positive case. This declaration allows for state agencies and municipalities in Maine to be reimbursed for 75% of approved costs related to pandemic response.[41][42]. [115], The Maine Department of Transportation said that since the stay at home order issued by Gov. However, many experts say warmer weather in the weeks ahead will likely help tamp down cases. Andujar Vazquez is hopeful that case counts will plateau by late-May and return to significantly lower levels by mid- to late-June. 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. [53], The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry closed 10 coastal state parks as overcrowding at those parks made social distancing difficult. The fully vaccinated includes those who have had a first and second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, or the single-dose J&J vaccine. On April 7, Governor Mills issued an executive order that expanded healthcare access to Maine residents. COVID cases and deaths continue to rise as Maine CDC works New cases, 7-day average: 107.6 What is clear,according to MGH's Lemieux,is that it has the ability to drive up cases. COVID (Maine CDC) By WABI News Desk. New deaths: 0 Of the 61 samples that were sequenced in July, 60.7 percent were identified as the delta variant. [52], On April 29, Gov. "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. The CDC also has noted that treatment of the delta variant does not differ from other strains of the virus, nor do isolation or quarantine protocols. The city is committed to the health and wellbeing of our residents and visitors, Portland Mayor Kate Snyder said in a news release. The number of COVID-19 infections in Maine has jumped 35 percent since July 1 as the delta variant has swept across every corner of Maine, leading to record numbers Apr. [72] 98.5% of students who were enrolled in University of Maine system campuses at the start of the semester completed their studies despite COVID-19 disruptions. New Covid-19 Cases Rising In 22 States. [92] There have been no COVID-19 cases on the Thomas College campus and the institution plans to resume in-person classes in the fall. [80] On May 4, 2020, the University of New England reported that it would reopen its campus in time for the fall semester, and on May 18, 2020, it was announced that virtual graduation events would be held the weekend of June 1214, 2020. Covid Covid: Why are UK cases so high [98] SMCC will also hold all summer classes online. Mills issued a Stay Safer at Home Executive Order, which was set to be in effect until May 31, 2020. [86] On March 12, 2020, The College of the Atlantic announced that all instruction for spring 2020 would move to an online format, residence halls would be closed, and all in-person services would be eliminated. [18], On March 16, 2020, Maine was one of the first states to have its application for the United States Small Business Administration Economic Injury Disaster Loan approved, which would help businesses in Maine recover financial losses due to coronavirus closures. Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation, Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, Institute for Doctoral Studies in the Visual Arts, Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority, Timeline of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States, "Coronavirus | Airborne Disease Surveillance Epidemiology Program | MeCDC | Maine DHHS", "Live Coronavirus Updates: 3 dead, 253 confirmed cases", "Maine confirms first coronavirus case, patient is quarantined at home", "Navy reservist who was first in Maine to test positive for coronavirus traveled to Italy", "Coronavirus claims state's first fatality as case count rises", "Eight workers at Tyson Foods plant in Portland test positive; state says all 400 should be tested", "Virus outbreaks reported at Portland meat plant, Bangor homeless shelter", "COVID-19 outbreak identified at Hope House shelter in Bangor with 20 total cases", "A wedding reception in Maine is linked to 53 coronavirus cases, including a woman who died but wasn't at the event", "Residents are angry after Maine wedding linked to 7 virus deaths: "We can't go nowhere", "Coronavirus Outbreak Linked To Maine Church Grows To Over 40 Cases", "More than 40 coronavirus cases linked to Maine church that held fellowship rally", "Max Linn, a colorful candidate, dead at 62", "Gov. Location of diagnosis and treatment may vary. The testing will be available at no charge later this month, the administration said. [107], York County Community College (YCCC) had moved all classes online as of March 17, 2020 and on May 20, 2020, announced a postponement of their spring 2020 commencement ceremony. I think undoubtedly the removal of the mask mandate for public transportation and in flights is contributing to the current surge, said Amy Barczak, an infectious disease specialist at MGH and the Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard. COVID Fully vaccinated: 818,713 Several other entertainment venues did not return messages seeking information on their masking policies Thursday. [71], The University of Maine system created the Maine Welcome program to offer in-state tuition to students at other colleges and universities who may have had their studies disrupted by closures of academic institutions due to COVID-19. All rights reserved. New Hampshire Republican Gov. [21], On March 17, 2020, Governor Mills issued a Declaration of Abnormal Market Disruption, which prohibits specific essential items from being sold at unconscionable prices, including paper products, cleaning supplies, personal hygiene products, and medical supplies. Copyright 2022 WABI. Covid Maine has been one of the most successful states at controlling the virus, but it's dealing with a wave of new infections. So if you come to the theater, you will need a mask, even if on one day the numbers pull Cumberland out of the high zone, Stewart said in an email. Back on October 10, I listed for Forbes eight reasons why the Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic could get worse in the U.S. in the late Fall and Winter. [113] Washington County Community College moved all their courses online as of March 17, 2020. The order also required residents of Maine to wear cloth face coverings in public places where physical distancing could not be achieved, such as within retail stores and taking public transportation. Mills rescheduled Maine's congressional and legislative primary elections from June 9, 2020, to July 14. COVID cases in Maine This order allowed all health care providers that were licensed under the Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation, including social workers and physical therapists, to provide services via telemedicine. That's a lot of warm water for hurricane delta. Covid-19 cases are rising in China but economic impact seen as limited Percentage of people testing positive rose to 1.7 per cent on April 20 up from 0.7 per cent three weeks earlier City Hall remains closed to the general public and is currently open for limited in-person services. [28] The data also shows an increase in infections among primary and secondary school children. Why Are Covid Reported confirmed and probable cases. COVID-19 cases top over 200,000 in Maine after vital records review, NASA confirms first radar-observed meteor fall seen in Maine, Masks to no longer be required at MaineHealth facilities. He said the Maine CDC is taking a close look at why Waldo County is seeing such high transmission rates, but theres no clear answer right now. The seven-day average of new cases in Maine rose to 310 on Friday, a nearly 50 percent increase in less than a week, and Maine's case count in the last two weeks has increased 55 percent, according to The New York Times. 16As the BA.2 omicron subvariant of COVID-19 drives up infections in the Northeast, Maine reported 437 new cases on Saturday. Covid-19 cases are on the rise in the United States again. [97], On March 12, 2020, Southern Maine Community College (SMCC) chose to extend its Spring Break and on March 17, 2020, the decision was made to move all courses to an online format, close residence halls, and cancel all gatherings of more than ten people. 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. Hospitalizations are approaching the pandemic peak from last winter and September was Vermonts second-deadliest month during the pandemic. One resident each in Cumberland, Waldo and Franklin counties. The College of the Atlantic in Bar Harbor, which also had previously said it would wait for full FDA approval before moving ahead with a vaccine requirement, announced Thursday all faculty, staff and students who plan to be on campus this academic year must be vaccinated. The town of South Thomaston said Wednesday it would pay $200 to residents or others who frequent the town for getting vaccinated. 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. [20] The Maine Legislature also enacted a supplemental budget of $73 million which focused on coronavirus response, including $1 million to the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention, $15 million to increase MaineCare reimbursement rates for health care providers, and $38 million to K-12 education to help in the wake of school closures. The U.S. CDC defines high transmission as cumulative cases of 100 or more per 100,000 people in the last seven days. The Mills administration said recently it plans to distribute 400,000 rapid antigen tests. Anyone can access the link you share with no account required. Mokdad compared Maine and Florida using data from the institute, which projects COVID-19 cases around the country. Ongoing COVID-19 viral pandemic in Maine, United States, Map of the outbreak in Maine by confirmed. [120], The Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority announced a suspension of all remaining Amtrak Downeaster service, to begin April 13 and last until April 30, after two prior service reductions. The number of Mainers who have received a COVID-19 booster shot stands at 651,034. [24], On March 19, 2020, Governor Mills wrote a letter to Vice President Mike Pence and the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar to request for more personal protective equipment be released to the state of Maine from the Strategic National Stockpile. The U.S. reported 112,270 new [47][48] The rent relief program began with $5 million and allowed households to receive a one-time, up to $500 payment in assistance to their landlord. After vital reccords review, COVID-19 cases in the state of Maine have topped over 200,000. Maine What's more, according toHorsburgh, few of the current COVIDpatients in hospitalsare gravely ill. As of Wednesday, just 66 COVID patients were in an intensive care unit, according to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. Nationwide, COVID-19 cases have fallen 7 percent over the past two weeks compared with the prior two-week period, according to a New York Times analysis. Maine CDC reports 437 new COVID-19 cases, no additional deaths [58][59] The committee consists of thirty-seven members, and is co-chaired by Laurie Lachance, President of Thomas College and former Maine State Economist, and Josh Broder, the CEO of Tilson. Enter your email and password to access comments. [73] The University of Maine system formed a Fall 2020 Safe Return Planning Committee and will plan to return to in-person instruction by the end of August and will invest $97 million in institutional aid that does not need to be repaid by students or their families. [118] Traffic counts had decreased by 20 percent in the immediate aftermath of the stay at home order, with weekend traffic falling 50 percent. Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Janet Mills said Sunday. Waldo County remains in the high transmission category, where mask wearing also is recommended. Shah said whipsawing between recommendations where masking is recommended in a county on Monday, not on Tuesday but recommended again on Wednesday can undermine confidence in public health. [98] Students will be allowed to convert letter grades into pass/fail grades at the end of the term. Cases are typically updated weekly and are less consistently reported than earlier in the pandemic because of a lack of widespread testing. [105][106], On March 12, 2020, Kennebec Valley Community College (KVCC) announced a spring break extension. Such projects include maintenance on several Portland-area bridges on Interstate 295, which can now occur at daytime due to a 60 percent traffic reduction from normal levels. Vaccinations have dropped off in recent weeks but the state continues to have one of the best vaccination rates in the country, with 69 percent of the vaccination-eligible population of those 12 and over fully inoculated and 60 percent of the entire population. Mills signs order preventing evictions amid coronavirus", "Mills administration announces $11 million in funds to support essential workers and child care providers amid COVID-19", "Governor Mills Presents Safe, Gradual Plan to Restart Maine's Economy | Office of Governor Janet T. Mills", "Governor Mills Extends Maine's Stay At Home Order | Office of Governor Janet T. Mills", "Maine governor extends stay-at-home order through May, details plan for reopening state - The Boston Globe", "Maine closing 10 state parks and beaches to stem tide of coronavirus", "Baxter State Park shuts down camping and traffic", "Acadia National Park shutting down amid coronavirus outbreak", "Governor Mills Convenes Expert Committee to Advise on State's Economic Recovery | Office of Governor Janet T. Mills", "Governor Mills convening Economic Recovery Committee", "Maine Moves Toward Fully Reopening After Statewide COVID-19 Closures", "Emergency Ordinance to Allow Biddeford Retailers and Restaurants to Utilize Public Space", "Mills extends Civil State of Emergency through July 10 amid coronavirus, COVID-19 pandemic", "To Fight COVID-19, Governor Mills Strengthens Enforcement of Face Covering Requirement as Maine Reopens | Office of Governor Janet T. Mills", "Governor Mills Updates Moving Maine Forward Plan, Lifts Restrictions | Office of Governor Janet T. Mills", "Governor Mills Welcomes End of State of Civil Emergency | Office of Governor Janet T. Mills", "Maine DHHS to receive $6.5 million to 'fight COVID-19 and future pandemics', "Mills Administration, Public Higher Education Systems Coordinating Response to COVID-19 | Office of Governor Janet T. Mills", "Maine colleges and universities receive $41 million in federal coronavirus aid", "Universities resume classes March 25, commit to room and board adjustments and rebates for residential students", "Universities Planning for Alternative Commencement Celebrations During the COVID-19 Pandemic", "UMaine System offers in-state tuition to students displaced by COVID-19", "98.5% of University of Maine System Students Finish Spring Semester", "UMaine System plans to welcome students to campus Fall 2020", "UMaine System to expedite $2.56 million in IT upgrades this summer in 180 classrooms", "3/16/20 | Message from the President - Campus Safety - Maine Maritime Academy", "Coronavirus - Campus Safety - Maine Maritime Academy", "Bowdoin College students will not return from spring break due to coronavirus concerns", "Another coronavirus case confirmed at Bowdoin College", "Novel Coronavirus COVID-19 Updates | Emergency Preparedness and Response | University of New England in Maine, Tangier and Online", "Colby College announces on-campus classes will end this week; students to leave campus for remote learning", "Colby College staff member tests positive for coronavirus", "Colby College in Waterville reports 5 cases of coronavirus, including at least 2 students", "Bates College has lost up to $2 million due to COVID-19", "Implementations to Prepare for the Coronavirus (March 12 Update)", "Maine College of Art Spring '20 Update (March 29, 2020)", "Updates for our community on the Coronavirus Thomas College", "Communications from the President - COVID-19", "March 13, 2020 Update from President Bissell", "ADN applications reopened until June 1, 2020", "SMCC to offer online summer courses, cancels in-person classes due to COVID-19", "SMCC offers workforce training programs for people affected by COVID-19", "March 13th COVID-19 Campus Update - EMCC", "YCCC Announces '21 Promise Program and Future Campus Initiatives", "YCCC Announces Plans to Return to In-Person/On-Campus Classes This Fall", "Plummeting Maine Turnpike traffic a 'proxy for economic collapse", "Maine DOT planning more daytime construction on I-295 in Portland amid decreased traffic due to coronavirus, COVID-19", "Turnpike authority doubles pay to keep tollbooth workers on the job", "Island Explorer shuttle bus postponing service amid coronavirus, COVID-19 pandemic", "Island Explorer will run in 2021 with fewer routes, 12 people per bus", "Downeaster to suspend service temporarily starting Monday", "Downeaster Train Service Suspended After Daily Ridership Falls To 20 Passengers", "Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) - Updates and Information", Maine Department of Health and Human Services, Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha, Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics and Paralympics, Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics and Paralympics, Community Activities Restrictions Enforcement, neurological, psychological and other mental health outcomes, Decentralized Privacy-Preserving Proximity Tracing, Zhongyianke BiotechLiaoning Maokangyuan Biotech, Kandakadu Treatment and Rehabilitation Centre, Sancaktepe Prof. Dr. Feriha z Emergency Hospital, Yeilky Prof. Dr. Murat Dilmener Emergency Hospital, Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations, International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses, Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, National Institute for Communicable Diseases, National COVID-19 Commission Advisory Board, National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration for COVID-19, COVID-19 Response Acceleration Task Force, Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Great American Economic Revival Industry Groups, Tests, cases, tests per capita, cases per capita by country, Tests, cases, tests per capita, cases per capita by country subdivision, World map by countries: confirmed per capita, Morocco (including occupied Western Sahara), Biden administration COVID-19 action plan, House Select Coronavirus Crisis Subcommittee, Pandemic Response Accountability Committee, Special Inspector General for Pandemic Recovery, COVID-19 Congressional Oversight Commission, Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2020, Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act, Take Me to the World: A Sondheim 90th Birthday Celebration, U.S. "More than 40% of the country remains unvaccinated. [37] Nursing homes were also now able to request funds to help respond to the pandemic within their facilities. The seven-day average for case counts is over three times higher than it was in March. [99] Short-term workforce training including an online pharmacy technician training and professional education online licenses in areas such as business, data analysis, finance, and human resources were also made available by SMCC to those impacted by the pandemic. As the COVID-19 virus explodes across the country, Maine this week recorded a significant increase in cases, hospitalizations, and positivity rates. Track Covid-19 in Maine - The New York Times [6] On April 29, 8 employees working at a local Tyson Foods meat packaging plant in Portland, Maine tested positive for COVID-19 prompting talks about halting the plant's production. [63], On May 15, 2021, Gov. Due to live soccer on CBS Wednesday afternoon, the Maine CDC briefing will be shown on the CW at 2 p.m.