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Health

Vaccinated Mainers should be prepared to wear masks indoors again, top state health official says

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Fully vaccinated Mainers should be prepared to resume wearing masks indoors as the delta variant of the coronavirus makes up a substantial portion of new COVID-19 cases, according to Maine’s top public health official.

Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention Director Nirav Shah briefed members of the Bangor City Council on Monday evening as the state continues to see a rise in new COVID-19 cases.

“We probably need to be prepared, even for fully vaccinated folks, for the time being, to go back to wearing masks in indoor settings,” Shah told councilors during a workshop.  

In addition, he said, vaccinated children should prepare for the possibility of wearing masks when they return to school in the fall. 

The delta variant, first detected in India, is now the most dominant strain of COVID-19 worldwide. Public health experts have found it’s much more contagious than previous coronavirus strains, posing risks especially for the unvaccinated.  

In Maine, the delta variant represented nearly 48 percent of virus samples tested this month as of July 23, according to the state CDC. 

While new COVID-19 cases have been rising in Maine, state officials have not said they’re weighing the return of indoor mask requirements. Maine’s mask requirement for vaccinated residents ended on May 24, and Gov. Janet Mills’ pandemic state of emergency ended on June 30. 

State and federal health officials continue to recommend that unvaccinated people wear masks. Mask requirements remain in place for all forms of public transportation, including buses and planes. Masks are optional in schools.

Mills’ office did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Tuesday morning.

Another cause for concern has been low vaccination rates in some parts of Maine, Shah said. 

While about 60 percent of the state’s population is now vaccinated, vaccination rates by county range from a low of 47.7 percent in Somerset County to a high of 71.5 percent in Cumberland County. Some 54.5 percent of Penobscot County residents are vaccinated, according to the Maine CDC. In the zip code that covers Bangor, Glenburn, Hermon and Veazie, 83 percent of residents are fully vaccinated.

Vaccine rates have remained low among younger Mainers ages 16 to 29.

If this continues, Shah said, Maine residents may need to start ramping up protective measures such as masking and social distancing that waned earlier this summer when caseloads were lower.

“We need to be ready to surge back up, whether it’s around PPE, whether it’s around vaccinations, testing, as well as case investigations, and planning for those possibilities,” Shah said. 

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Health

Mainers 16+ to be eligible for COVID-19 vaccine April 7

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Gov. Janet Mills announced Thursday that all Mainers 16 and older will be eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine beginning April 7.Mills said the state is accelerating its vaccine due to a significant increase in vaccine supply from the federal government next week.Mainers 16 and older had previously been scheduled to become eligible on April 19. Currently, Mainers 50 and older are eligible.“Maine continues to get as many people vaccinated as quickly as possible. With the Federal government significantly increasing our supply of vaccines, it is appropriate to accelerate our timeframe and make all Maine people eligible beginning next Wednesday,” Mills said.Maine will receive 54,790 doses, including 19,890 Pfizer doses, 14,300 Moderna doses and 20,600 Johnson & Johnson doses.The 54,700 doses only represent the state of Maine’s allotment from the federal government. It does not include doses that will go to area pharmacies next week.The governor cautioned Mainers that even though the eligibility timeline is being accelerated, it could take some time to get an appointment for a vaccine.“We will continue to work with vaccine providers across Maine to get shots into arms as quickly as we can,” Mills said.For 37-year-old Angie Dyer of Saco, who’s battling cystic fibrosis which puts her in a higher risk category, the announcement comes with a sense of security.“You know it kind of takes away any classification or hierarchy that’s going on regarding this, and it’s all inclusive, which is fabulous,” Dyer said. The increase in supply is one of the reasons why Maine CDC’s Dr. Nirav Shah said that expanding eligibility is possible, coupled with the groundwork that’s been laid over the past few months.“Our ability to turn vaccines into vaccinations, that is to say the number of vaccine sites, the number of hours per day they’re open, the number of days per week they’re open and the number of people they have at any one time to administer their shots,” Dr. Shah said of the other reason expanding eligibility is possible.The change comes as a relief to Maine’s hospitality industry ahead of what’s expected to be a good summer season.“This is very welcome news. It will really, I think, kickstart the rehiring process and I think given the timing, we have time to get staffed up before the, the rush comes and I think we are going to see a very strong season,” said Steve Hewins of Hospitality Maine. As of Thursday, more than 435,000 Mainers, or 32.41% of the population, have received at least a first dose of a vaccine, and more than 277,000 Mainers, or 20.61% of the population, have received a final dose.The governor said Maine is currently fourth best in the country for the percentage of its population with at least one dose of vaccine and currently ranks seventh best nationwide for the percentage of its population fully vaccinated.

AUGUSTA, Maine —

Gov. Janet Mills announced Thursday that all Mainers 16 and older will be eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine beginning April 7.

Mills said the state is accelerating its vaccine due to a significant increase in vaccine supply from the federal government next week.

Mainers 16 and older had previously been scheduled to become eligible on April 19. Currently, Mainers 50 and older are eligible.

“Maine continues to get as many people vaccinated as quickly as possible. With the Federal government significantly increasing our supply of vaccines, it is appropriate to accelerate our timeframe and make all Maine people eligible beginning next Wednesday,” Mills said.

Maine will receive 54,790 doses, including 19,890 Pfizer doses, 14,300 Moderna doses and 20,600 Johnson & Johnson doses.

The 54,700 doses only represent the state of Maine’s allotment from the federal government. It does not include doses that will go to area pharmacies next week.

The governor cautioned Mainers that even though the eligibility timeline is being accelerated, it could take some time to get an appointment for a vaccine.

“We will continue to work with vaccine providers across Maine to get shots into arms as quickly as we can,” Mills said.

For 37-year-old Angie Dyer of Saco, who’s battling cystic fibrosis which puts her in a higher risk category, the announcement comes with a sense of security.

“You know it kind of takes away any classification or hierarchy that’s going on regarding this, and it’s all inclusive, which is fabulous,” Dyer said.

The increase in supply is one of the reasons why Maine CDC’s Dr. Nirav Shah said that expanding eligibility is possible, coupled with the groundwork that’s been laid over the past few months.

“Our ability to turn vaccines into vaccinations, that is to say the number of vaccine sites, the number of hours per day they’re open, the number of days per week they’re open and the number of people they have at any one time to administer their shots,” Dr. Shah said of the other reason expanding eligibility is possible.

The change comes as a relief to Maine’s hospitality industry ahead of what’s expected to be a good summer season.

“This is very welcome news. It will really, I think, kickstart the rehiring process and I think given the timing, we have time to get staffed up before the, the rush comes and I think we are going to see a very strong season,” said Steve Hewins of Hospitality Maine.

As of Thursday, more than 435,000 Mainers, or 32.41% of the population, have received at least a first dose of a vaccine, and more than 277,000 Mainers, or 20.61% of the population, have received a final dose.

The governor said Maine is currently fourth best in the country for the percentage of its population with at least one dose of vaccine and currently ranks seventh best nationwide for the percentage of its population fully vaccinated.

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Health

Two more Mainers with COVID-19 have died as total cases top 45,000

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The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention says two more Mainers with COVID-19 have died as total cases top 45,000.The number of Mainers with COVID-19 who have died is now 705. The two new deaths were reported in York County.The Maine CDC reported an additional 147 cases on Wednesday, bringing the total since the beginning of the pandemic to 45,091.MAINE CORONAVIRUS DATA: Deaths: 705 Total cases: 45,091 Confirmed cases: 35,411 Probable cases: 9,680 Cumulative positivity rate: 2.84% 14-day positivity rate: 1.3% Currently hospitalized: 67 Patients in intensive care: 24 Patients on ventilators: 8Get more detailed COVID-19 data from the Maine CDCMaine COVID-19 Vaccine LatestBeginning March 3, Mainers 60 and older are eligible to be vaccinated.After that, people 50 and older will become eligible in April, people 40 and older in May, people 30 and older in June and people younger than 30 in July.The state has switched to an age-based strategy for the vaccine rollout saying recent scientific data indicates that age is among the strongest predictors of whether an individual is likely to get seriously ill and die from COVID-19.The timeline could be accelerated if the vaccine supply increases.Health care providers offering vaccines MaineHealth: Call 1-877-780-7545 or register here. Northern Light Health: Call 207-204-8551 or make an appointment here. Central Maine Healthcare: Call 207-520-2917 or register here. St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center: Fill out this form. Get more information here. MaineGeneral: Call 1-800-968-8219 or register here. York Hospital: Call 207-752-8685 or register here.Retail pharmacies offering vaccines Walmart Sam’s Club Walgreens HannafordCOVID-19 symptomsPer the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, these are the symptoms you should watch out for: Fever or chills Cough Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing Fatigue Muscle or body aches Headache New loss of taste or smell Sore throat Congestion or runny nose Nausea or vomiting DiarrheaThis list does not include all possible symptoms. The CDC will continue to update this list as they learn more about the virus.Should I get tested for COVID-19? Where can I get a test in Maine?The CDC recommends that you should consider taking a COVID-19 test if you: have symptoms of COVID-19. have had close contact (within 6 feet for a total of 15 minutes or more) with someone with confirmed COVID-19. have been asked or referred to get testing by their health care provider, local/external icon or state ​health department.You can look up where to get a COVID-19 test in Maine by visiting Get Tested COVID-19.Emergency care for COVID-19 symptomsThe CDC says to look for emergency warning signs for coronavirus. If someone is showing any of these signs, seek emergency medical care immediately: Trouble breathing Persistent pain or pressure in the chest New confusion Inability to wake or stay awake Bluish lips or faceThis list is not all possible symptoms. Call your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning to you. Call 911 or call ahead to your local emergency facility: Notify the operator that you are seeking care for someone who has or may have COVID-19.Maine COVID-19 Resources StrengthenME: The Maine Department of Health and Human Services created StrengthenME to help Mainers cope with the stress and uncertainty of the pandemic. The program offers a hotline that is open seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Anyone in need of assistance can call the hotline at 207-221-8198. Maine Helps: The Maine Helps website offers ways Mainers can directly help nonprofits, health care and businesses during the COVID-19 outbreak. FrontLine WarmLine: Maine Department of Health and Human Services phone line to help Mainers who are working on the frontlines of the coronavirus outbreak. The phone line will be staffed from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. each day by calling 207-221-8196 or 866-367-4440. The service will eventually include a text option, officials said. 211 Maine: The state’s 211 system can answer general questions about coronavirus from callers. Mainers can also text 898-211 to have their questions answered. NAMI Maine Resources: NAMI Maine is offering several programs to help people with mental health concerns due to the COVID-19 crisis.

AUGUSTA, Maine —

The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention says two more Mainers with COVID-19 have died as total cases top 45,000.

The number of Mainers with COVID-19 who have died is now 705. The two new deaths were reported in York County.

The Maine CDC reported an additional 147 cases on Wednesday, bringing the total since the beginning of the pandemic to 45,091.

MAINE CORONAVIRUS DATA:

  • Deaths: 705
  • Total cases: 45,091
  • Confirmed cases: 35,411
  • Probable cases: 9,680
  • Cumulative positivity rate: 2.84%
  • 14-day positivity rate: 1.3%
  • Currently hospitalized: 67
  • Patients in intensive care: 24
  • Patients on ventilators: 8

Get more detailed COVID-19 data from the Maine CDC

Maine COVID-19 Vaccine Latest

Beginning March 3, Mainers 60 and older are eligible to be vaccinated.

After that, people 50 and older will become eligible in April, people 40 and older in May, people 30 and older in June and people younger than 30 in July.

The state has switched to an age-based strategy for the vaccine rollout saying recent scientific data indicates that age is among the strongest predictors of whether an individual is likely to get seriously ill and die from COVID-19.

The timeline could be accelerated if the vaccine supply increases.

Health care providers offering vaccines

Retail pharmacies offering vaccines

COVID-19 symptoms

Per the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, these are the symptoms you should watch out for:

  • Fever or chills
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
  • Fatigue
  • Muscle or body aches
  • Headache
  • New loss of taste or smell
  • Sore throat
  • Congestion or runny nose
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Diarrhea

This list does not include all possible symptoms. The CDC will continue to update this list as they learn more about the virus.

Should I get tested for COVID-19? Where can I get a test in Maine?

The CDC recommends that you should consider taking a COVID-19 test if you:

  • have symptoms of COVID-19.
  • have had close contact (within 6 feet for a total of 15 minutes or more) with someone with confirmed COVID-19.
  • have been asked or referred to get testing by their health care provider, local/external icon or state ​health department.

You can look up where to get a COVID-19 test in Maine by visiting Get Tested COVID-19.

Emergency care for COVID-19 symptoms

The CDC says to look for emergency warning signs for coronavirus. If someone is showing any of these signs, seek emergency medical care immediately:

  • Trouble breathing
  • Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
  • New confusion
  • Inability to wake or stay awake
  • Bluish lips or face

This list is not all possible symptoms. Call your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning to you. Call 911 or call ahead to your local emergency facility: Notify the operator that you are seeking care for someone who has or may have COVID-19.

Maine COVID-19 Resources

  • StrengthenME: The Maine Department of Health and Human Services created StrengthenME to help Mainers cope with the stress and uncertainty of the pandemic. The program offers a hotline that is open seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Anyone in need of assistance can call the hotline at 207-221-8198.
  • Maine Helps: The Maine Helps website offers ways Mainers can directly help nonprofits, health care and businesses during the COVID-19 outbreak.
  • FrontLine WarmLine: Maine Department of Health and Human Services phone line to help Mainers who are working on the frontlines of the coronavirus outbreak. The phone line will be staffed from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. each day by calling 207-221-8196 or 866-367-4440. The service will eventually include a text option, officials said.
  • 211 Maine: The state’s 211 system can answer general questions about coronavirus from callers. Mainers can also text 898-211 to have their questions answered.
  • NAMI Maine Resources: NAMI Maine is offering several programs to help people with mental health concerns due to the COVID-19 crisis.

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