AUGUSTA — U.S. Senator Susan Collins convened a meeting Friday, March 13 with leaders of Maine’s health care providers who are on the frontlines in fighting the coronavirus pandemic. 

The briefing included professionals representing nursing homes, hospitals, physicians, and community health centers.

The medical experts shared their insight and discussed what resources they need to properly protect Mainers and help slow the spread of COVID-19, a press release noted.

“I appreciated the opportunity to update this group of Maine health care leaders on Congress’ latest actions to respond to the coronavirus and, more important, hear directly from them on what challenges they are facing,” said Senator Collins. “It was a very productive meeting. All of us have the same goal, and that is to keep Mainers as safe and as healthy as possible. To the people of Maine, I would say that this is a time to prepare and to protect, but not to panic.”

During the meeting, the Maine Centers for Disease Control announced that two more individuals in Maine have tested presumptively positive for COVID-19.

The attendees spoke about the steps their health care organizations are taking to “flatten the curve” of cases rather than allowing infections to grow exponentially, per the release.

Senator Collins praised the response of Maine officials to the outbreak, including Maine CDC Director Dr. Nirav Shah, whom she met with in February, the release said. 

The Senate cancelled the state work period that was originally scheduled for next week following Senator Collins’ call for the chamber to remain in session and consider legislation to combat the coronavirus, according to the release.

Senator Collins, a senior member the Appropriations Committee and a member of the Senate Health Committee, voted to advance a $7.8 billion package to fight the coronavirus, which was signed into law March 6, according to the release.

Those attending today’s briefing included Steven Michaud, President, Maine Hospital Association; Dr. Steven Diaz, Chief Medical Officer, MaineGeneral Health; Andrew MacLean, CEO, Maine Medical Association; Dan Morin, Director of Government Relations, Maine Medical Association; Rick Erb, President & CEO, Maine Health Care Association; Nadine Grosso, Vice President & Director of Communications, Maine Health Care Association; Laurie Belden, Executive Director, Home Care & Hospice Alliance of Maine; Ken Albert, President & CEO, Androscoggin Home Health and Hospice; Darcy Shargo, CEO, Maine Primary Care Association; and Sarah Morrill, RN, BSN, Quality Improvement Program Manager, Maine Primary Care Association.