Local Coronavirus COVID-19 Resource Center

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Maine farmers have been awarded a total of $50,329,634 to date to help offset the financial harm they have experienced due to COVID-19, according to a news release.

The funding is provided through the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP), created through the CARES Act, which will provide up to $16 billion in direct payments to deliver relief to America’s farmers.

In addition to facilitating the Farmers to Families Food Box program, CFAP is providing…

AUGUSTA — The Maine CDC has announced, Dec. 12, an additional seven COVID-19 deaths in the state, bringing the state’s COVID-19 death toll to 257.

Below is a table of all the COVID-19 cases in Maine resulting in deaths. Some information has not been provided by the Maine CDC. 

AUGUSTA — The Maine CDC has updated its list, Dec. 12, of COVID-19 cases in the state of Maine.

Each morning, the Maine CDC updates its COVID-19 data on its website with the latest coronavirus numbers from across the state.

The below data represents the number of full-time Maine residents who have been tested for COVID-19,…

AUGUSTA — Governor Janet Mills released the following statement late Friday night in response to news the FDA has issued an emergency use authorization for Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine:

“The approval of Pfizer’s vaccine is a beacon of hope during this challenging time and further proof of the vast and remarkable power of science.

“Over the past several months, my Administration has worked closely with Maine hospital systems, health care officials, long term care facilities,…

AUGUSTA — The Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) announced Friday the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC) has placed its second order for doses of COVID-19 vaccine for 37,850 people to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Operation Warp Speed.

This order, according to a news release, represents the second in a series of vaccine requests Maine CDC will file in the coming weeks and months, as specified by Operation Warp Speed, as part of…

AUGUSTA — Governor Janet Mills and Commissioner for the Department of Administrative and Financial Services Kirsten Figueroa announced Friday the Administration has committed all of Maine’s $1.25 billion in CARES Act Coronavirus Relief Funds (CRF).

The final commitment of $6.8 million will fund the public-private partnership with Westbrook-based IDEXX Laboratories for COVID-19 testing. This partnership has more than quadrupled Maine’s capacity for detecting the virus, according to a…

AUGUSTA — With widespread community transmission and increased COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations in Maine, Governor Janet Mills signed Friday an Executive Order that simplifies and strengthens the enforcement of the State’s face covering requirement.

Moving forward, owners and operators of all indoor public spaces — regardless of the type of entity or size — must not allow those who refuse to wear a face covering to enter or remain in their venue, according to a news release.

AUGUSTA — The Maine CDC has announced, Dec. 11, an additional four COVID-19 deaths in the state, bringing the state’s COVID-19 death toll to 250.

Below is a table of all the COVID-19 cases in Maine resulting in deaths. Some information has not been provided by the Maine CDC. 

AUGUSTA — The Maine CDC has updated its list, Dec. 11, of COVID-19 cases in the state of Maine.

Each morning, the Maine CDC updates its COVID-19 data on its website with the latest coronavirus numbers from across the state.

The below data represents the number of full-time Maine residents who have been tested for COVID-19,…

AUGUSTA - For the week ending December 5, the Maine Department of Labor recorded about 3,000 initial claims filed for state unemployment insurance, and 1,200 initial claims filed for federal Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA).

By contrast, for the week ending November 28, the Maine Department of Labor recorded about 1,900 initial claims filed for state unemployment insurance, and 700 initial claims filed for federal Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA).

Between March 15…

There is hope on the horizon as we prepare to enter a new year with the COVID pandemic. Three vaccines have been proven safe and effective in numerous clinical trials and they are making their way through the approval process.

The State of Maine has been working on a distribution plan for some time, and MaineHealth has played a vital role in that process.

It appears that the vaccine will be given first to health care workers who have direct clinical contact with patients and…

The Maine Department of Labor continues its careful review of all claims as it investigates unemployment imposter fraud.

During the week ending December 5, the Department cancelled 518 initial claims and five weekly certifications that were determined to be fraudulent.

Unemployment imposter fraud is when a person's Personally Identifiable Information, or PII, is stolen and used illegally to apply for unemployment benefits. Maine is one of many U.S. states working in close…

AUGUSTA — The Maine CDC has updated its list, Dec. 10, of COVID-19 cases in the state of Maine.

Each morning, the Maine CDC updates its COVID-19 data on its website with the latest coronavirus numbers from across the state.

The below data represents the number of full-time Maine residents who have been tested for COVID-19,…

AUGUSTA — Governor Janet Mills and Commissioner of Labor Laura Fortman announced Wednesday the State will provide certain individuals who are unemployed due to COVID-19 with a one-time direct relief payment of $600 through the State’s newly-created Pandemic Relief Program (PRP).

The relief payment is meant to assist unemployed Maine people at a time when they continue to face substantial economic hardship as a result of COVID-19 and are losing their Federal unemployment benefits at…

AUGUSTA — The Maine CDC has announced, Dec. 9, an additional seven COVID-19 deaths in the state, bringing the state’s COVID-19 death toll to 246.

Below is a table of all the COVID-19 cases in Maine resulting in deaths. Some information has not been provided by the Maine CDC. 

AUGUSTA — The Maine CDC has updated its list, Dec. 9, of COVID-19 cases in the state of Maine.

Each morning, the Maine CDC updates its COVID-19 data on its website with the latest coronavirus numbers from across the state.

The below data represents the number of full-time Maine residents who have been tested for COVID-19,…

Maine Center for Disease Control Director Dr. Nirav Shah announced Dec. 7 the CDC has launched an investigation into East Boothbay shipyard Washburn & Doughty for a COVID-19 outbreak.

The Boothbay Register spoke with Maine CDC Communications Director Robert Long who confirmed the outbreak involves three cases and the investigation is ongoing. The Maine CDC defines an outbreak as three or more confirmed cases from different households within 14 days.

Washburn & Doughty…

AUGUSTA — The Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) announced Monday that starting this week, 17 call center specialists will join the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to provide notification and support for people newly testing positive for COVID-19.

This is part of a comprehensive plan to adapt Maine's response to best contain the spread of coronavirus in light of the surge in cases in the state, a news release stated. 

The team from the…

AUGUSTA — The Maine CDC has announced, Dec. 8, an additional 12 COVID-19 deaths in the state, bringing the state’s COVID-19 death toll to 239.

Below is a table of all the COVID-19 cases in Maine resulting in deaths. Some information has not been provided by the Maine CDC. 

AUGUSTA — The Maine CDC has updated its list, Dec. 8, of COVID-19 cases in the state of Maine.

Each morning, the Maine CDC updates its COVID-19 data on its website with the latest coronavirus numbers from across the state.

The below data represents the number of full-time Maine residents who have been tested for COVID-19,…

AUGUSTA — The Maine CDC has updated its list, Dec. 7, of COVID-19 cases in the state of Maine.

Each morning, the Maine CDC updates its COVID-19 data on its website with the latest coronavirus numbers from across the state.

The below data represents the number of full-time Maine residents who have been tested for COVID-19,…

AUGUSTA — The Maine CDC has updated its list, Dec. 6, of COVID-19 cases in the state of Maine.

Each morning, the Maine CDC updates its COVID-19 data on its website with the latest coronavirus numbers from across the state.

The below data represents the number of full-time Maine residents who have been tested for COVID-19,…

AUGUSTA — After being exposed to a member of her protective security detail that tested positive for COVID-19, Governor Janet Mills announced Saturday afternoon she received negative PCR test results after taking a test Thursday, Dec. 3.

The Governor began quarantining December 1 following an exposure to COVID-19 from one of the security detail members November 28.

The official, who became symptomatic following that date and was considered a probable case when Governor Mills…

AUGUSTA — The Maine CDC has announced, Dec. 5, an additional three COVID-19 deaths in the state, bringing the state’s COVID-19 death toll to 227.

Below is a table of all the COVID-19 cases in Maine resulting in deaths. Some information has not been provided by the Maine CDC. 

AUGUSTA — The Maine CDC has updated its list, Dec. 5, of COVID-19 cases in the state of Maine.

Each morning, the Maine CDC updates its COVID-19 data on its website with the latest coronavirus numbers from across the state.

The below data represents the number of full-time Maine residents who have been tested for COVID-19,…

AUGUSTA — The Maine Department of Health and Human Services announced Friday the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC) has placed orders for doses of COVID-19 vaccine for 12,675 people to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Operation Warp Speed.

This order represents the first in a series of vaccine requests that Maine CDC will file in the coming weeks and months, as specified by Operation Warp Speed, as part of Maine's accessible, flexible, and equitable…

This policy is an update to the Visitor Restrictions imposed on Friday, March 20, 2020 and updated on June 16, July 20 and again on November 18. This latest update will take effect on December 4, 2020 and shall remain in effect until further notice, according to the hospitals, in a news release.

In response to the coronavirus outbreak, Pen Bay Medical Center (PBMC) and Waldo County General Hospital (WCGH) are implementing increased restrictions with regard to its policies…

AUGUSTA — Governor Janet Mills and Commissioner of Economic and Community Development Heather Johnson announced Friday a commitment of $10 million in federal CARES Act Coronavirus Relief Funding to a newly-created Agriculture and Food Processing Infrastructure Reimbursement Program.

The program, which was created in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry and is being administered by Coastal Enterprises, Inc (CEI), is…

AUGUSTA — The Maine Principals’ Association announced Friday team-based practices and team-based scrimmaging for moderate and high-risk interscholastic winter sports, which were originally slated to begin December 14 have been delayed until January 4, 2021.

The decision, which was made in collaboration with the Maine School Boards Association, the Maine School Superintendents Association, the Maine Interscholastic…

AUGUSTA — Governor Janet Mills and Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF) Commissioner Amanda Beal announced Friday a commitment of $2 million in federal CARES Act Coronavirus Relief Funding to DACF’s Food Security Network Reimbursement Program. 

The program, which will be administered by Catholic Charities Maine on behalf of DACF, offers up to $10,000 in reimbursements to food banks and pantries that have accrued unanticipated…

AUGUSTA — Governor Janet Mills announced Friday she will extend the requirement for certain businesses statewide to close by 9 p.m. through Sunday, January 3, 2021.

The extension is aimed at limiting activities that lead to COVID-19 transmission, amid a sustained and dangerous increase in COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and positivity rates in the State of Maine, according to a news release. 

Today, Dec. 4, the state recorded 290 new cases, four new deaths, 164 presently…

AUGUSTA — The Maine CDC has announced, Dec. 4, an additional two COVID-19 deaths in the state, bringing the state’s COVID-19 death toll to 224.

Below is a table of all the COVID-19 cases in Maine resulting in deaths. Some information has not been provided by the Maine CDC. 

AUGUSTA — The Maine CDC has updated its list, Dec. 4, of COVID-19 cases in the state of Maine.

Each morning, the Maine CDC updates its COVID-19 data on its website with the latest coronavirus numbers from across the state.

The below data represents the number of full-time Maine residents who have been tested for COVID-19,…

AUGUSTA — For the week ending November 28, the Maine Department of Labor recorded about 1,900 initial claims filed for state unemployment insurance, and 700 initial claims filed for federal Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA).

In total, approximately 2,300 people were filing an initial claim or reopening their unemployment claim.

About 11,600 weekly certifications, or continued claims, were filed last week for state unemployment, with another 15,400 weekly certifications…

On Thanksgiving day, I decided to roll up my sleeves and attempt to bake some bread. Not just any bread. Loaves made from those damn acorns it took me one hour of gathering, two weeks of cracking, five hours of leaching, and 28 hours of dehydrating, as explained in my recent article, “Back off squirrel, these…

AUGUSTA — The Maine CDC has announced, Dec. 3, an additional two COVID-19 deaths in the state, bringing the state’s COVID-19 death toll to 220.

Below is a table of all the COVID-19 cases in Maine resulting in deaths. Some information has not been provided by the Maine CDC. 

AUGUSTA — The Maine CDC has updated its list, Dec. 3, of COVID-19 cases in the state of Maine.

Each morning, the Maine CDC updates its COVID-19 data on its website with the latest coronavirus numbers from across the state.

The below data represents the number of full-time Maine residents who have been tested for COVID-19,…

AUGUSTA — The Maine CDC has announced, Dec. 2, an additional four COVID-19 deaths in the state, bringing the state’s COVID-19 death toll to 218.

Below is a table of all the COVID-19 cases in Maine resulting in deaths. Some information has not been provided by the Maine CDC. 

AUGUSTA — The Maine CDC has updated its list, Dec. 2, of COVID-19 cases in the state of Maine.

Each morning, the Maine CDC updates its COVID-19 data on its website with the latest coronavirus numbers from across the state.

The below data represents the number of full-time Maine residents who have been tested for COVID-19,…

Consistent with U.S. and Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines, Governor Janet Mills said Dec. 1 that she is quarantining following an exposure to an individual believed likely to have COVID-19.

Beginning today, the Governor is quarantining at the Blaine House, the Governor’s residence. In line with current CDC guidelines, she will quarantine through December 12, 2020. The Governor feels well, is not symptomatic, and will continue to…

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has awarded the State of Maine $3,353,905 to purchase personal protective equipment (PPE) during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a news release. 

The Maine Department of Administrative and Financial Services received $1,857,375.38 in federal funding to purchase Level 2 Isolation Suits, important PPE to protect essential workers against the spread of COVID-19.

The Maine…

AUGUSTA — Governor Janet Mills and Health and Human Services Commissioner Jeanne Lambrew announced a grant program to support health care organizations that serve residents with MaineCare and sustain vital health services during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Backed by $30 million in Federal CARES Act Coronavirus Relief Funds (CRF), the Maine Health Care Financial Relief Program is a new opportunity modeled on the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development’s (DECD) Maine Economic…

AUGUSTA — The Maine CDC has announced, Dec. 1, an additional 20 COVID-19 deaths in the state, bringing the state’s COVID-19 death toll to 214.

Deaths announced today occurred in Androscoggin (10), Kennebec (one), Knox (one), Oxford (one), Penobscot (three), Piscataquis (one), Washington (one) and York (two). 

Below is a table of all the COVID-19 cases in Maine resulting in deaths. Some information has not been provided by the Maine CDC. 

AUGUSTA — The Maine CDC has updated its list, Dec. 1, of COVID-19 cases in the state of Maine.

Each morning, the Maine CDC updates its COVID-19 data on its website with the latest coronavirus numbers from across the state.

The below data represents the number of full-time Maine residents who have been tested for COVID-19,…

APPLETON—Maine Cater, a recruitment company dedicated to serving New England’s food and beverage industry, has come up with an idea to provide local “restaurateurs, employers, job seekers, and FOH/BOH” with an economic lifeline during a pandemic that shows no signs of stopping.

Husband-and-wife team, Daryle and Orianna Degen launched  Maine Cater in Camden in 2017 as a way to supply temporary employees to restaurants suffering from immediate gaps in employment.

“We’ve both…

AUGUSTA — Governor Janet Mills announced Monday an economic recovery grant program to support Maine’s tourism, hospitality, and retail small businesses, according to a news release. 

Backed by $40 million in Federal CARES Act Coronavirus Relief Funds (CRF), the Tourism, Hospitality & Retail Recovery Grant Program is focused specifically on supporting Maine’s service sector small businesses, such as restaurants, bars, tasting rooms, lodging and retail shops, which have been hard…

AUGUSTA — Thirty-four schools and school districts serving students in the Midcoast were provided COVID-19 grants this fall through the Maine Department of Education’s Safe Return to Instruction financial aid program. 

The program was created to assist Maine schools in providing safe and healthy returns to in-person instruction for the 2020-2021 school year. 

Eligible schools and school districts were required to develop three different instructional plans (remote, hybrid,…

THORNDIKE — The Mount View Chamber Singers, a 20 member ensemble of students from Mount View High School, announced Sunday on its Facebook page its 2020 Carols in the Round season has been canceled amid the pandemic. 

The 2020 season was slated to be 30th annual edition of the Carols in the Round series. 

“We are still hoping to post some recordings of us singing Carols…

AUGUSTA — The Maine CDC has announced, Nov. 30, an additional three COVID-19 deaths in the state, bringing the state’s COVID-19 death toll to 194.

Below is a table of all the COVID-19 cases in Maine resulting in deaths. Some information has not been provided by the Maine CDC. 

AUGUSTA — The Maine CDC has updated its list, Nov. 30, of COVID-19 cases in the state of Maine.

Each morning, the Maine CDC updates its COVID-19 data on its website with the latest coronavirus numbers from across the state.

The below data represents the number of full-time Maine residents who have been tested for COVID-19,…

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Internal Revenue Service reminds taxpayers of a special new provision that will allow more people to easily deduct up to $300 in donations to qualifying charities this year.

Following special tax law changes made earlier this year, cash donations of up to $300 made before Dec. 31 are now deductible when people file their taxes in 2021.

“Our nation’s charities are struggling to help those suffering from COVID-19, and many deserving organizations can use…

AUGUSTA — The Maine CDC has updated its list, Nov. 29, of COVID-19 cases in the state of Maine.

Each morning, the Maine CDC updates its COVID-19 data on its website with the latest coronavirus numbers from across the state.

The below data represents the number of full-time Maine residents who have been tested for COVID-19,…

AUGUSTA — The Maine CDC has announced, Nov. 28, an additional COVID-19 death in the state, bringing the state’s COVID-19 death toll to 191.

Below is a table of all the COVID-19 cases in Maine resulting in deaths. Some information has not been provided by the Maine CDC. 

AUGUSTA — The Maine CDC has updated its list, Nov. 28, of COVID-19 cases in the state of Maine — sort of. 

Each morning, the Maine CDC updates its COVID-19 data on its website with the latest coronavirus numbers from across the state.

However, due to the Thanksgiving holiday, not all information was not updated. 

One data…

AUGUSTA — The Maine CDC has updated its list, Nov. 27, of COVID-19 cases in the state of Maine — sort of. 

Each morning, the Maine CDC updates its COVID-19 data on its website with the latest coronavirus numbers from across the state.

However, due to the Thanksgiving holiday, most information was not updated. 

The lone…