Local Coronavirus COVID-19 Resource Center

AUGUSTA — Governor Janet Mills announced Friday through a news release a series of steps her Administration is taking to assist and support school systems across Maine as they consider whether and how to return to in-classroom instruction this fall. Each of these actions aims to provide essential support to promote a safe return for children, teachers, and school staff.

To that end, the Governor announced Friday the Maine Department of Education, in close partnership with the Maine…

AUGUSTA — The Mills Administration announced Friday it will invest more than $8 million from the federal Coronavirus Relief Fund to further boost access to child care and support Maine's working families in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Maine Department of Health and Human Services will provide an additional $8.4 million to more than 1,700 Maine child care providers for the extra costs and challenges of operating during the pandemic.

“Maine's working families are…

The Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority (NNEPRA) announced July 14 that the Amtrak Downeaster will begin operating four round-trip trains between Brunswick and Boston every day beginning on Monday, July 20, 2020 as it enters Phase 2 of service restoration. 

Other Phase 2 service elements include the availability of onboard food service and the re-opening of some Downeaster station facilities. Visit …

AUGUSTA — The Maine CDC has announced, July 17, an additional COVID-19 death in the state, bringing the state’s COVID-19 death toll to 115. 

The individual was a resident of Penobscot County. 

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, July 17, of COVID-19 cases in the state of Maine.

There have been more than 3,500 confirmed and probable cases of COVID-19 across the state since outbreak began in March. 

A confirmed case means an individual received a positive PCR test result from any approved lab. Probable cases occur when an individual has been in close contact with a positive individual and is symptomatic or an individual has a positive serology test and is…

CAMDEN — After securing Select Board endorsement for the idea of creating outdoor vendor space at the Tannery Park on Washington Street, in Camden, town staff members are now surveying businesses for interest in participating in “Pop-Up Camden.”

The goal is to provide space for merchants to sell wares outdoors. Pop- Up Camden is to be on Fridays, from 11 a.m to 4 p.m., and the town hopes to launch the first Friday as soon as possible.

“We want to start right away (this Friday)…

AUGUSTA — The Maine CDC has updated its list, July 16, of COVID-19 cases in the state of Maine.

There have been more than 3,500 confirmed and probable cases of COVID-19 across the state since outbreak began in March. 

A confirmed case means an individual received a positive PCR test result from any approved lab. Probable cases occur when an individual has been in close contact with a positive individual and is symptomatic or an individual has a positive serology test and is…

AUGUSTA — For the week ending July 11, the Maine Department of Labor recorded about 4,600 initial claims filed for state unemployment insurance, and 3,400 initial claims filed for federal Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA). These claims represent about 4,400 individuals filing an initial claim.

While there is always a slight uptick in unemployment claims filed in early July due to temporary mill and factory shutdowns, because of widespread fraud attacks on unemployment insurance…

AUGUSTA — The Maine Department of Labor has extended the date when unemployed Mainers who are permanently separated from their employer must start searching for work to August 9.

Under Maine law, all unemployment claimants are required to show that they are actively seeking work in order to receive benefits. This requirement had been temporarily waived at the start of the pandemic.

Starting with the weekly certification for the week of Aug. 9, all claimants will need to either…

AUGUSTA — Governor Janet Mills announced Wednesday her Economic Recovery Committee has delivered to her its immediate recommendations to stabilize and support Maine’s economy through the unprecedented disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Among the top recommendations from the Economic Recovery Committee are support for Maine workers and families disproportionately affected by the pandemic, ensuring the safe operation of child care and in-person instruction in Maine schools,…

ROCKLAND — Usually the “fit out” season to get boats ready for sailing goes from March through late May with a Memorial Day start to the season for the Maine Windjammer Association, the largest fleet of working windjammers in America.

This year, it’s taken until mid-July for boats to start sailing, but the hurdles to start the season have gone well beyond fit-out.

The COVID-19 pandemic put a halt, according to a news release, until July 1 when Governor Janet Mills allowed…

AUGUSTA — The Maine CDC has updated its list, July 15, of COVID-19 cases in the state of Maine.

There have been more than 3,500 confirmed and probable cases of COVID-19 across the state since outbreak began in March. 

A confirmed case means an individual received a positive PCR test result from any approved lab. Probable cases occur when an individual has been in close contact with a positive individual and is symptomatic or an individual has a positive serology test and is…

AUGUSTA — The Mills Administration announced Tuesday seven health care organizations will collectively launch nearly 20 “swab and send” COVID-19 test collection sites that will send samples to the Maine State Lab for testing, strengthening access to safe and accessible testing for residents, tourists, seasonal workers, and other visitors to Maine.

The 18 drive-through, drive up, and mobile specimen collection sites, under agreements with the Maine Department of Health and Human…

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Internal Revenue Service is reminding taxpayers they have until the postponed due date of July 15 to file an extension for their 2019 federal tax return.

The extension gives taxpayers until Oct. 15 to file, but taxes owed are due by July 15.

The July 15 due date generally applies to all taxpayers who have an income tax filing or payment deadline falling on or after April 1 and before July 15.

Taxpayers and tax professionals should continue to…

AUGUSTA — The Maine CDC has updated its list, July 14, of COVID-19 cases in the state of Maine.

There have been more than 3,500 confirmed and probable cases of COVID-19 across the state since outbreak began in March. 

A confirmed case means an individual received a positive PCR test result from any approved lab. Probable cases occur when an individual has been in close contact with a positive individual and is symptomatic or an individual has a positive serology test and is…

AUGUSTA — The Maine CDC has updated its list, July 13, of COVID-19 cases in the state of Maine.

There have been more than 3,500 confirmed and probable cases of COVID-19 across the state since outbreak began in March. 

A confirmed case means an individual received a positive PCR test result from any approved lab. Probable cases occur when an individual has been in close contact with a positive individual and is symptomatic or an individual has a positive serology test and is…

AUGUSTA — The Maine CDC has announced, July 12, an additional two COVID-19 deaths in the state, bringing the state’s COVID-19 death toll to 114. 

One individual was a resident of Cumberland County and another of Penobscot County. 

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, July 12, of COVID-19 cases in the state of Maine.

There have been more than 3,500 confirmed and probable cases of COVID-19 across the state since outbreak began in March. 

A confirmed case means an individual received a positive PCR test result from any approved lab. Probable cases occur when an individual has been in close contact with a positive individual and is symptomatic or an individual has a positive serology test and is…

Our first two galleries of reader-submitted photos has overflowed, and we thank each of you for your contributions.

From abnormally barren Main Streets to the Midcoast’s breathtaking sceneries, our first two galleries captured the essence of these trying times. 

We have created Gallery III, as we continue to chronicle Life in Maine During a Pandemic, an important endeavor amid these strange times. 

With businesses mostly reopened, to some degree, we would live to see…

AUGUSTA — The Maine CDC has announced, July 11, an additional COVID-19 death in the state, bringing the state’s COVID-19 death toll to 112. 

The individual was a resident of Cumberland County. Further information was not available. 

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, July 11, of COVID-19 cases in the state of Maine.

There have been more than 3,500 confirmed and probable cases of COVID-19 across the state since outbreak began in March. 

A confirmed case means an individual received a positive PCR test result from any approved lab. Probable cases occur when an individual has been in close contact with a positive individual and is symptomatic or an individual has a positive serology test and is…

MIDCOAST — Charles Darwin had it right when in The Origin of Species he said: “It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent that survives. It is the one that is most adaptable to change.”

As Maine enters mid-summer during a pandemic that has changed how businesses operate in absolutely every way, four Midcoast businesses have pivoted toward a new model of business—doing what they do best—in order to reach more customers.

…

AUGUSTA — In accordance with the recent extension through August 6 of the state’s Civil Emergency due to COVID-19, the Department of Labor is further waiving the work search requirement for Maine people receiving unemployment benefits.

The work search waiver for workers temporarily laid off from their jobs, and who expect to return to them, now runs through September 5, per a news release.

This waiver was granted by emergency legislation on March 17 and extended the work search…

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

There have been more than 3,400 confirmed and probable cases of COVID-19 across the state since outbreak began in March. 

A confirmed case means an individual received a positive PCR test result from any approved lab. Probable cases occur when an individual has been in close contact with a positive individual and is symptomatic or an individual has a positive serology test and is…

AUGUSTA — Maine Community Foundation (MaineCF) is partnering with the Maine Department of Education to ensure that adult learners have the technology they need to continue their studies, according to a news release.

“Adult education programs are vitally important and are successful because they provide adult learners with a more flexible schedule to fulfill their education needs anytime during the year,” said Maine Education Commissioner Pender Makin. “The need for these devices to…

AUGUSTA — During the week ending July 4, the Maine Department of Labor canceled about 400 initial claims and 2,400 weekly certifications that were determined to be fraudulent, per a news release. 

In total, between the week ending May 30 through week ending July 4, the Department has cancelled roughly 25,000 initial claims and 46,400 weekly certifications that were determined to be fraudulent.

To date, the Department has received over 27,000 reports of unemployment imposter…

AUGUSTA — For the week ending July 4, the Maine Department of Labor recorded about 2,800 initial claims filed for state unemployment insurance, and 2,300 initial claims filed for federal Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA), according to a news release. These claims represent about 2,800 individuals filing an initial claim.

About 62,600 weekly certifications, or continued claims, were filed last week for state unemployment.

In addition, about 24,700 weekly certifications were…

AUGUSTA — The Maine CDC has announced, July 9, an additional COVID-19 death in the state, bringing the state’s COVID-19 death toll to 111. 

The individual, a woman in her 80s, was a resident of Penobscot County. 

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, July 9, of COVID-19 cases in the state of Maine.

There have been more than 3,400 confirmed and probable cases of COVID-19 across the state since outbreak began in March. 

A confirmed case means an individual received a positive PCR test result from any approved lab. Probable cases occur when an individual has been in close contact with a positive individual and is symptomatic or an individual has a positive serology test and is either…

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Small Business Administration, in consultation with the U.S. Treasury Department, released detailed information about Paycheck Protection Loan (PPP) recipients. 

The Paycheck Protection Program is a loan designed to provide a direct incentive for small…

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Small Business Administration, in consultation with the Treasury Department, has released detailed information about Paycheck Protection Loan (PPP) recipients. 

The Paycheck Protection Program is a loan designed to provide a direct incentive for small businesses to keep their workers on the payroll. This loan provides small businesses, including eligible self-employed individuals, with funds to cover payroll costs including benefits, utilities, mortgage…

AUGUSTA — Governor Janet Mills issued Wednesday an Executive Order requiring large retail businesses, restaurants, outdoor bars, tasting rooms, and lodging establishments in Maine’s more populous cities and coastal counties to enforce the State’s face covering requirement.

The new Executive Order strengthens the enforcement component of the Governor’s face covering requirement. The Executive Order comes as Maine continues to reopen its economy and welcome visitors from other states.…

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Small Business Administration, in consultation with the U.S. Treasury Department, released detailed information about Paycheck Protection Loan (PPP) recipients. 

The Paycheck Protection Program is a loan designed to provide a direct incentive for small…

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Small Business Administration, in consultation with the Treasury Department, has released detailed information about Paycheck Protection Loan (PPP) recipients. 

The Paycheck Protection Program is a loan designed to provide a direct incentive for small businesses to keep their workers on the payroll. This loan provides small businesses, including eligible self-employed individuals, with funds to cover payroll costs including benefits, utilities, mortgage…

WASHINGTON, D.C. — $1.6 million has been awarded to support the redevelopment and revitalization of small businesses in Maine that have suffered financial harm as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, per a news release. 

This funding, awarded through the Economic Development Administration’s CARES Act Recovery Assistance Program, will support Androscoggin, Kennebec, Somerset, Waldo, Aroostook, Washington, Penobscot, Oxford, Cumberland, and York counties.

This funding will assist…

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

There have been more than 3,400 confirmed and probable cases of COVID-19 across the state since outbreak began in March. 

A confirmed case means an individual received a positive PCR test result from any approved lab. Probable cases occur when an individual has been in close contact with a positive individual and is symptomatic or an individual has a positive serology test and is either…

(July 14, 2020) Following the Rockland City Council meeting, July 13, Winter and Myrtle streets are now approved for partial street closures through October 31.

Winter Street’s closure is approved to take affect immediately. The Strand, CMCA, and Dowling Walsh all expressed their approval of the temporary closure.

The Myrtle Street Tavern has requested to postpone the closure until Friday, July 31, which is the first day they’ll be open for business. Service hours on…

AUGUSTA — The Maine CDC has announced, July 7, an additional COVID-19 death in the state, bringing the state’s COVID-19 death toll to 110. 

The individual was a resident of Cumberland County. 

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, July 7, of COVID-19 cases in the state of Maine.

There have been more than 3,400 confirmed and probable cases of COVID-19 across the state since outbreak began in March. 

A confirmed case means an individual received a positive PCR test result from any approved lab. Probable cases occur when an individual has been in close contact with a positive individual and is symptomatic or an individual has a positive serology test and is either…

ROCKLAND – Following two amendments to a proposed ordinance requiring face coverings in public places, Rockland City Council voted unanimously, July 6, to require all pedestrians, visitors, guests, and employees of the Downtown Zone to wear face coverings while outside in that Zone.

This ordinance takes effect immediately.

Similar ordinances enacted in Rockland already require masks to be worn inside buildings accessed by the public, though not in back rooms and private offices…

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Maine Department of Health and Human Services has been awarded $1,122,202 to support their ongoing efforts to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a news release. 

This funding, awarded through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Hospital Preparedness Program, will support hospitals and other health care providers to train their workforce; expand telemedicine and the use of virtual health care; procure supplies and equipment; and coordinate…

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

There have been more than 3,400 confirmed and probable cases of COVID-19 across the state since outbreak began in March. 

A confirmed case means an individual received a positive PCR test result from any approved lab. Probable cases occur when an individual has been in close contact with a positive individual and is symptomatic or an individual has a positive serology test and is either…

AUGUSTA — The Maine CDC has announced, July 5, an additional two COVID-19 deaths in the state, bringing the state’s COVID-19 death toll to 109. 

Both individuals were residents of Cumberland County. 

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, July 5, of COVID-19 cases in the state of Maine.

There have been more than 3,400 confirmed and probable cases of COVID-19 across the state since outbreak began in March. 

A confirmed case means an individual received a positive PCR test result from any approved lab. Probable cases occur when an individual has been in close contact with a positive individual and is symptomatic or an individual has a positive serology test and is either…

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Legislation to extend the deadline for businesses to apply for Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans was signed into law Saturday by President Donald Trump, according to a news release.

The legislation extends the U.S. Small Business Administration’s authority to approve PPP loans through Aug. 8.

Previously, small businesses had until June 30 to apply for a PPP loan.

Approximately $130 billion in PPP funding remains available to assist small…

AUGUSTA — The Maine CDC has announced, July 4, an additional COVID-19 death in the state, bringing the state’s COVID-19 death toll to 107. 

Both individuals were residents of Cumberland County. One individual was a woman in her 60s and one was a man in his 80s. 

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, July 4, of COVID-19 cases in the state of Maine.

There have been more than 3,300 confirmed and probable cases of COVID-19 across the state since outbreak began in March. 

A confirmed case means an individual received a positive PCR test result from any approved lab. Probable cases occur when an individual has been in close contact with a positive individual and is symptomatic or an individual has a positive serology test and is either…

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

There have been more than 3,300 confirmed and probable cases of COVID-19 across the state since outbreak began in March. 

A confirmed case means an individual received a positive PCR test result from any approved lab. Probable cases occur when an individual has been in close contact with a positive individual and is symptomatic or an individual has a positive serology test and is either…

The following letter was distributed to parents in the RSU 13 school district July 2: 

Dear Families of Our RSU 13 Community:

I am writing to update you all on our planning process for the reopening of schools in the Fall, and to offer you an opportunity to participate in the planning process by participating in a survey. This is designed to give you a voice in our thoughtful consideration of the reopening of schools, and hopefully give us some insight into your ideas…

AUGUSTA — The Maine Department of Education continues to work with educators and health experts from across the State to develop health markers and corresponding plans to ensure the safe return to classroom instruction, according to a news release.

As this work develops, the Department is seeking input from additional stakeholders from across the State, and will release a survey July 6.

In June, the Department of Education released the first draft of a framework to assist…

Georges River Land Trust has submitted the following:

As with all the Georges River Land Trust preserves, the outdoor Langlais Sculpture Preserve in Cushing at 576 River Road is open to the public dawn to dusk. The woodlands, sculptures gardens and shoreline are delightful to explore across the 30+ acres accessible to the public, including the 1/4 mile all accessible trail that winds around the outdoor sculptures.

The Langlais Barn and Studio will also be open Saturday…

Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King and Representatives Chellie Pingree and Jared Golden announced Thursday Maine Farmers Exchange, a Presque Isle distribution company, was awarded $2,142,080 million to participate in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Farmers to Families Food Box Program.

This funding builds on the $1.35 million that was awarded to Native Maine Produce & Specialty Foods, a Westbrook distribution company, to also participate in…

AUGUSTA — The average age of individuals in Maine testing positive for COVID-19 has fallen since the beginning of the pandemic, according to Maine CDC Director Dr. Nirav Shah. 

At the outset of the pandemic, the mean age was 55.2 years old while the median age was 56.7 years old. 

Those figures have now fallen to 46.9 years old for the mean and 47.2 years old for the median. 

“This shift was expected as younger individuals resume economic and social activity,” Shah…

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

There have been more than 3,300 confirmed and probable cases of COVID-19 across the state since outbreak began in March. 

A confirmed case means an individual received a positive PCR test result from any approved lab. Probable cases occur when an individual has been in close contact with a positive individual and is symptomatic or an individual has a positive serology test and is either…