Local Coronavirus COVID-19 Resource Center

AUGUSTA — The Maine Department of Labor is continuing to work with its state and federal law enforcement partners to investigate criminal unemployment imposter fraud, according to a news release.

During the week ending June 27, the Maine Department of Labor canceled about 720 initial claims and 3,000 weekly certifications suspected of being fraudulent.

“Between week ending May 30 through week ending June 27, the Department has cancelled roughly 24,600 initial claims and 44,000…

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Eight Maine arts organizations, including one in Camden and one in Rockport, will receive grants totaling $400,000 from the National Endowment for the Arts, according to a news release.

The grants were funded through the CARES Act and will support staff salaries, fees for artists or contracted personnel, and facilities costs. 

Each of the following organizations were awarded a grant of $50,000:

Portland Symphony Orchestra 
Portland Ovations
…

AUGUSTA — Governor Janet Mills announced Wednesday intentions to sign an Executive Order requiring Maine’s large retail stores, lodging establishments, restaurants, and outdoor bars and tasting rooms in the coastal counties of Hancock, Waldo, Knox, Lincoln, Sagadahoc, Cumberland, and York, and in the more populous cities of Bangor and Brewer and Lewiston and Auburn, to enforce the State’s face covering mandate.

The move comes as states across the country in the last week, such as…

Chancellor Dannel Malloy, Maine’s public university presidents, and the dean of Maine Law have adopted a set of “unifying safe return and learning principles” that will be used in campus-specific plans to bring students, faculty, and staff back to campus for face-to-face instruction starting on Aug. 31, the beginning of the fall 2020 semester, according to a July 1 news release.

The release of…

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

There have been more than 3,200 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…

Carver Memorial Library has submitted the following:

Carver Memorial Library in Searsport is very happy to announce that we will begin limited reopening on Monday, July 6. We will continue offering curbside, with a few adjustments (see below).

Your health and safety are our top priority. With many older and vulnerable people in our community, we must all do our part to keep everyone safe. All visitors and staff are required to wear face coverings while in the…

AUGUSTA — Mainers receiving unemployment benefits are now eligible to receive 13 additional weeks of payments, if they exhaust their initial 26-week benefit period, per a news release.

This expansion of support is through the third and final new federal unemployment insurance program, Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation or PEUC, which the Maine Department of Labor implemented Wednesday.

Those who had already exhausted their benefits and were waiting for PEUC to be…

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Maine farmers have been awarded a total of $7.75 million thus far to help offset the financial harm they have experienced due to COVID-19, according to a June 30 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…

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

There have been more than 3,200 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…

The Kennebec Valley Council of Governments (KVCOG) has announced the federal investment of $400,000, over two years, to support KVCOG’s work to help the communities within its region respond to, and recover from, the COVID-19 pandemic. These funds, distributed by the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA), have been made available through the recent CARES Act, and will advance economic development in the communities which have been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic,…

Cushing Public Library has submitted the following:

It’s been very quiet here on Cross Road for the past months, and Board and volunteers of the Cushing Public Library are delighted to welcome patrons back to a re-opened Library as of July 1. The schedule will be Mondays, 10 a.m. - noon; Wednesdays, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.; and Fridays, 10 a.m. – noon.  Saturday hours will resume at a later date.

In accordance with Maine CDC and Maine State Library guidelines, the library has…

WASHINGTON, D.C. ― The Department of the Treasury and IRS announced Monday the tax filing and payment deadline of July 15 will not be postponed.

Individual taxpayers unable to meet the July 15 due date, however, can request an automatic extension of time to file until Oct. 15.

Due to COVID-19, the original filing deadline and tax payment due date for 2019 was postponed from April 15 to July 15.

The IRS reminds taxpayers filing Form 1040 series returns that they must…

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Eastern Maine Development Corporation has been awarded $400,000 to support the redevelopment and revitalization of small businesses in Penobscot, Piscataquis, Waldo, and Hancock counties that have suffered financial harm as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

This funding was awarded through the Economic Development Administration’s CARES Act Recovery Assistance Program. 

AUGUSTA — The Maine CDC has announced, June 29, an additional COVID-19 death in the state, bringing the state’s COVID-19 death toll to 105. 

The individual was a female resident of Kennebec 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, June 29, of COVID-19 cases in the state of Maine.

There have been more than 3,000 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…

I don’t like wearing a mask. It was fun when I was playing cowboy, a long time ago.  I wore masks when my Uncle Sam was paying me : masks for gas, masks for smoke, masks for diving, masks for oxygen. Today I wear one when sanding and scraping boats, sometimes for pay, sometimes not. In the winter I wear one because there are things that I do like ski, sail, snowmobile, and skate that I like to do more than I dislike wearing a mask. Now I wear one in…

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

Today, there are 3,191 confirmed and probable COVID-19 cases across the state, including 2,838 confirmed cases and 353 probable cases. 

Across the state, 2,577 people have recovered from COVID-19, while 104 people have died. 

The number of people hospitalized, at some point during their illness, across the state stands at 346.

Looking at hospital COVID-19 data, there are…

The following is a transcript of a Friday, June 26 radio address given by Governor Janet Mills: 

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and our gradual reopening process, the Maine CDC has been monitoring epidemiological data, like case trends and hospitalization rates as well as health care readiness and capacity, to inform all of our decisions on lifting restrictions and stimulating our economy.

We look at these metrics every day. We look at them in their totality and we…

AUGUSTA — The Maine CDC has announced, June 27, an additional COVID-19 death in the state, bringing the state’s COVID-19 death toll to 104. 

The individual was a resident of Cumberland County and is Cumberland’s 60th death. 

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, June 27, of COVID-19 cases in the state of Maine.

Today, there are 3,154 confirmed and probable COVID-19 cases across the state, including 2,809 confirmed cases and 345 probable cases. 

Across the state, 2,566 people have recovered from COVID-19, while 104 people have died. 

The number of people hospitalized, at some point during their illness, across the state stands at 345.

Looking at hospital COVID-19 data, there are…

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) issued the following notice June 26: 

As the 2019 tax filing and payment deadline approaches, the IRS reminds taxpayers and businesses that 2019 income tax liabilities as well as postponed April 15 and June 15, 2020 estimated tax payments are due July 15, 2020.

This postponement provided temporary tax relief in response to the COVID 19 pandemic.

Taxpayers who owe a 2019 income tax liability, as well as estimated tax for 2020,…

AUGUSTA — Governor Janet Mills announced Friday her Administration has approved almost $9 million in grant awards to nearly 100 municipalities across the state under the Keep Maine Healthy Plan to support local COVID-19 public health, education, and prevention efforts.

Following the announcement of the Keep Maine Healthy Plan earlier this…

AUGUSTA — The Maine CDC has updated its list, June 26, of COVID-19 cases in the state of Maine.

Today, there are 3,102 confirmed and probable COVID-19 cases across the state, including 2,758 confirmed cases and 344 probable cases. 

Across the state, 2,542 people have recovered from COVID-19, while 103 people have died.

The number of people hospitalized, at some point during their illness, across the state stands at 344.

Looking at hospital COVID-19 data, there are…

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, better known as the U.S. CDC, has quietly added three new potential COVID-19 symptoms, which brings the total number of possible COVID-19 symptoms to nine. 

Congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, and diarrhea were all added to the federal agency’s list that also includes fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste…

AUGUSTA — The Maine Principals’ Association has released guidance on resuming high school athletics in the state amid the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The plan is broken down into four phases: Phase 1 will be July 6-19, Phase 2 will be July 20 to Aug. 2, Phase 3 will be Aug. 3 to Aug. 16 and Phase 4 does not have an official start date. 

Attached to this story is a copy of the full PDF issued by the MPA to schools, courtesy WABI. The document contains an information sheet for athletes…

ROCKPORT—With restaurants continuing to navigate seating challenges during COVID-19, one brick and mortar eatery has the perfect solution to stay operating—and the perfect location.

The Big T Snack Shack food trailer, co-owned by husband-and-wife Mark Senders and Rebecca Neves, was approved by the Rockport Select Board to set up full-time operations in Rockport Harbor this summer and fall.

The couple, who also own the Bagel Cafe in Camden, have operated The Big T Snack Shack at…

AUGUSTA — The Maine CDC has updated its list, June 25, of COVID-19 cases in the state of Maine.

Today, there are 3,070 confirmed and probable COVID-19 cases across the state, including 2,731 confirmed cases and 339 probable cases. 

Across the state, 2,512 people have recovered from COVID-19, while 103 people have died.

The number of people hospitalized, at some point during their illness, across the state stands at 343.

Looking at hospital COVID-19 data, there are…

AUGUSTA — The Maine Department of Labor is continuing to work with its state and federal law enforcement partners to investigate criminal unemployment imposter fraud, per a news release.

During the week ending June 20, the Maine Department of Labor cancelled about 1,900 initial claims and 4,300 weekly certifications suspected of being fraudulent.

This means that between week ending May 30 through week ending June 20, the Department has cancelled roughly 23,900 initial claims…

AUGUSTA — The checklists for businesses falling under Phase 3 of Maine’s reopening plans have been released. 

The following is what indoor entertainment and amusement businesses, such as bowling alleys and arcades, must do to reopen amid the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Phase 3: Indoor Amusement

Indoor entertainment and amusement venues bring people from different households into close contact with each other, potentially for a prolonged period, and have the potential to…

AUGUSTA — The checklists for businesses falling under Phase 3 of Maine’s reopening plans have been released. 

The following is what outdoor entertainment and amusement businesses, such as water and amusement parks, must do to reopen amid the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Phase 3: Outdoor Amusement

Outdoor entertainment and amusement venues bring people from different households into close contact with each other and have the potential to increase COVID-19 transmission. The…

AUGUSTA — The checklists for businesses falling under Phase 3 of Maine’s reopening plans have been released. 

The following is what movie theaters must do to reopen amid the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Phase 3: Movie Theaters

General Guidance

1. Require all staff, vendors, and visitors to maintain 6 feet of physical distance from individuals who are not part of their household group whenever possible.
2. Require all staff, vendors, and visitors to wear a face…

COVID-19 has affected the health of our communities in many ways – including increased food insecurity, according to Coastal Healthcare Alliance, in a news release.

Coastal Healthcare Alliance (CHA), which includes Pen Bay Medical Center, Waldo County General Hospital, physician practices, Quarry Hill, Knox Center and Penobscot Shores, has responded with a $50,000 gift to help with the extra demand local food pantries are seeing due to social distancing policies and the economic…

UNION — The Vose Library is now offering curbside pickup service.

Registered patrons may order books from the Vose Library collection only. A limit of 5 items may be ordered with each patron account number at https://mils.maine.edu, through email at ill@voselibrary.org (please include name, phone, and the title and format of each item), or by calling the library at (207)785-4733.

The library staff is now working limited hours, and available…

Thomaston Public Library has submitted the following:

On Monday, June 29, Thomaston Public Library will be reopening to the public! We are excited to be serving patrons in the building again, but we respectfully request that all of our patrons abide by the new rules and restrictions to maximize the safety of both our staff and our patrons. Curbside pickup service will continue to be available.

AUGUSTA — The Maine CDC has announced, June 24, an additional COVID-19 death in the state, bringing the state’s COVID-19 death toll to 103. 

The individual, a woman in her 90s, was a resident of Cumberland County and is Cumberland’s 59th death. 

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, June 24, of COVID-19 cases in the state of Maine.

Today, there are 3,017 confirmed and probable COVID-19 cases across the state, including 2,680 confirmed cases and 337 probable cases. 

Across the state, 2,490 people have recovered from COVID-19, while 103 people have died.

The number of people hospitalized, at some point during their illness, across the state stands at 339.

Looking at hospital COVID-19 data, there are…

AUGUSTA — The Mills Administration has announced it is dedicating $35 million of Maine’s $1.25 billion in Coronavirus Relief Funding provided through the CARES Act to help local and tribal governments and other qualified entities cover costs incurred as a result of COVID-19.

Under the Disaster Declaration requested by Governor Mills and approved by the President, the Federal Emergency Management Agency traditionally…

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Department of Treasury issued a new rule last night, according to a news release from Senator Susan Collins, specifying small business owners who have received a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan can submit a loan forgiveness application immediately after they have spent the funds.

At a Small Business Committee …

AUGUSTA — The Maine CDC has updated its list, June 23, of COVID-19 cases in the state of Maine.

Today, there are 2,994 confirmed and probable COVID-19 cases across the state, including 2,655 confirmed cases and 339 probable cases. 

Across the state, 2,443 people have recovered from COVID-19, while 102 people have died. The number of people hospitalized, at some point during their illness, across the state stands at 339.

Looking at hospital COVID-19 data, there are currently…

AUGUSTA — The Maine Department of Labor is reminding businesses and employees about important policies and programs to support Maine’s workforce during the unprecedented economic disruption caused by COVID-19.

As the economy gradually restarts, the Department noted in a news release workers can have part-time employment and not lose unemployment benefits in their entirety.

Workers who earn less than $5 over their weekly benefit amount remain eligible for partial unemployment…

BELFAST—Watch out Grubhub, a new food delivery service is in town.

Matt Burke, owner of Sweet Monkey Business, an artisan cookie company and Kate Hall, owner of GRAZE Maine, a producer of microgreens, have teamed up to offer a custom delivery service with their new website Belfast Delivers, which allows customers to shop from more than 20 local farms, food vendors, shops, and…

ROCKLAND – An order requiring face coverings to be worn outdoors in the public areas of Rockland is being redrafted and added to the July 6 agenda-setting meeting of Rockland City Council.

Council had intended to vote on the executive order during a June 22 meeting, held on Zoom and livestreamed. However, some councilors expressed different interpretations of the mask proposal, and others waffled between opposing opinions.

The language of the order presented, is as follows:…

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Maine farmers have been awarded a total of $7.46 million thus far to help offset the financial harm they have experienced due to COVID-19, according to a news release, with the funding provided through the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP), created through the CARES Act. 

In addition to the facilitating the Farmers to Families Food Box program, the CFAP is providing vital financial assistance to producers of agricultural commodities who have suffered a five…

AUGUSTA — The Mills Administration announced Monday it is postponing the reopening of indoor service at bars to protect public health given the higher risk of COVID-19 transmission in such settings.

Under the Administration’s Restarting Maine’s Economy plan, bars across Maine have been able to reopen for outdoor service and were tentatively scheduled to resume indoor service on July 1 as part of Stage 3.

However, given the elevated health risk presented by bars, along with…

AUGUSTA — Governor Janet Mills has called for the USDA to designate maple syrup as an eligible Coronavirus Food Assistance Program specialty crop, according to a June 22 news release.

Doing so will create the pathway for Maine's maple producers to receive needed CFAP payments, per the release.

Maple is currently ineligible for CFAP, and the industry is suffering due to a variety of factors due to COVID-19 including price drops, annual event cancellations, and restaurant…

With the three pillars of safety, equity, and accessibility for all students and staff guiding a framework for reopening RSU 71, The Task Force to Safely Reopen RSU 71 has grounded its work upon the Maine Department of Education’s Framework for Returning to Classroom Instruction.

RSU 71 comprises public schools in Belfast, Belmont, Morrill, Searsmont and Swanville.

The framework is organized into four parts: 

Part I - Physical Health and Safety…

AUGUSTA — After a power outage caused the delay of Maine CDC data for June 22, the Maine CDC has updated its list of COVID-19 cases in the state of Maine.

Today, there are 2,971 confirmed and probable COVID-19 cases across the state, including 2,640 confirmed cases and 331 probable cases. 

Across the state, 2,409 people have recovered from COVID-19, while 102 people have died. The number of people hospitalized, at some point during their illness, across the state stands at…

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King and Representatives Chellie Pingree and Jared Golden announced Monday that Native Maine Produce & Specialty Foods, a Westbrook distribution company, was awarded $1.35 million to participate in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Farmers to Families Food Box Program.  

The Farmers to Families Food Box Program, a…

AUGUSTA — The Maine CDC has updated its list, June 21, of COVID-19 cases in the state of Maine.

Today, there are 2,957 confirmed and probable COVID-19 cases across the state, including 2,629 confirmed cases and 328 probable cases. 

Across the state, 2,391 people have recovered from COVID-19, while 102 people have died. The number of people hospitalized, at some point during their illness, across the state stands at 336.

Looking at hospital COVID-19 data, there are…

WALDOBORO — The Waldoboro Public Library will re-open its doors to public on Monday, June 29.

To keep in accordance with the guidelines from the Maine CDC, the DECD, and the Maine State Library, the library will have new policies in place to minimize the risk of Covid-19 infection. Masks and social distancing will be required, only five people (excluding staff) will be allowed in the building at a time, only one family at a time will be allowed in the children’s wing, and visits will…

AUGUSTA — The Maine CDC has updated its list, June 20, of COVID-19 cases in the state of Maine.

Today, there are 2,938 confirmed and probable COVID-19 cases across the state, including 2,610 confirmed cases and 328 probable cases. 

Across the state, 2,380 people have recovered from COVID-19, while 102 people have died. The number of people hospitalized, at some point during their illness, across the state stands at 333.

Looking at hospital COVID-19 data, there are…

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Mainers are being warned to be on alert for increased cybercrime during the ongoing pandemic as scammers are sending fraudulent emails and text messages, a practice known as “phishing,” to attempt to get victims to divulge personal information or to deliver malware to their personal computers and smartphones, according to a news release. 

Due to a nationwide increase in teleworking during the coronavirus crisis, these phishing attacks are becoming more common.

The following is a transcript of a Friday, June 19 radio address given by Governor Janet Mills. 

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and during our gradual reopening process, the Maine CDC has been monitoring epidemiological data, like case trends and hospitalization rates, health care readiness and capacity, all of these things to inform our decisions on lifting restrictions and revitalizing our economy.

We look at these metrics every day. We look at them in their…