The number of students and school staff infected by the virus has increased 75% in two weeks, according to state data.
Health
Posted inHealth, Local & State, News, Politics
Committee votes down moratorium on COVID-19 vaccine mandates
The Legislature’s Health and Human Services Committee votes 7-5 against a bill that originally aimed to prohibit COVID-19 vaccination mandates for five years.
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Posted inHealth, Local & State, News
More National Guard members arrive to help Maine hospitals handle omicron surge
A total of 169 Guard members have been dispatched to health care facilities this week to help blunt the variant’s impact on the state’s health care system.
Posted inHealth, Local & State, News
Maine shattered its annual record for overdose deaths in 2021
The 636 deaths, a 23% increase over 2020, are largely the result of fentanyl being added to other drugs. Increased isolation and other pandemic challenges also were factors.
Posted inHealth, Local & State, News
Maine CDC overwhelmed by backlog of 46,000 positive COVID-19 tests
The omicron variant has created a flood of positive tests in the past two weeks and the state has been unable to keep up with the screening process, which means the daily numbers have dramatically undercounted the infection rate.
Posted inHealth, Nation & World
U.S. to distribute 400 million N95 masks starting next week
The highly protective face coverings will be available for pickup at pharmacies and community health centers across the country.
Posted inBusiness, Health, Local & State, News
66,000 Mainers enroll in first year of state health insurance marketplace
More than 80% of them are receiving financial assistance.
Posted inHealth, Nation & World, News
White House soft-launches COVID-19 test request website
People can order four at-home tests per residential address on the site, which will officially launch Wednesday.
Posted inHealth, Local & State, News
Dramatic rise in positive COVID test results reveals intensity of omicron surge in Maine
The number of positive tests reported to the state each day has roughly tripled over the past month, further overwhelming the state’s ability to determine which are confirmed new cases and which are followup tests.
Posted inHealth, Nation & World, News
Israel study shows 4th vaccine has limited results with omicron
The preliminary results raise questions about Israel’s decision to offer a second booster shot to its over-60 population.