There is some good news, however: The nation’s daily caseload has slowed dramatically from early August and vaccination rates are up.
Health
Gov. Mills to increase Medicaid payments for residential treatment of substance use disorder
Tuesday’s announcement came on International Overdose Awareness Day. The state lost a record 502 people to drug overdoses last year, and the numbers so far this year suggest that will be eclipsed.
Virus transmission increases as Maine reports 475 new cases over 3 days
Ten of Maine’s 16 counties reported high transmission rates over the last 7 days, with some of the highest figures in counties with low vaccination rates.
Back-to-school season amid the delta variant’s rise prompts concern among doctors
Some pediatricians are seeing a confluence of viruses all at once in children.
With health care systems stretched thin, physicians reframe the debate over vaccines
Doctors address protection and support for medical community and why vaccinations are key to that.
Patient says some MaineGeneral staff threatened to not treat her for asking if they were vaccinated
MaineGeneral spokesperson Joy McKenna said nothing prohibits patients from asking about staff members’ vaccination status and the hospital would not refuse treatment for such queries.
Agencies that care for vulnerable and older Mainers seek delay in vaccination mandate
Representatives from groups providing home health and other services sent a letter Thursday to Gov. Mills asking for a 45-day extension of the Oct. 1 deadline.
Number of ICU patients in Maine hospitals jumps, tying pandemic’s all-time high
This latest surge, driven largely by unvaccinated Mainers infected with the delta variant, is straining the state’s hospital system.
Breakthrough cases and hospitalizations aren’t cause for alarm, experts say
More vaccinated people are being hospitalized, but many have underlying health problems, and the overwhelming majority of COVID patients have not been vaccinated.
Philanthropist Donald Sussman donates $2 million to Blue Hill hospital
The money will help fund a new hospital, which will have a full-service emergency department, laboratory, imaging, rehabilitation services and primary and select specialty care as well as individual patient rooms.