By this time last year, Maine had recorded 36 deaths and 494 hospitalizations. Experts say COVID-19 safety measures and an aggressive flu vaccine push last fall likely caused the precipitous drop.
Eric Russell
Staff Writer
Eric Russell has been a general assignment reporter at the Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram since 2012 and has been a journalist in Maine since 2004. Because he doesn’t have a specific geographic or topical area to cover, Eric often is free to roam the state in pursuit of the most interesting stories, whether it’s tackling the big topic of the day or chasing ideas that fall just outside the boundaries of everyday news. His favorite assignments are ones where he can leave the office and meet with people in their homes or their workplaces to talk about their struggles and challenges – and sometimes their triumphs. Or to try and answer complicated questions.
Eric grew up in Southern Maine, went to college at the University of Maine and worked in Bangor for eight years before joining the Press Herald. He lives in Brunswick with his wife, a school teacher, and two daughters.
Posted inHealth
Vaccine hesitancy could threaten herd immunity
Although attitudes have shifted, there remains a stubborn block of people in Maine and elsewhere who won’t get vaccinated against COVID-19.
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Posted inHealth, Local & State, News
State looking for explanations as COVID-19 case counts inch higher
Cases and hospitalizations have been creeping up in the last month, raising concerns about another wave of infections before vaccinations can have an impact.
Posted inHealth, Local & State, News
Younger Mainers account for rising number of COVID-19 cases
A modest but steady uptick in cases over the last few weeks appears to be driven in part by Mainers in their 20s and younger.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Maine’s oldest prisoner, Albert Paul, dies at 87
Paul, convicted of murder in 1972, escaped twice from the Maine State Prison, but acknowledged in a 2013 interview that he would no longer be able to make it on the outside. ‘It’s a foreign place,’ he said.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Maine reports 174 new cases in latest sign infections persist as vaccinations ramp up
With case numbers holding steady near 200, Gov. Janet Mills worries that Mainers will let their guard down as spring nears.
Posted inLocal & State
Nearly 1 in 8 Maine residents now fully vaccinated against COVID-19
Meanwhile, the state reported 195 new cases of the virus on Wednesday but no additional deaths.
Posted inLocal & State
Highlights of the ‘Moving Maine Forward’ plan
Maine Gov. Janet Mills announced changes to pandemic restrictions designed to help the economy while still keeping residents and visitors safe.
Posted inBusiness, Health, Local & State, News, Uncategorized
Mills relaxes quarantine rules for visitors, eases business restrictions heading into tourism season
The changes are aimed at drawing summer tourists to Maine as the federal government steps up the supplies of COVID-19 vaccinations nationwide.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Maine reports 225 new virus cases, no additional deaths
Maine expects a decrease in vaccine doses delivered next week, with eligibility newly open to residents in their 60s along with teachers and child care workers.