The Maine Drinking Water Program is helping coordinate and pay for schools to test all drinking and cooking water fixtures this year.
Rachel Ohm
Staff Writer
Rachel covers state government and politics for the Portland Press Herald. It’s her third beat at the paper after stints covering City Hall and education. Prior to her arrival at the Press Herald in the summer of 2019, Rachel worked at the Morning Sentinel in Waterville, covering Franklin and Somerset counties, and the Knoxville News Sentinel in Knoxville, Tennessee, covering higher education. She has a master’s degree in journalism from New York University and when she’s not writing and reporting enjoys running, cooking and traveling to new places.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Schools and Education
Maine reports 1,390 COVID cases in schools, 52 active outbreaks
The numbers represent a big jump from the 14 outbreaks reported one week ago, but school and state officials say community transmission is driving the spread.
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Posted inLocal & State
Maine COVID hospitalizations rise, with record number of patients in intensive care
The state exceeded 200 COVID-19 patients in hospitals Friday for the first time since mid-January.
Posted inHealth, Local & State, News, Schools and Education
Percentage of vaccinated school staff varies widely across Maine: See your school’s vaccination rate
An average of 76% of school employees in Maine are vaccinated, but individual schools vary widely, new state data shows.
Posted inHealth, Local & State
Record number of COVID patients on ventilators as state can’t keep up with new cases
The number of people breathing with assistance from ventilators reached a pandemic high of 42 on Wednesday and the backlog of positive test results continues to grow.
Posted inHealth, Local & State
Mainers younger than 20 now account for nearly half of state’s new COVID cases
The state reported 319 cases among people under 20 years old, a 3-day total that is the highest for that group in any report during the pandemic.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Schools and Education
Most Maine school districts have yet to start pooled testing for COVID-19
Some districts that have yet to launch pooled testing say they expected a lag between the start of school and the start of testing to allow time to set up and solicit permission from parents.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Schools and Education
Maine gets approval, more funds for COVID-19 relief in schools
The U.S. Department of Education is releasing the last $137 million of American Rescue Plan funds for Maine schools following approval of a state plan for spending the money.
Posted inLocal & State, Schools and Education
COVID-19 quarantines disrupt return to school, with remote options limited
Maine school districts are scrambling all over again to set up technology, remote learning and pooled testing as kids are forced back home.
Posted inLocal & State
Looking back on fateful first day, teacher says, ‘How it affected people is still palpable’
Caroline Patrie was launching a new career as a teacher on the day of the terrorist attacks. The excitement of her first day was replaced with a feeling of chaos and dread.