For the first time in a year, families can visit loved ones and have some form of physical contact, provided the resident has been vaccinated and visitors adhere to protocols including masking and physical distancing.
Health
Androscoggin County ranks second-to-last for COVID-19 vaccination rates in Maine
Maine CDC is working on getting more vaccine sites in Lewiston and Western Maine, which are considered underserved areas.
Nursing home residents can have hugs again, federal health officials say
While hugs are OK again for residents who have completed their vaccination, precautions such as wearing masks and using hand sanitizer remain as a counterbalance to risk. Maine is now considering the new federal guidance.
Health panel expands lung cancer screening for more smokers
Anyone between ages 50 and 80 who has smoked at least 20 ‘pack-years’ and either still smokes or quit within the last 15 years qualifies for a yearly scan.
Arkansas governor signs near-total abortion ban into law
An abortion will only be allowed if it’s to save the life of the mother.
Sen. King asks for more information on COVID-19 variants
In a letter to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, King and a colleague said the spread of variants throughout the U.S. is cause for concern and greater monitoring.
Fully vaccinated people can gather indoors without masks, says new CDC guidance
The long-awaited guidance from federal health officials also says that vaccinated people can visit healthy children and grandchildren.
Workers worry about safety, stress as states ease mask rules
Many essential workers are still not eligible to get a vaccine in states lifting mandates.
Nursing home gains threatened by lack of vaccine, unvaccinated workers
As COVID-19 cases ebb and long-term care facilities resume in-person visits, concern is growing that these are precarious gains without continued vaccine allocations and fully inoculated staffs.
State schedules dedicated vaccine clinics for school staff 60 and older
Each district will notify teachers and staff where they can sign up for their shots at clinics that will take place beginning next Friday.