Nationally, new COVID cases averaged around 39,300 a day as of Tuesday – far lower than last winter but a vast undercount because of reduced testing and reporting.
Health
Unlike last two falls, COVID infections decline in Maine
The drop comes as hospitals are packed with RSV patients and facing a difficult influenza season.
New Hampshire Republicans reject funding for adolescent sex education program
The existing program, which is not school-related, would have served nearly 1,000 young people in areas identified as having the highest teen birth rates in the state.
Indiana doctor defends actions in 10-year-old’s abortion
An Indianapolis doctor said during her nearly 90 minutes of testimony that her lawsuit was aimed at protecting the girl’s privacy.
Maine health care nonprofit receives $9 million windfall from billionaire MacKenzie Scott
The Maine Health Access Foundation was the only Maine recipient in the latest round of gifts from the philanthropist, who is giving away much of her fortune.
State’s top health officials encourage Mainers to stock up on at-home COVID tests ahead of holidays
Every Maine household is eligible to receive a free, at-home COVID-19 test kit every month. Each kit contains five rapid tests.
USDA proposes plan to keep COVID-era WIC expansion permanent
The update would add more whole grains, canned fish and non-dairy options to expand healthy food choices for pregnant women and children.
U.S. home births rise during pandemic to highest level in decades
Increases were seen across races and ethnicities, although home births were much less common among Hispanic women than others.
Flu cases and hospitalizations surging to our south, and headed north
Maine is so far seeing low numbers of flu cases this fall, but Mainers shouldn’t expect to dodge the flu for much longer, experts say. ‘Flu is on the way here,’ says Dr. Dora Anne Mills of MaineHealth.
Judge overturns Georgia’s ban on abortion around 6 weeks
The judge rules that the ban was invalid because it violated the U.S. Constitution and U.S. Supreme Court precedent at the time it became law.