Health - Centralmaine.com

Virus_Outbreak_Nursing_Home_Testing_86541

11,000 deaths: Ravaged U.S. nursing homes plead for more testing

by BERNARD CONDON, MATT SEDENSKY AND JIM MUSTIAN April 23, 2020April 23, 2020

An industry group says only about a third of the 15,000 nursing homes in the U.S. have ready access to tests that can help isolate the sick and stop the spread.

Health, New England, News

Virus targets immigrant enclave in Massachusetts’ hardest-hit community

by RODRIQUE NGOWI and ALANNA DURKIN RICHER April 22, 2020April 22, 2020

The pandemic has devastated the Boston suburb of Chelsea, which has the highest infection rate in the state.

Business, Health, Nation & World

Tyson Foods idles its largest pork plant after Iowa outbreak

by RYAN J. FOLEY April 22, 2020April 22, 2020

More than 180 infections are linked to the facility and that number is projected to dramatically rise.

Business, Health, Nation & World

More deaths, no benefit from drug touted by Trump for virus use, VA study finds

by MARILYNN MARCHIONE April 21, 2020April 21, 2020

The nationwide study was not a rigorous experiment, but with 368 patients, it’s the largest look so far at hydroxychloroquine with or without the antibiotic azithromycin for COVID-19.

Health, Local & State

Maine plans to double its coronavirus tracking staff

by Penelope Overton April 17, 2020April 18, 2020

The state is hiring another 15 ‘disease detectives’ for a total of 30, but some health officials recommend a much higher number.

Health, Local & State, News

Maine licensing boards caution doctors against prescribing unproven COVID-19 drugs

by Eric Russell April 15, 2020April 15, 2020

Two boards say that it would be ‘unprofessional conduct’ for doctors to prescribe chloroquine, hydroxychloroquine or azithromycin to themselves or family members, and that the drugs should not be prescribed for preventive purposes.

Health, Nation & World, New England, News

Massachusetts recruiting 1,000 ‘contact tracers’ to identify those possibly exposed

by Martha Bebinger April 15, 2020April 15, 2020

The $44 million, time-intensive plan involves a call to someone who has tested positive for the coronavirus, and then a follow-up with everyone that person was in close contact with.