There were 403 patients hospitalized with the disease Monday, but the number of ICU patients has remained steady.
COVID-19
Pope calls COVID vaccines a ‘moral obligation’
Pope Francis said individuals had a responsibility to care for themselves “and this translates into respect for the health of those around us.”
Supreme Court skeptical of Biden’s workplace vaccine mandate
The six conservative justices believe the administration overstepped its authority in its requirement for businesses with at least 100 employees.
Hospitalizations set record in Maine as omicron creates new hot spots for infections
The variant has spread first in coastal and more populous counties, driving up infection rates where they had been relatively low just three weeks ago, and experts predict cases soon will spike in every county.
Bill Nemitz: Dr. Shah to the unvaccinated: It’s time we talked
Rather than condemn those who eschew COVID-19 shots, a Maine Public call-in show this week welcomed them with open arms.
Maine schools face ‘unfathomable challenges’ as omicron spreads
The Maine Department of Education reported Thursday that 4,946 cases of COVID-19 have been reported in school populations in the last 30 days.
U.S. hospitals experience a different kind of COVID-19 surge this time
The omicron variant infects more people, so hospitals must cope with more patients and more health-care workers who test positive, but patients aren’t as sick as with previous variants.
Thousands of U.S. troops refuse to get COVID vaccine despite military order
The vast majority of service members — more than 97% of active-duty forces — have received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine.
Maine hospitals report spike in staff absences caused by COVID-19
MaineHealth and Northern Light Health are urging Mainers to get vaccinated to ease the burden on health care workers caused by the surge likely being fueled by the omicron variant.
Puerto Rico imposes new COVID-19 measures
Private businesses that cater to the public must close from midnight to 5 a.m. and gatherings of more than 250 people are banned.