Mills extends civil emergency; $1M for behavioral health
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Gov. Janet Mills extended the state of emergency in Maine for another 30 days on Wednesday, the third extension since the coronavirus pandemic prompted her to take action in March.
The Democrat warned Mainers to remain vigilant as the state continues the process of reopening the economy.
"It is important for all of us to remember that this dangerous, highly contagious and untreatable virus is still all around us,” Mills said in a news release.
The state of civil emergency proclamation allows the state to continue to draw federal resources and to deploy all available resources to respond to the virus.
State officials also announced a $1 million federal grant to help Mainers cope with the psychological trauma of the coronavirus and disruptions caused by the pandemic, Maine Department of Health and Human Services Commissioner Jeanne Lambrew said.
The money will go to health care providers and organizations to provide counseling and to a public awareness campaign.
Other coronavirus-related developments in Maine:
THE NUMBERS
Another 31 people tested positive for the new coronavirus, but there were no new deaths over the previous 24 hours, the Maine Center for Disease Control reported Wednesday.
All told, Maine had recorded more than 2,600 cases of the virus and 100 deaths as of Tuesday, according to the state CDC.
For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness and lead to death.
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DISCARDED SWABS
A Maine company is acknowledging that it discarded specialized swabs for coronavirus testing that were produced while President Donald Trump visited its plant — but says disposing of the limited run didn’t hamper production.
Puritan Medical Products, in Guilford, said there was only a 15-minute production run Friday, so the president and his entourage could see the company in action. Those swabs were destroyed, and the factory was thoroughly cleaned after they left.
Media reports about the destruction of the swabs raised some concerns at a time when the nation is struggling to ramp up testing.
But the plan all along was to destroy the swabs, and Friday’s production was shifted to the weekend so weekly output was unaffected, ensuring orders were filled, the company said.
Puritan, which is one of only company that makes the swabs in the U.S., is in the process of doubling production with federal assistance to ensure an adequate supply of the swabs.
“We were glad to have the opportunity for our role in addressing the global health pandemic be recognized by the president and other senior government officials,” the company said.
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MUSEUM REOPENS
The Maine State Museum is scheduled to reopen to the public Wednesday after a three-month closure due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The museum's head of visitor services, Joanna Torow, said the museum will look a bit different from how it did before the pandemic. However, visitors will be able to see the newest exhibit, which is about Maine's path to statehood — part of the state's bicentennial celebration. It was open for only a day before the museum closed in March.
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BATTER UP
Baseball fans missing out on America’s favorite pastime can at least eat like they’re at the ball park.
The Portland Sea Dogs, a minor league team affiliated with the Boston Red Sox, are offering takeout food and delivery from Hadlock Field. That includes hot dogs, peanuts and Cracker Jacks, among other stadium staples. A few local beers are also available.
“We miss baseball and we know that our fans do as well. This is one small way we can help our fans get a taste of the ballpark in a safe and savory way,” said Geoff Iacuessa, president and general manager.