PORTLAND, Maine (AP) - A rehabilitation center in Maine is the site of dozens of cases of COVID-19, including patients and staff members, public health officials said.
The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention said 41 residents and 14 staff members had tested positive for the coronavirus as of Sunday at the Augusta Center for Health and Rehabilitation. One resident died, the agency said.
Maine has had three outbreaks of the virus in long-term care facilities. The agency said that it is in regular contact with administrators at Augusta Center and that elevated protective measures are in place.
“This week, Maine CDC will, working with state licensing boards, reiterate in an email to all physicians and nurses licensed in Maine the actions that can be taken in long-term care settings to protect residents and staff,” the agency said in a statement.
Maine CDC Director Nirav Shah said the agency is working to limit spread of the virus in group care settings, which has been a problem around the country.
“We remain committed to every one of them, and committed to their health,” he said.
For most people, the virus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, or death.
The outbreak at the Augusta Center contributed to the largest day-to-day increase in confirmed cases - 65 - bringing the number to nearly 700. The number of deaths in Maine was 19.
In other developments related to the virus:
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SUBSTANCE USE ASSISTANCE
Gov. Janet Mills and Department of Health and Human Services Commissioner Jeanne Lambrew said they would take steps to make sure residents with substance use disorder can still access treatment. The changes include relaxing restrictions on syringe exchange programs.
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SHIPYARD SAFETY
A group of state legislators sent a letter Monday to shipbuilder Bath Iron Works stating they “implore you to take all additional measures within your powers” to slow the spread of the virus. The shipyard is still operating, as the federal government has deemed defense suppliers essential.
Bath Iron Works President Dirk Lesko said in a letter to legislators that the shipyard “has the same intention to protect the health and safety of its workforce as all other employers who remain at work and are part of the critical industry infrastructure in Maine.”
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COLLEGE FUNDING
Maine’s higher education institutions will receive more than $41 million through the federal virus relief act. Half the money must be used for emergency financial aid grants to students, said Republican Sen. Susan Collins, who sits on the Education Committee.
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