Governor Janet T. Mills Addresses the State on the Coronavirus Pandemic in Maine This Evening During Prime Time.

In the wake of several new presumptive positive cases of the 2019 novel coronaviruses, Governor Janet T. Mills announced several new significant recommendations to respond to COVID-19 and signed a proclamation of civil emergency to further protect public health.

Governor Mills is recommending:  1) ending classroom instruction in all public schools as soon as reasonably practical; 2) postponing all non-urgent medical procedures, elective surgeries and appointments at hospitals and health care providers across the state until further notice; 3) restricting visitors and all non-essential health care personnel to long-term care facilities except for certain compassionate care situations; 4) postponing all events with 50 or more people at all gatherings and not permitting more than 10 that include individuals who are at higher risk for severe illness, such as seniors, until further notice.

Currently 7 cases of the coronavirus in Maine have been confirmed.  The cases were transmitted not from travel abroad, but from community transmission.  An obvious reason to practice social distancing.

Dr, N. Shah, Director of the MaineCDC, said many thousands of safety supplies have been ordered from the federal government. Those numbers include respirators, machinery, gloves, etc.

Please see previous post herein for more information on protections for small businesses and workers impacted by the coronavirus initiated by Governor Mills.