Local Coronavirus COVID-19 Resource Center: Alerts, Closings, Cancellations

Healthy Kids knows this is a hard time for everyone. In order to be helpful, the following are available online. Healthy Kids Facebook page, @healthykidsmaine, is posting activities for children of all ages daily. Any parent wishing to get some parenting support can call the office and/or ask to take a parenting class through Zoom. Contact Mindy at 563-1818 or email mcorrell@tidewater.net for information.

Healthy Kids will also be posting…

Wiscasset public safety agencies would like to remind people that they can help keep our first responders safe and healthy by heeding the advice of our governmental and public health professionals and remain at home to help minimize the threat of community transmission of COVID 19.

Please, only go out into the public when necessary. We realize this is hard, but by all working together we can defeat this unseen enemy.

In order to strengthen its response to COVID-19 (coronavirus) while continuing to provide care for patients with other health needs, LincolnHealth has temporarily relocated Lincoln Medical Partners Family Medicine in Wiscasset to the Watson Health Center in Damariscotta.

“This is a time where we must anticipate the growing needs related to COVID-19,’’ said James Donovan, pesident of LincolnHealth. “Having this team on the Miles campus creates another layer of resources we may need if…

More than 450 pieces of legislation are in limbo, including measures to reform Maine’s criminal justice system, following the sudden adjournment of the Legislature last week because of concerns about the spread of coronavirus.

Some of the criminal justice bills address how juveniles are punished and rehabilitated, whether steps can be taken to reduce the use of cash bail and whether some violations now considered crimes should be reduced to civil offenses.

“The unfortunate…

The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC) today, March 27, reported the first death of an individual who had tested positive for the disease caused by the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19). The individual was a man in his 80s from Cumberland County. Due to privacy laws, Maine CDC is limited in releasing further details.  

“This is a sad day for the State of Maine. I know I join countless people in extending my condolences to his family, friends, and loved ones…

AUGUSTA — The Maine CDC has updated its list, March 27, of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the state of Maine. Today, there are 168 cases confirmed. 

Twenty-four people in Maine have since recovered from COVID-19, while one person has passed. 

By sex, 82 males tested positive in the state and 86 females tested positive. 

Confirmed Cases: This number represents tests that come back positive from any approved lab.

Negative Tests: This number…

AUGUSTA — In response to the extraordinary generosity of Maine people, businesses, and organizations looking to help during these challenging times, Governor Janet Mills launched a new online resource, coronavirus.maine.gov/mainehelps, to outline ways in which Maine people can support efforts to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The kindness and generosity of Maine…

AUGUSTA — Governor Janet Mills and Commissioner of the Department of Administrative and Financial Services Commissioner Kirsten Figueroa announced today, March 26, the State will extend the deadline for Maine income tax payments from April 15, 2020 to July 15, 2020, according to a news release.

The change aligns with the Federal government’s recent extension of the Federal tax filing deadline to July 15, 2020.

“It is my hope that moving back this deadline will help provide a…

Effective Friday, March 27, at 12:01 a.m., the following Midcoast and Southern Maine coastal State Parks and beaches are closed until April 8: Reid State Park, Popham Beach State Park, Fort Popham, Fort Baldwin, Kettle Cove State Park, Two Lights State Park, Crescent Beach State Park, Scarborough Beach State Park, Ferry Beach State Park, and Mackworth Island.

The closure could be extended depending on the spread of the potentially deadly virus, according to the Department of…

AUGUSTA — The Maine CDC has updated its list, March 26, of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the state of Maine. Today, there are 155 cases confirmed and 3,394 tests have returned as negative. 

Sixteen people in Maine have since recovered from COVID-19. 

By sex, 76 males tested positive in the state and 79 females tested positive. 

Confirmed Cases: This number represents tests that come back positive from any approved lab.

Negative Tests: This…

The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife and the Department and Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry know that during these stressful times, everyone wants to get outside and recharge. One challenge we all face right now is how to enjoy the outdoors responsibly during this civil state of emergency.

Here are a few reminders on how you can get some fresh air while being smart, staying safe, and sticking close to home.

Go where they aren’t (AKA how to avoid…

The Lincoln County EMA Emergency Operations Center issued a request March 26 for new, unused Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to assist our front line Emergency Medical, Fire Department and Law Enforcement first responders, health care providers and health care facilities responding to COVID-19. Needed supplies include: N95 masks (NIOSH approved equivalent or similar), surgical protective masks, nitrile gloves, eye protection, face shields, disposable protective gowns or suits, disposable…

For Nikki and Jimmy MacDonald of Boothbay Harbor, life in Oaxaca, Mexico, was the beginning of a new adventure. “We’d been there for about two months and planned to stay indefinitely,” said Nikki MacDonald.

The MacDonalds teach English as a foreign language online. “We loved Oaxaca, we were enjoying learning Spanish, the people were great,” MacDonald said.

But when the coronavirus began to impact the U.S., everything changed.

“We’d been keeping an eye on things,” said…

UPDATE: Deb Boucher said via email Monday, her daughter arrived back in Maine Saturday night. “She is at the (friend’s) house where she is isolating. She is fine, healthy and in good spirits although a bit tired as you would expect.”

Original post: The distance between Edgecomb, Maine and Hanoi, Vietnam is 7,933 miles. The long trip is further complicated by current travel restrictions due to the coronavirus. But a former Edgecomb resident is returning home from Vietnam Saturday with…

WESTBROOK, ME – With the spread of COVID-19 and social distancing in place, many Mainers find themselves out of work or working remotely with children home due to school closings. Many of Maine’s school children depend on school meals for their nutrition and in this current crisis may be forced to go hungry. To support families in need, the Maine Bankers Association has rallied 34Maine banks – listed below – to raise $61,000 in a matter of hours to support food pantries throughout the state…

Nicole St. Cyr of Newcastle is taking social distancing seriously. She thinks it should also apply to snowmen. March 24, after the overnight snowstorm, she got busy building a line of snowmen on her lawn being careful to make sure they were at least six feet apart.

“The snowmen can’t be together,” said St. Cyr, who lives with her family on Academy Hill Road. 

She even made one on the roof of her van to show how some snowmen are exercising extreme caution. St. Cyr had to work…

AUGUSTA – Secretary of State Matthew Dunlap is updating all Maine residents with the latest developments surrounding BMV transactions during the emergency closure period.

Sec. Dunlap closed all BMV offices Tuesday, March 17 to aid in preventing the spread of COVID-19 among staff and the public, and the closure will remain in effect until further notice.

• The Maine Legislature, in its…

AUGUSTA – A significant number of individuals are filing unemployment insurance (UI) claims and reaching out to the Maine Department of Labor with questions as Mainers lose work due to COVID-19.   

“The Maine Department of Labor is working as quickly as it can to process the unprecedented number of unemployment claims,” said Commissioner Laura Fortman, in a March 24 news release. “The unemployment insurance program provides a critical economic lifeline and is experiencing extremely…

Under the authority granted to her during a State of Civil Emergency, Governor Janet Mills today issued an Executive Order mandating that all non-essential businesses and operations in Maine close their physical locations that are public facing, meaning those that allow customer, vendor or other in-person contact. The Order also closes non-essential business sites that require more than ten workers to convene in a space where physical distancing is not possible. Non-essential businesses and…

Our column two weeks ago was about nature-based activities any of us can do from the backyard, as Maine and the world practice physical distancing due to COVID-19. We have been enjoying watching spring slowly unfold as we have time to pay closer attention to the small things around our home. Yesterday we had the first purple finches at the feeder that we have seen since last fall, and the goldfinch…

Andrea Smith has been getting looks when she drives her Subaru Forrester lately. 

“Just some big smiles from other drivers going by in passing.”

Smith has been a Woolwich alewife counter every May since she moved to Brunswick from Vinalhaven six years ago. And she drives through Wiscasset  often to get to the ferry in Rockland. So when she heard Wiscasset Newspaper did an article about a new happening that interested her – noontime bell-ringing in Wiscasset village – she…

The Maine Health Care Association has launched an intergenerational program designed to reach nursing home and assisted living residents with messages of encouragement, love, and support during these unprecedented times.

Currently, federal and state guidelines are restricting visits to nursing homes and assisted living communities to protect vulnerable residents from illness and prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus. We recognize the…

From Thursday, March 26, medical staff from St. Andrews Urgent Care will begin caring for patients on the Miles Campus in Damariscotta.

John Martins, director of Communications and Public Affairs at LincolnHealth, explained. “The decision was made based on projected needs due to COVID-19 and our ability to provide coverage for other types of emergent care. It also assists in our surge preparation. There is still care available on the St. Andrews Campus and for the same hours. We just…

AUGUSTA — The Maine CDC has updated its list, March 24, of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the state of Maine. Today, there are 118 cases confirmed and 3,014 tests have returned as negative. 

Seven people in Maine have since recovered from COVID-19. 

By sex, 57 males tested positive in the state and 61 females tested positive. 

Confirmed Cases: This number represents tests that come back positive from any approved lab.

Negative Tests: This number…

Global pandemic nor rain kept customers away from Treats curbside pickup Thursday afternoon, March 19. “We’ll definitely try it again next week,” said owner Stacy Linehan via Facebook post. Treats had posted an order form online and customers could pick up their order curbside during a specific window of time.

On moving to takeout only, Linehan said, “I think it’s a good decision, it’s just a really hard one ... I just do want to ... thank everyone who has been so supportive of this…

United Way of Mid Coast Maine announced Monday that it has created a special Fund to help initiatives and agencies meet the increased needs of local people during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The COVID-19 Urgent Needs Fund is being set up to match the needs of vulnerable people in Mid Coast Maine with the generosity of people who want to help others during this difficult time,” said Bill Brillant, United Way’s Board Chair. “United Way partner agencies and others are working hard to help…

The coronavirus is affecting everyone's life right now. With stores, schools, and more closing, everyone is coming to terms with our new reality. 

Life as a college student right now has been a saddening experience. College students all over have had to pack up their things and move back home, while their professors switch classes to online learning and students learn how to get the most out of their education while…

The coronavirus is affecting everyone, both personally and professionally. With new recommendations from our governor, Maine Department of Health, the CDC and a new directive from Special Olympics, Inc. (distributed last week) that strongly advises all programs to cancel all Special Olympic activities through May 31st, we have developed an updated plan to take us through the next few months.

In light of these recommendations, Special Olympics Maine has made the difficult decision to…

AUGUSTA — The Maine CDC has updated its list, March 23, of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the state of Maine. Today, there are 107 cases confirmed and 2,791 have returned as negative. 

Three people in Maine have since recovered from COVID-19. 

The tables below are updated once each day by noon.

Confirmed Cases: This number represents tests that come back positive from any approved lab.

Negative Tests: This number represents negative tests from…

Boothbay Region Health Center, located in the Meadow Mall, Boothbay Harbor continues to serve local people during this time of need. We plan to be here for the community through thick and thin, as long as our staff remains healthy. Although other healthcare facilities are reducing their primary care services, we remain open and we welcome walk-ins and same day appointments. You don't need to be a current patient to use our services. And, you don't need to switch providers in order to avail…

Central Lincoln County (CLC) YMCA has extended the closure of the main facility and child care site through April 5. Management will continue to monitor the situation and work closely with the town of Damariscotta, LincolnHealth, and the superintendent of the AOS93 school district to align with consistency on best practices.

To best support the community to stay healthy during this time of social distancing, CLC YMCA is providing virtual options for online fitness and exercise…

The closure of in-person education for K-12 education as a COVID-19 precaution has posed unique challenges for local parents suddenly finding themselves with lesson plans and kids at home all day. Many parents are feeling the schools’ support.

In a phone interview, Lisa Pettis Wright of Wiscasset said the teachers “are amazing at answering questions.” Daughters Makynlee, in third grade, and Tayia, in second grade, were working with their mother to complete their lessons. “Getting the…

Concord Coach Lines has suspended its service to and from the Midcoast for the foreseeable future during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The company had been making stops in Belfast, Rockport, Lincolnville, Damariscotta, Rockland, Searsport, Waldoboro and Wiscasset en route to Boston and Logan Airport. 

The news was announced by the company March 18 with the changes effective March 22. 

The company also announced it was suspending its New York City service. 

To view…

Social distancing had a ring to it in Wiscasset Village Sunday. A lot of them: From a cowbell to Christmas ones, bells rang out at noon in the coronavirus spring.

Helen Russell and son Ben, 4, walked down their Federal Street driveway carrying a bell she said came with the house. As they rang the bell, Russell said they wanted to help…

Regional School Unit 2 that includes Dresden, and Sheepscot Valley Regional School Unit 12 that includes Alna and Westport Island, have followed Woolwich’s district, Regional School Unit 1, and Wiscasset in extending their school closures about another month.

Based on announcements on all the districts’ websites in recent days, Wiscasset and RSU 1 schools are closed through April 26; RSU 2 and SVRSU 12, through April 27. 

In a letter dated Sunday, March 22 on SVRSU 12’s site…

AUGUSTA — The Maine CDC has updated its list, March 22, of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the state of Maine. Today, there are 89 cases confirmed and 2,264 have returned as negative, though negative tests results are not updated on the weekend.

Three people in Maine have since recovered from COVID-19. 

The tables below are updated once each day by noon.

Confirmed Cases: This number represents tests that come back positive from any approved lab.

…

From fundraising for families, to village bell-ringing from porches and churches, and the new group Alna Cares, area residents are finding ways to connect and to help one another through the coronavirus crisis.

The bell-ringing in and beyond Wiscasset village, including by St. Philip’s Episcopal and First Congregational churches, is set for noon Sunday, Elizabeth Palmer said in a phone interview Saturday night. Her idea was inspired by scenes of Italians and others around the world…

In order to strengthen its response to COVID-19 (coronavirus) while continuing to provide care for patients with other health needs, LincolnHealth is making some proactive temporary staffing adjustments.

On Thursday, team members at the St. Andrews Urgent Care Center will begin caring for patients on the Miles Campus in Damariscotta and services at the Center will be temporarily suspended. In order to strengthen access to care in Boothbay Region, the Family Care Center (FCC) will…

AUGUSTA — The Maine CDC has updated its list, March 21, of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the state of Maine. Today, there are 70 cases confirmed and 2,264 have returned as negative, though negative tests results are not updated on the weekend.

Many of the confirmed cases are in their 50s and 60s, although the age span is under 20 to over 80, with 39 females and 31 males.

Three people in Maine have since recovered from COVID-19. 

The tables below are updated once each…

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Mid-Maine’s Midcoast Bowl for Kids’ Sake events, previously scheduled for April in Belfast, Waldoboro and Rockport, are being postponed. As recommended by the CDC, the agency is following social distancing guidelines for the safety of supporters, staff, and Bigs and Littles. Bowling events originally planned for April 2-11, will be held in May and June according to the following schedule:

Thursday, May 28, 1 to 6 p.m., at ALLPlaY Family Entertainment…

UPDATE: Woolwich’s district, Regional School Unit 1, also announced Friday its schools will stay closed through April 26.

Original post, of Wiscasset Superintendent of Schools Terry Wood’s statement at wiscassetschools.org: “In an effort to mitigate and slow the spread of COVID-19, Gov. Mills and the Department of…

Scarborough, ME—Hannaford Supermarkets announced today its commitment to donate $250,000 to support area foodbanks that are experiencing increasing and unprecedented demand during the widening of the COVID-19 global pandemic. The monies will be distributed to foodbanks in Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Vermont and New York.

Additionally, Hannaford is kicking off a register and store kiosk donation program at all Hannaford grocery stores that will make it easy for customers to…

The U.S. Small Business Administration is offering low-interest federal disaster loans for working capital to Maine small businesses suffering substantial economic injury as a result of the Coronavirus (COVID-19), SBA Administrator Jovita Carranza announced today. SBA acted under its own authority, as provided by the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act that was recently signed by the President, to declare a disaster following a request received from Gov. …

Damariscotta and Boothbay Harbor: In response to the latest medical guidance to reduce community spread of COVID-19 in Maine, LincolnHealth has expanded its restriction to visitors on the Miles and Boothbay campuses, as well as at the Lincoln Medical Partners practices in Boothbay, Damariscotta, Waldoboro and Wiscasset.

Under the new policy, no visitors are permitted at

• Pediatrics (one parent/guardian at a time allowed in all areas)
• Obstetrics (one spouse/birth…

AUGUSTA — The Maine CDC has updated its list, March 20, of presumptive positive and confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the state of Maine. Today, there are 44 cases confirmed, 12 presumptive positive and 2,264 have returned as negative. Many of them are in their 50s and 60s, although the age span is under 20 to over 80, with 29 females and 27 males.

The tables below are updated once each day Monday through Friday by noon.

The majority of cases are in Cumberland County, with 26…

PORTLAND, Maine – In response to the increased risk of community spread of COVID-19 in Maine, Maine Medical Center (MMC) is limiting visitors to pediatric patients and patients with other special circumstances beginning Saturday, March 21.

These visitor restrictions are being made to protect the health and safety of patients and employees of Maine Medical Center and are in addition previously announced restrictions. They apply to all hospital, outpatient clinic and medical practice,…

CLYNK is a redemption company born out of community. You rely on us to get you back your deposits, and our hardworking employees value your business as it gives them dependable income and basic benefits. Never has this been truer than during the COVID-19 outbreak.

CLYNK is open for business. We are committed to keeping this little corner of your life “easy and convenient” even while the rest is anything but. We are taking extra precautions to keep our employees safe, including…

Rev. Josh Fitterling won’t be all alone in First Congregational Church of Wiscasset when Sunday service gets recorded due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Music minister Linda Adams and a partial choir will join him, and Jim Nelon will record it all. The church has suspended its in-person March 22 and 29 services.

Other Wiscasset-area churches are also adjusting for the viral outbreak that has state and federal officials calling on people to not gather in groups bigger than 10.

“In…

In light of the uncertainty around the Covid-19 crisis, the selectboard of the town of Edgecomb has postponed the town’s annual meeting and election scheduled for May 16. Both will be rescheduled at a date to be determined when events normalize.

“The state has enacted special measures that will allow the town to operate (pay its bills, accept payments, etc.) without a new budget voted into place, provided the town operates on the current year’s budget,” explained Jack Sarmanian,…

Scarborough, Maine —Hannaford Supermarkets announced effective Tuesday, March 24 that its stores will offer dedicated shopping hours for people age 60 and older, as well as those with compromised immune systems. Stores will open early from 6 a.m. to 7 a.m. on Tuesday through Thursday to service this vulnerable population and allow a less crowded shopping environment, which enables better social distancing.

Until further notice, the Woolwich Municipal building is closed to the public. The selectboard made the decision Wednesday afternoon, March 18 as a COVID-19 precaution.

Town Administrator Kim Dalton said the office staff will still be working at the municipal building but only to answer the phones and process payments. The hours to call are from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. The closure will remain in effect until further notice, she added.

“We’ll continue to post…

Emergencies have a way of bringing out the best and worst in people and for those who tend toward the latter, Maine has a price-gouging law to protect consumers.

Under Title 10, MRSA, section 1105, which prohibits “profiteering,” the Governor must first declare that an “abnormal market disruption” has occurred. That took place on March 17, when Gov. Mills issued a proclamation stating, in part:

“NOW THEREFORE, I, Janet T. Mills, Governor of the State of Maine ... hereby…

The Maine Delegation wrote to Defense Secretary Mark Esper and Acting Navy Secretary Thomas Modly today, urging them to take action to protect the health of shipyard employees during the COVID-19 outbreak.

In their letter, U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King and Representatives Chellie Pingree and Jared Golden said that the safety of shipyard workers is “paramount.” They also told Secretary Esper and Acting Secretary Modly that they stood ready to provide the Department of…