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

Shaw’s Supermarket will be making two hours available for senior citizens and at-risk community members to do their shopping on select days. 

“To help ensure that the most at-risk members of our community who must leave home to obtain groceries are taken care of, we are reserving 7 AM to 9 AM on Tuesdays and Thursdays for them,” the company posted to social media. 

“During those times, we ask that you avoid shopping so that the stores can be available for senior citizens, and…

Help Yourself Shelf at St. Philip’s Church will run from 4:30 to 5:30 each Thursday set up as grab 'n go: Attendees will come to the hall door, check in, and we will put a box of food outside for them to take away, trying to minimize physical contact. If people cannot make the open time, they can call the church at 882-7184, leaving their name, number, number of people in the household, and someone from the group will call back and arrange…

Dresden selectmen on March 17 approved a five-point protocol to limit public exposure to COVID-19. The meeting was closed to the public except for the press.

Effective through the end of March, the town office will be closed to the public. Staff will maintain regular hours and be available during business hours to answer questions by phone or online. Vehicle re-registration, hunting and fishing licenses and property tax payments may be made online or by mail. No interest on late…

Dear Editor:

We find ourselves dealing with an unprecedented health crisis.  While plans are changing rapidly, the most important and consistent part of the plan is social distancing. COVID-19 is in our community, so we want to remind folks that we can all help by promoting social distancing.

1) What does that mean for you and your family? We recognize that the closure of schools, businesses, and day cares may be disruptive to our lives, but we support all decisions made by…

PORTLAND---With attention to the guidance from the Center for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) and upon consideration of the size of the usual congregations, Bishop Robert P. Deeley is temporarily suspending all daily and Sunday Masses and religious services throughout the Diocese of Portland (covering the entire state of Maine), effective immediately. The bishop is also issuing a dispensation from the obligation to attend Mass for Maine Catholics during this time. There are nearly 300…

UPDATE: The state’s online chart updated Thursday, March 19 shows Lincoln County with three confirmed results for coronavirus, and still none listed for Sagadahoc County.

Original post; Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention reported Wednesday, Lincoln County has a third presumptive positive test result for coronavirus. Word came online in the agency’s daily update at noon,…

When freedom’s enemy has been terrorism, domestic or foreign, the Midcoast and the rest of America have shown support by coming together and turning out. We’ve shown we can still go to the movies, still worship or not, still vacation, dine, run a marathon, educate, learn and vote.

Now the enemy is invisible; it sounds as a cough or other symptoms, and it is tiny. But it is many.

While we can rightly analyze, learn from and, if we choose, criticize any nation’s handling of the…

Days into Maine’s state of emergency, social distancing and other novel terms have emerged. Seeing as they’re here for the foreseeable future, Boothbay Register is sharing some things adults and children can do to burn some time and maybe learn a few things.

From learning to doodle with Mo Willems to…

At Hall Funeral Home and Cremation Services, the families we serve are always our top priority. During confusing and concerning times such as the current COVID-19 event, we want to share our plans with you. We want to assure you that we are all in this together.

First, we are closely monitoring and following all guidelines from the CDC, National Funeral Directors Association, as well as all local and state…

LincolnHealth is suspending elective medical procedures and postponing non-urgent, routine office visits to reduce community spread of coronavirus and redirect its most scarce and important resource – its care team members – to the patients who most need their help the most.

The public should not call to find out about their appointment. Patients will be informed by Friday, March 29.

Dresden selectmen plan to adopt a coronavirus protocol at their Tuesday, March 17 meeting. Town Administrator Michael Henderson said the town office will be closed to the public Wednesday, March 18 until Wednesday, April 1. That closure may be extended, he said. “Most things can be done online,” said Henderson. He said vehicle re-registrations can be done online as well as tax payments which can also be paid by mail.

Election of a first…

AUGUSTA — Effective Tuesday, March 17, all Bureau of Motor Vehicles' offices will be closed to the public until further notice to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus in Maine, according to a news release. 

All of the Bureau of Motor Vehicles' Mobile Unit visits are also suspended until further notice. 

The closure is in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19 among staff and the public, and will remain in place until further notice.

Secretary Dunlap, according to…

AUGUSTA — The Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is taking immediate steps, according to a news release, to ensure access to critical services and benefits for Maine people while protecting the health of employees and the public in response to the 2019 novel coronavirus, or COVID-19.

“We are acting swiftly to maintain Maine people's access to health care coverage, nutritious food, and support for basic necessities in the face of COVID-19, while also safeguarding…

UPDATE: At noon Tuesday, March 17, Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s daily update showed the Lincoln County man’s test results changed from presumptive positive to confirmed, making two confirmed cases for the county. 

Original post: An intensive care unit nurse at LincolnHealth’s Miles Campus hospital in Damariscotta has tested presumptive positive for the coronavirus, is self-quarantining at home and has no symptoms of the virus, said Dr. Russ Mack, a senior…

As a member of the Boothbay region for more than six years and an employee of Boothbay Region Land Trust, I am well versed in the many beautiful preserves that the land trust offers, free to the public all throughout the year. However, as I write, I have a renewed appreciation for the essential resource that our public lands offer each member of our community in these uncertain times.

This renewed appreciation comes from my recent experience living overseas. Since the beginning of…

Portland, Maine – The nine local health organizations within MaineHealth are suspending elective medical procedures and postponing non-urgent office visits to its practices in response to the coronavirus outbreak. Those cancellations are expected to take place by end of the day Friday.

“Supporting public health efforts to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in Maine is one of the approaches we can take to protect our patients, families and care teams,” said Joan Boomsma, MD, chief medical…

A day after canceling upcoming performances due to concerns around the coronavirus, the Metropolitan Opera announced that it would stream encore presentations from the award-winning Live in HD series of cinema transmissions on the company website for the duration of the closure.

The new offering will begin on Monday, March 16 with the 2010 HD performance of Bizet’s “Carmen,” conducted by Met Music Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin and starring Elīna Garanča in the title role and Roberto…

Wiscasset School Department announced plans Monday to provide meals for all students during the shutdown. See Superintendent of Schools Terry Wood’s letter here on how it will work.

Covid-19 concerns caused the Woolwich selectboard to move the April 29 annual town meeting to late May. The board also announced Monday night a precautionary measures at the town office to safeguard staff.

The town meeting was tentatively rescheduled for 6 p.m. Wednesday, May 20 at Woolwich Central School. “Because of the uncertainty (associated with the coronavirus) it’s possible we may need to reschedule it again,” said Chair David King Sr. “If the need arises we could hold off…

In hopes of our helping slow the spread of the  coronavirus and Covid-19 in our community, the Lincoln Theater of Damariscotta is suspending  all programming as of Monday March 16. 

We will revisit the decision to reopen/stay closed in  three weeks.

The office, at 2 Theater Street,  will remain open during this time.

We will resume programming as soon as it is prudent to do so.

Effective today, March 16, the Boothbay Register/Wiscasset Newspaper office at 97 Townsend Ave., Boothbay Harbor will be closed to the public until further notice due to the coronavirus outbreak.

However, our employees are working diligently off-site to bring the communities the latest news of what is being done to combat the virus and to provide information where people can get help during this unknowing time.

We took this action to do our part to help slow the spread of the…

Effective Tuesday, March 17, amid what we know to be unprecedented and uncertain times and in the interest of public health, the Boothbay Region YMCA is suspending on-site operations until April 1, 2020. We will continue child care as outlined later in this letter.The BRYMCA serves a membership of more than 3,000,and we feel it is our responsibility to keep our community safe and prevent the spread of the coronavirus.We ask that you join us in this effort; our Y is going to need your support…

Wiscasset shared this “notice to employees” with local media Monday afternoon. It also contains helpful information for the public on access and operations in light of the global concern of coronavirus:

As we all are aware, the coronavirus is a major health concern in Maine and across the globe. The situation is very fluid and is changing rapidly. Much is still unknown, but we do know that community spread is a concern. As such it is prudent to limit person to person contact as much…

Westport Island selectmen voted Monday to close the town office to all foot traffic for two weeks, effective immediately. With the decision, they join other area towns adapting their operations due to COVID-19. Westport Island office staff will still be available by phone at 882-8477 or by email during regular business hours (Tuesdays 11a.m. to 6 p.m. and Thursdays 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.).

Deputy EMA Director Gaye Wagner said many services, such as renewal registrations, can be done online…

“Big Al” Cohen said Saturday, the only panic buying he has seen remotely close to what the coronavirus has caused was the 1970s gas shortage. “This, to me, is that, multiplied” because it isn’t one thing being bought up, “it’s everything. I’ve never seen this.” 

And it isn’t a boon for his Big Al’s Super Values on Route 1; people were coming in for the hand sanitizer and toilet paper, but could only buy so many: Up to six hand sanitizers Friday, and down to two on Saturday to help…

RSU 2 schools will be closed for two weeks, from Monday, March 16 through Friday, March 27. It is in the best interest of our school communities, Kennebec County, and the state of Maine to practice social distancing now in our collective attempt to slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus. This action is not in response to any known or suspected case of COVID-19 in any RSU school or community but rather to the increasing number of confirmed cases in Maine. 

In making this decision, I…

UPDATE: According to Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention on Monday, Lincoln County has had a second presumptive positive test and the first has gone from presumptive positive to confirmed. The Center lists the county’s latest case as a male in his 40s.

Original post: A Lincoln County case was among new ones Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC) announced Sunday related to the disease caused by the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Maine CDC received…

Sheepscot Valley Regional School Unit 12 schools are closed through March 27, Superintendent of Schools Howie Tuttle confirmed Sunday afternoon in a text reply to Wiscasset Newspaper.

The district serves Alna, Westport Island, Whitefield, Somerville, Chelsea, Windsor and Palermo. Tuttle announced on svrsu.org: “All RSU 12 schools will be closed for two weeks from March 16-March 27 in order to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. The situation will be revisited next week. Educators…

Wiscasset Middle High School’s Facebook page announced Sunday afternoon: “Students in Wiscasset schools will not have school starting on Monday, March 16 and schools will stay closed until March 27.” Superintendent of Schools Terry Wood emailed local newspapers the following letter:

“Dear School Community,

“We have continued to monitor and evaluate the COVID-19 situation closely this weekend. I have gathered information from many sources, heard from many of you, and paid…

As you are probably well aware, at this time, the decision whether to open or close schools is being left to superintendents. After consultation with the Maine, Department of Education and other superintendents yesterday and today, I have decided that schools in the AOS will be closed to students beginning tomorrow and will remain closed until the conclusion of the Spring vacation period. At that time we will reevaluate what is the next course of action.

Administrators and teachers…

Good Shepherd Food Bank is the largest hunger-relief organization in Maine and distributes 25 million meals per year through more than 450 partner hunger-relief programs across the state. Including food pantries, meal sites, schools, and health centers that serve families and individuals who are struggling with hunger. We are continuing this work as Maine starts to realize the impacts of COVID-19.

During times of crisis, a Food Bank’s role evolves. Good Shepherd Food Bank’s role…

LincolnHealth announced March 14 that it is limiting visitation to all of its long-term care, assisted living facilities and the Schooner Cove retirement community. Exceptions may be made for patients receiving end-of-life care after the visitor is screened.

“Given the impact COVID-19 has on the older population, we believe the best way to eliminate opportunities for infection and protect the health of our residents and team members is to limit visitation,’’ said Timothy Fox, MD,…

Out of sincere concern for our patrons and employees and following the advice of the Maine CDC to reduce the spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus) by social distancing, the Harbor Theater will be temporarily closed starting Monday, March 16.

For the latest information on our plans to reopen, go to the website at www.boothbaycinema.org., check out our Facebook page or call the Theater (207) 633-0438. We look forward to welcoming you back to Harbor Theater as soon as possible.

In…

In a decision Regional School Unit 1 Superintendent of Schools Patrick Manuel announced Saturday night, the unit, which serves Woolwich, Bath, Arrowsic and Phippsburg, is closing its schools through March 27.

Manuel’s letter to families and staff, posted at rsu1.org, explains the unit’s schools have no confirmed cases of COVID-19; the two-week closure is being done “out of an abundance of caution,” Manuel writes.

“As you are aware, we have…

AUGUSTA — The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC) was informed this morning, March 13, by MaineHealth that preliminary testing in their lab indicates two more individuals in Maine have tested presumptively positive for the disease caused by the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19), according to a press release.

Those test samples have been sent to the Maine CDC for review and will require confirmation by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

AUGUSTA — The Maine Principals’ Association announced in a March 13 news release the start of spring sports will be delayed. 

In response to recommendations from Governor Janet Mills to not have mass gatherings, the MPA Board of Directors and Interscholastic Management Committee voted Friday morning to delay practices for the high school spring sports season until April 27. 

“We will continue to monitor the situation and will make the appropriate changes as needed to ensure…

While Maine lobster exporters are reporting a drop in prices due to lost sales to China, area dealers see a mixed picture of supply and demand at the local level.

“It is not the Chinese market. It is domestic,” said Spencer Fuller, a manager at Cozy Harbor Seafood, Inc. in Portland. “People are not going out.”

Fuller said prices are “soft” due to the fears connected with the coronavirus. “It is scaring everybody.”

Closer to home, Hugh Thompson of Robinson’s Wharf and…

Governor Janet Mills and the Maine CDC announced today Maine’s first presumptive positive case of the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in Maine. The individual who tested positive is a woman in her 50s from Androscoggin County, according to a news release from the governor’s office.

The Maine CDC is speaking to the individual and her medical provider to assess travel history and begin to investigate possible community exposure. The individual is quarantined at her home.

“The…

In the wake of the Covid-19 outbreak, Midcoast Senior College has decided to cancel its spring term effective immediately. We are also suspending, until further notice, our Current Events forum in conjunction with Curtis Memorial Library and our sponsor, Thornton Oaks.

Midcoast Senior College is dedicated to its mission of providing educational opportunities for seniors in the Midcoast region of Maine. When this health concern has passed, we will continue to operate and plan future…

AUGUSTA — The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC) and 211 Maine announced today, March 11, a new option for Mainers to get answers to questions about the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) at any time.

This service is available by dialing 211 (or 1-866-811-5695), texting your ZIP code to 898-211, or emailing info@211maine.org.

Maine has no confirmed cases or presumptive positive tests for COVID-19. Maine CDC will inform the public if…

Special Olympics Programs worldwide have been very strongly advised by Special Olympics International to suspend all sports training and competition activities involving their athletes through March 31, at which time the situation will be re-evaluated.

Due to the growing concerns surrounding COVID-19, Special Olympics Maine has made the difficult decision to suspend all sports, training and competition activities through the end of the month.

“This is a difficult time that…

Alternative Organizational Structure 98 schools are formulating plans for handling the coronavirus. Superintendent Dr. Keith Laser reported during the March 9 Edgecomb School Committee meeting the district is sending out letters to staff and parents updating precautions regarding the virus which originated in the People’s Republic of China and is spreading worldwide. Globally, 114,000 cases have been confirmed with 4,028 deaths reported by LiveScience.com since the virus occurred in December…

Like hospitals and health care provides across the state, LincolnHealth has been working since the earliest reported case of COVID-19, or coronavirus, to prepare for a response when it is needed.

The challenge with an evolving and novel virus is that the spread of misinformation and fear is often swifter than the movement of the virus. That’s why it is critical for all of us to choose reliable sources for the latest information.

If you visit…

As we watch the news about coronavirus, it seems like a good time to find out how to keep everyone’s exposure down. The coronavirus is primarily spread by droplets in the air so it’s important to cover coughs and sneezes.

But viruses can linger on surfaces, so here are some things you may want to consider so you can avoid what’s lurking out there – whether corona or flu or whatever.

- Avoid touch screen ordering at fast food restaurants and opt for ordering at the counter…

AUGUSTA — The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC) outlined today, Feb. 28, steps that Maine is taking to prepare for the potential spread of the 2019 novel coronavirus to the state.

Maine currently has no confirmed cases of the 2019 novel coronavirus. As Maine CDC previously reported, one individual in Maine who met federal requirements to be tested for the virus tested negative. The risk to the public remains low, and Maine CDC continues comprehensive…