As of 12 p.m. Thursday, March 12, test results show that one Mainer has tested presumptive positive for the coronavirus. Click here for the latest coronavirus news, which the BDN has made free for the public. You can support this mission by purchasing a digital subscription.
— Here are answers to questions from BDN readers about the new coronavirus
— Do you have questions about the coronavirus? Ask us here.
— Here’s what has been canceled or postponed in Maine due to coronavirus
— Interactive map: The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in each state
Will Faunce, a junior at the University of Maine, moves out of Oak Hall on the University of Maine campus Thursday afternoon. The University of Maine System will transition to remote instruction for classes on all campuses for the remainder of the semester, effective March 23. (Photo by Linda Coan O’Kresik | BDN staff]
important: the Navy reservist who has coronavirus in Maine is the *same person* as the woman in her 50s who was announced as the first case earlier today
there is still only one confirmed case of coronavirus in Maine.https://t.co/aE88zHSiEm
— Jessica Piper (@jsscppr) March 12, 2020
Our awesome staff is working really long hours trying to untangle the implications of a crazy public health story that's changing every 15 minutes. Here's a summary of the stuff we've published since the morning. https://t.co/DfjTKwiiz2
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Sports are done for the semester at UMaine:
Maine’s seven community colleges and Husson University are extending their spring breaks from one week to two weeks so they can better defend themselves against the spread of COVID-19.
Read the story here: https://bangordailynews.com/2020/03/12/news/bangor/virus-concerns-prompt-maines-community-colleges-husson-to-extend-spring-breaks/
U.S. Sen. Angus King is the first member of Maine’s congressional delegation to shift his Washington, D.C., office to telework. He made the decision on Thursday after a staffer in another Senate office was diagnosed with the new coronavirus. King, an independent who caucuses with Democrats, will continue to work in Washington and his Maine offices will remain open.
University of Maine System schools will give partial refunds for room and board after administrators moved this week to hold classes remotely for the remainder of the semester amid the coronavirus outbreak.
Story here:
UMaine System to partially refund students for room and board amid virus outbreak
https://t.co/nt8bFsedQf pic.twitter.com/2OHYPwcg90
— George Danby (@Danbyink) March 12, 2020
The NCAA has canceled the Division I basketball championships, among others. Read the story here:
The latest from UMaine:
As people opt to stay at home amid the coronavirus outbreak, here’s what’s been canceled in Maine:
Here’s what has been canceled or postponed in Maine due to coronavirus
Major League Baseball is delaying the start of its season by at least two weeks because of the coronavirus outbreak and suspended the rest of its spring training game schedule. Opening Day had been scheduled for March 26.
Major League Baseball delays opening day by at least 2 weeks, suspends spring training schedule
No public elementary, middle or high schools in Maine have announced or anticipated closures as of March 12.
Read the story here:
Janet Mills said she is currently working on changes to her $127 million supplemental budget package to better equip the state to prepare for the virus to spread, but she declined to elaborate, saying she is talking about a “variety of scenarios” and discussing needs with lawmakers and advisers.
Read the story here:
Janet Mills advises postponing gatherings after Maine sees first positive coronavirus test
After state officials disclosed Thursday the first presumptive positive test for the coronavirus in Maine, Bangor area schools said Thursday they are canceling big gatherings and limiting students’ travel.
Read the story here:
Bangor-area high schools cancel large gatherings due to coronavirus
“The tone of unity was perhaps the president’s most important message, and where he can lead by example. Rather than downplay the risks from coronavirus, often contradicting health experts in his own administration, or take to Twitter to attack political foes, Trump should largely step back and let the experts lead the American response,” the BDN editorial board writes.
As coronavirus comes to Maine, president’s urgency, call for unity, is welcomed
Amid all the fears, quarantines and stockpiling of food, it has been easy to ignore the fact that more than 60,000 people have recovered from the coronavirus spreading around the globe.
The disease can cause varying degrees of illness and is especially troublesome for older adults and people with existing health problems, who are at risk of severe effects, including pneumonia. But for most of those affected, coronavirus creates only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough, with the vast majority recovering from the virus.
Canceled flights and other lost business are expected to cost U.S. airports at least $3.7 billion this year, Airports Council International – North America said Thursday. The council did not yet break down expected losses by individual airports.
Read story here:
US airports stand to lose $3.7B from the coronavirus outbreak
Gov. Janet Mills announces that one person has tested positive for coronavirus in Maine, during a news conference at the State House, Thursday, March 12, 2020, in Augusta, Maine. Dr. Nirav Shah, director of the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention, is at right. (Photo by Robert F. Bukaty | AP)
Read the story here: https://bangordailynews.com/2020/03/12/news/bangor/maine-confirms-first-case-of-coronavirus-in-the-state/
Maine has confirmed its first presumptive positive case of the coronavirus that has infected more than 1,000 across the U.S. and killed more than two dozen in the country, Gov. Janet Mills said Thursday.
Story here: https://bangordailynews.com/2020/03/12/news/bangor/maine-confirms-first-case-of-coronavirus-in-the-state/
Do you have questions about the coronavirus? Ask us here.
Sen. Susan Collins arrives for a briefing on the coronavirus outbreak on Capitol Hill in Washington on Thursday. (Photo by Carolyn Kaster | AP)
Maine CDC director Nirav Shah with details on the first positive test: a woman in her 50s, resident of Androscoggin County. They’re still investigating travel history and contact w/ others.
Says primay focus is health of the woman so she can have a “safe and speedy recovery”
— Jessica Piper (@jsscppr) March 12, 2020
Colby College on Thursday became the latest Maine university to move to hold its classes remotely for the remainder of the spring amid the developing coronavirus pandemic.
Maine Gov. Janet Mills on Thursday recommended postponing gatherings of more than 250 people for at least 30 days after announcing the state’s first presumptive positive test for the new coronavirus in a woman in Androscoggin County.
Due to the need to work on additional efforts to confront the COVID-19 pandemic, the Senate should cancel its recess and remain in session next week.
— Sen. Susan Collins (@SenatorCollins) March 12, 2020
From BDN reporter Eesha Pendharkar:
Lewiston schools will not be shutting down as of now, even after the confirmed case of coronavirus in Androscoggin County. “Nothing changes with us at all,” Lewiston superintendent Todd Finn said. “From a superintendent’s standpoint, the closing of schools will do much more harm than good. We’re staying the course.”
Maine has confirmed its first case of the coronavirus that has infected hundreds across the U.S. and killed at least two dozen in the country, Gov. Janet Mills said Thursday.
Story here: https://bangordailynews.com/2020/03/12/news/bangor/maine-confirms-first-case-of-coronavirus-in-the-state/
Maine has its first presumptive positive coronavirus test, per Janet Mills.
Eastern Maine Community College on Thursday announced that it is postponing large campus events.
“While a variety of factors influenced this decision, be assured that the health and safety of our students and stakeholders is our primary concern,” the community college said in a statement.
First Tom Hanks tests positive for the coronavirus, and now Justin Trudeau is under self-quarantine.
BREAKING – CANADA’S PRIME MINISTER IS SELF ISOLATING OVER CORONAVIRUS CONCERNS. See statement from PMO. pic.twitter.com/z0k7nVPyz6
— Katie Simpson (@CBCKatie) March 12, 2020
Breaking: MLS is suspending its season until further notice because of the coronavirus, first reported by Sports Illustrated and confirmed to ESPN. pic.twitter.com/Qp3X2aJMvl
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) March 12, 2020
The ACLU of Maine has sent a letter to Gov. Janet Mills, the city managers of Maine’s 15 largest cities and the Maine Municipal Association to offer guidance for developing a response to the coronavirus outbreak while protecting Mainers’ civil liberties.
“We know this situation is unprecedented, and it will take many of us working together and utilizing our collective expertise to respond appropriately, effectively, and fairly,” Alison Beyea, executive director of the ACLU of Maine, wrote in the letter sent Wednesday night. “Together, we can help ensure a response that is scientifically justified and no more intrusive upon civil liberties than absolutely necessary.”
Fresh produce may be part of a healthy diet, but the coronavirus outbreak poses additional concerns to some grocery shoppers, the BDN’s Lori Valigra writes.
Here’s what you need to know about grocery shopping during the coronavirus pandemic.
https://bangordailynews.com/2020/03/12/business/how-to-grocery-shop-during-the-coronavirus-outbreak/
A fake letter circulated around the Bates College campus on Wednesday claimed the college planned a “mandatory” coronavirus contamination to combat the growing global pandemic.
The letter claimed that students were to report to the campus’ dining hall, where they would receive an “active coronavirus injection.”
Read the story here:
University of Maine System schools will give partial refunds for room and board after administrators moved this week to hold classes remotely for the remainder of the semester amid the coronavirus outbreak.
Read the full story here:
The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention reports that there are no confirmed cases of the new coronavirus, known as COVID-19, in the state, based on 65 tests. Health officials still await results on another 20 tests, according to information the Maine CDC posted online at 11:20 a.m.
Janet Mills will be delivering a press conference at noon. We will be live streaming it right here on our live blog.
From BDN reporter Eesha Pendharkar:
I’m writing a story about how K-12 schools are handling COVID-19 differently than Maine’s public universities. “At this time there has been no announced nor anticipated school closures PreK- 12 in Maine,” said Kelli Deveaux, Director of Communications for the Maine Department of Education. All schools are monitoring the situation but will not switch to online-only learning without direct CDC guidance, she said.
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