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TREATMENT CENTERS COMING

With case count near 500, state plans for new treatment ‘modules’

The director of Maine's CDC says the agency continues to distribute personal protective equipment for health care workers and will soon detail plans for 'modules' outside of hospitals to treat patients if there is a surge in coronavirus cases.

Local & State

Union accuses Mills administration of putting state workers at risk

After a third Department of Health and Human Services employee tests positive for COVID-19, the largest union for state workers again calls on the administration to do more to inform and protect workers from the virus.
Related Stories
- Rockland DHHS office to be closed Monday after worker tests positive for coronavirus
Business

Maine regulator predicts outbreak of virus-related scams

Maine Securities Administrator Judith Shaw warns residents to be wary of schemes preying on their fears surrounding coronavirus.
Related Stories
- Feds: Scam artists spread virus lies, prey on Medicare recipients

Business

Maine lenders buried in applications as small businesses seek federal aid

Financial institutions are hurriedly processing a flood of requests for emergency loans backed by the U.S. Small Business Administration.
- Over 1,000 small businesses in Maine qualify for payroll protection loans
Nation & World

The Latest: UK’s Johnson is stable in ICU with virus, received oxygen

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson's office says he is in stable condition in a hospital intensive care unit with the coronavirus.
Nation & World

Virus deaths slow in some countries as the toll in U.S. approaches 11,000

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo says the state is seeing the first, faint signs that its outbreak might be at or near its peak, but keeps schools and nonessential businesses closed until the end of the month.
- Americans bracing for ‘hardest and saddest’ week of their lives
Local & State

As trolls hijack remote meetings, officials rethink public access

Stay-at-home orders have prompted Maine municipalities to move their meetings online. But intruders are 'Zoom-bombing' the video forums with lewd images and comments.
- Cities and towns shift to virtual meetings to carry out public’s business
- Bath City Council’s first online meeting cut short by pornographic images
Times Record

BIW requires workers to wear face masks, over union objections

Chris Wiers, president of Machinists Union Local S6, he's concerned homemade masks made of cotton and other flammable materials are a severe safety risk.
Local & State

Photos show familiar Maine places are now desolate spaces

Portland Press Herald photographers take a look at familiar public spaces, now empty because of the coronavirus outbreak.
- Confronting a pandemic: Photos of the coronavirus crisis from Maine
Health care

Lewiston hospital revises coronavirus sick leave policy under pressure from employees

Nurses at St. Mary's Regional Medical Center had complained about having to use their earned time off if they were forced to quarantine.
- At Lewiston hospital, quarantined staff must use own sick time
Local & State

The Virus Diaries: ‘This coronavirus thing feels like wartime’

Laura Friedman's father served in Vietnam, and as part of a military family she lived all over the world. Those experiences have helped her adjust to the uncertainties of the virus outbreak.
- The Virus Diaries: Read Mainers’ stories of how the pandemic is affecting them
Nation & World

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson moved to intensive care with COVID-19

Johnson's symptoms worsened over the day Monday, and his office says the foreign secretary has been designated to take over should Johnson become incapacitated.
- Queen delivers message of hope to U.K. amid virus outbreak

How is the coronavirus affecting you?
Are you suddenly out of work? How is your child’s remote education going? Are you struggling with isolation? Has getting a home repair become a challenge? Are you having trouble buying essentials? We want to hear how Mainers are coping. Email us at [email protected]. Please include your name, town and phone number so a reporter can contact you.