Maine health officials on alert, preparing for potential spread of coronavirus

Health officials have outlined steps the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention is taking for the potential spread of the coronavirus to the state.

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There have been no confirmed cases of coronavirus in Maine. One person in Maine who was tested for the virus tested negative earlier this month.

Health officials stressed the risk to Mainers is currently low, but the Maine CDC continues its planning to make sure the state is ready if the virus spreads to Maine.

"As federal public health officials inform us that the disease is likely to spread further in the U.S., we're working diligently to ensure that we're prepared," Health and Human Services Commissioner Jeanne Lambrew said in a statement. "Protecting the health of Maine people is our job and we're working with our partners throughout the state to take appropriate measures."

Lambrew said the Maine CDC began preparing for the coronavirus right after the beginning of the outbreak in December.

She said dozens of Maine CDC staff members have been working on coronavirus response precautions, focusing on ensuring that potential cases are rapidly identified and investigated and that isolation procedures are in place, if needed.

Other preparedness actions include ensuring adequate supplies of personal protective equipment for health care workers and first responders, 24-7 consultations with our public health professionals, and adjusting emergency response protocols to adapt to the coronavirus.

The Legislature's appropriations committee this week gave the Maine CDC approval to buy updated lab equipment to test for coronavirus.

Gov. Janet Mills said Friday that the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is planning to send test kids to every state to speed up the testing process.

"We're hoping that in the next few days they will have shipped to all the states an adequate number of accurate testing kits for this particular virus," Mills said.

Officials said the Maine CDC continues to update other agencies, health care systems, first responders and schools with the latest information and guidance from the U.S. CDC.

"The risk to the public remains low, but we must prepare for the potential spread of coronavirus," Nirav D. Shah, director of the Maine CDC said. "As we focus on the health of the public, we urge Maine people to take care of their personal health. Eat well, get plenty of sleep, and practice good hygiene. Healthy habits save lives."

The state has created a new website dedicated to providing the latest information on the coronavirus.

Shah said the best thing that Mainers can do to protect their health is to take the same preventive measures that help to avoid catching a cold: Wash, hands often, cover coughs and sneezes and stay home when sick.

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