Bangor, Maine News Update: March 26, 2020

The Maine CDC reports 142 cases of COVID-19, as of noon on Wednesday, with more than half of those cases in Cumberland County. Residents of Portland are currently under a stay at home order for non-essential employees, in hopes of slowing the spread of the illness.

Dr. Nirav Shah of the Maine CDC is asking any healthcare provider with certifications to register online. They’re hoping to hear from anyone who can skillfully operate a ventilator, for pulmonologists, critical care intensivists, and anesthesiologists, so they can be on standby and ready, should they be needed.

Acadia National Park officials announced this week that the park is essentially shutting down in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Now closed at the park are the carriage trails, Park Loop Road, campgrounds, visitors centers and services, and all restrooms, until further notice. In southern Maine, beaches in York, Wells, Ogunquit, and Kittery have also been closed.

Penobscot Community Health Center, or PCHC, is temporarily suspending all non-emergency visits to their facilities, including their dental practice. Anyone with a non-emergency is asked to call the office so a telemed appointment can be set up, through the computer or phone. Find more information on the PCHC website.

Maine's animal welfare director say pets cannot get coronavirus and will not make their owners sick, however people who suspect they are sick should avoid touching their pets, and wash their hands after handling them or their food. They did tell WVII-TV, however, that those owners should have a plan in place for who will take care of the pets if the humans should get sick.

The Knox County Jail released 20 inmates this week, in an effort to avoid spreading COVID-19 within the facilities. It's not clear if those released were serving sentences or awaiting trial, but none of them had tested positive. Jail officials say no one in the jail is suspected of being infected, but that reducing overcrowding is a preventative measure.

Sunrise Glass is still doing business, but they’re also using this time to help health providers do their jobs. The staff is currently making reusable protective masks, to help healthcare workers deal with the current shortages. Anyone who wishes to donate to their cause should call Sunrise Glass in Brewer.