Bangor, Maine News Update: May 22, 2020

The Maine CDC reports no new deaths from COVID-19. The latest statistics report 1,877 cases of the virus in the state so far, which is an increase of 58 from the previous day. 35 more people have recovered, for a total of 1,145. Currently there are 732 active cases in the state.

The Mills' administration has released specific rules for businesses that will be allowed to open on June 1st. They recommend summer day camps limit their attendance to 50 campers. And restaurants should allow no more than 50 diners, with allowances for social distancing between tables.

Maine has received 52-point-7-million dollars to expand its coronavirus lab and testing capacity. The money will be used to upgrade the state lab in Augusta and to increase drive-through testing sites across the state. In the long-term, some of the money will also be used to build a new lab in the state capital.

Fire danger is very high for areas north of Bangor, so the Maine Forest Service is asking residents to use extreme caution over the long weekend. A red flag warning has been issued by the National Weather Service, due to dry conditions and gusting winds.

Mainers wanting to spend part of the holiday weekend at Acadia National Park are invited to do some hiking, but should be prepared for a different environment than they're used to. The Park Loop Road and carriage roads are closed to traffic, and the restrooms and campgrounds are also closed. Visitors are asked to practice social distancing and wear masks when that's not possible.

The Islesboro Crossing fundraiser for Life Flight of Maine is going virtual this year, and organizers hope it will encourage people from across the state to participate. Instead of gathering to swim from Northport to Islesboro, participants can swim across any body of water of their choosing.