Governor Janet Mills addressed the state on Friday, the one-year anniversary of the 1st diagnosed case of COVID-19 in Maine.

In some ways, it's hard to believe it's been a whole year since we reported that very first diagnosis. 'Here we go,' we thought, expecting it to last a few months. In other ways, it's hard to believe it's been only a year since we were able to shop without masks, gather in large numbers, and send our kids to school on a daily basis. But Friday, March 12th, marks the one-year anniversary of the day life began to change in our state.

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The governor marked the anniversary by posting a video of her observations, over the past year. She honors those who have lost their lives to the disease and recognizes the many residents who are currently sick.

On Friday, the Maine CDC reported another 215 new cases of COVID-19 statewide. This is the first time, in more than a week, that the numbers have topped 200. There were no new deaths.

So far in Maine:

  • 46,650 cases of COVID-19
  • 723 Deaths

The COVID-19 vaccine is bringing hope to the state, with clinics popping up to administer vaccinations as quickly as possible. Maine's vaccination schedule has people 60 and older currently eligible for the shot.

Also on Friday, Mills announced an expedited schedule to administer the vaccine to all adult Mainers.

People 50 and over will be eligible beginning April 1. Then, on May 1, all adults will be eligible.

Right now, school staff and faculty members, as well as child care providers, are also eligible to get vaccinated.

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LOOK: Answers to 30 common COVID-19 vaccine questions

While much is still unknown about the coronavirus and the future, what is known is that the currently available vaccines have gone through all three trial phases and are safe and effective. It will be necessary for as many Americans as possible to be vaccinated in order to finally return to some level of pre-pandemic normalcy, and hopefully these 30 answers provided here will help readers get vaccinated as soon they are able.

 

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