The number was lower than the state’s peak of 417 overdose deaths in 2017, but it reversed a significant decline in 2018.
Eric Russell
Staff Writer
Eric Russell has been a general assignment reporter at the Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram since 2012 and has been a journalist in Maine since 2004. Because he doesn’t have a specific geographic or topical area to cover, Eric often is free to roam the state in pursuit of the most interesting stories, whether it’s tackling the big topic of the day or chasing ideas that fall just outside the boundaries of everyday news. His favorite assignments are ones where he can leave the office and meet with people in their homes or their workplaces to talk about their struggles and challenges – and sometimes their triumphs. Or to try and answer complicated questions.
Eric grew up in Southern Maine, went to college at the University of Maine and worked in Bangor for eight years before joining the Press Herald. He lives in Brunswick with his wife, a school teacher, and two daughters.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Antibody testing for coronavirus offered in Maine – with cautions
Several medical practices are offering the tests as a way to determine whether a patient has been exposed to the virus, but the tests lack FDA approval, and doctors note that immunity after infection has not been proven.
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Posted inLocal & State, News
State challenged to gauge spread of virus, beyond confirmed cases
The Maine CDC has begun tracking a new category – probable cases – to help health officials see more than ‘a part of the iceberg.’
Posted inLocal & State, News
Mills says virus reopening plan will rely on case data, but specifics are unclear
The administration says it will monitor critical epidemiological data, but the plan has no specific numbers for the desired case trends, testing availability and the capacity of track-and-trace testing.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Three new deaths, 28 more confirmed cases of coronavirus in Maine
Maine’s CDC director warns that firm predictions are for ‘zealots and charlatans,’ and we’ll only know when the state peaks after the fact.
Posted inBusiness, Local & State
Gov. Janet Mills releases outline for reopening Maine’s economy without setting criteria or dates
Janet Mills said the decision will be grounded in science, but she would not answer whether she will follow the specific criteria agreed upon by most public health experts: two weeks of declining cases, widespread testing, track and tracing of people exposed to the virus.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Five new deaths from coronavirus in Maine, all at Scarborough veterans home
Thirty new confirmed cases bring the state’s total to 937, with three-quarters of them in Cumberland, York and Kennebec counties.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Three deaths reported in long-term care facilities; Maine’s total now 39
The state also reports 19 more confirmed cases and 907 overall since the outbreak first hit. Of those, 455 have recovered.
Posted inLocal & State, News
State officials say White House wrong on Maine’s testing capacity
Maine CDC Director Dr. Nirav Shah says he’s frustrated that the Trump administration has put out information suggesting the state has more testing capacity than it actually does.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Overdose risk during pandemic is tragic reality for some families
Experts have warned that prolonged isolation and uncertainty is a bad combination for drug users and people in recovery, but it’s too early to tell if overdose deaths have increased.