The virus, which causes a fever and flu-like symptoms, is more common in the upper Midwest and there are currently no known human cases in Maine but state officials are warning residents to take precautions against mosquito bites.
Joe Lawlor
Staff Writer
Joe Lawlor writes about health and human services for the Press Herald. A 24-year newspaper veteran, Lawlor has worked in Ohio, Michigan and Virginia before relocating to Maine in 2013 to join the Press Herald. He is still considered “from away” but since then, he has learned what a “dooryard” is, eaten “whoopie pies” drank Moxie and boiled some “lobstahs.” The stories he enjoys most are when he learns something and meeting inspiring people.
He lives in South Portland - aka “SoPo” - with his wife, Melanie, and two school-age children.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Invasive freshwater zebra mussels creeping closer to Maine
State officials call attention to a new law that requires boaters to drain all water from their boats to prevent the tiny mollusks from spreading here.
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Posted inHealth, Local & State
Maine experiencing an uptick in COVID-19, but new vaccine booster is on the way
Latest booster shot targeting the Eris variant should be available in late September or early October.
Posted inBusiness, Local & State
Martin’s Point fraud settlement highlights shortcomings in Medicare Advantage program
Overcharging in Medicare Advantage plans has been happening across the country, experts say, although the Maine case is one of the largest uncovered by the Justice Department.
Posted inBusiness, Local & State, News
Martin’s Point Health Care to pay $22 million to settle Medicare fraud claims
An agreement announced Monday, the largest Medicare fraud settlement in state history, includes a $3.8 million payment to a whistleblower who sued Martin’s Point in 2018 alleging that it was miscoding the health conditions of Medicare Advantage patients.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Lyme disease cases on near-record pace in Maine as tick population thrives
The number of Lyme disease cases in Maine so far this year is just behind last year’s record pace, and the recent wet weather isn’t helping.
Posted inHealth, Local & State
Health care workers at refugee camp inspired career of Maine’s new CDC director
Dr. Puthiery Va’s family fled Cambodia and she was born in a refugee camp in Thailand before coming to the United States.
Posted inLocal & State
Mills administration names new director of Maine CDC
Dr. Puthiery Va, currently leading public health for the Navajo Nation in Arizona, will take over as Maine’s top public health official on Aug. 28.
Posted inLocal & State, News
New law will put more dollars into pockets of older, low-income Mainers
About 19,000 Maine residents over 65, many of them low-income women living alone, will be made eligible for the program under the new law.
Posted inLocal & State
As smoke shrouds Maine skies, scientist foresees more on the horizon
‘What we are seeing are climate change impacts in the here and now,’ says Gail Carlson, a Colby College professor.