The town has been testing wastewater for the virus throughout the pandemic and tracked the omicron wave rise and fall in real time.
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 inHealth, Local & State, News, Schools & Education
School outbreaks and hospitalizations rise again as omicron keeps hold on Maine
The number of students and school staff infected by the virus has increased 75% in two weeks, according to state data.
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Posted inHealth, Local & State, News
State announces details of Guard deployment to help hospitals handle surge
Meanwhile, testing of wastewater for COVID-19 gives some reason for hope that the omicron wave won’t last as long as the delta surge.
Posted inBusiness, Health, Local & State, News
Maine Med nurses’ union criticizes working conditions at hospital under pandemic pressure
The protest, part of a national ‘day of action’ organized by the parent union of the Maine State Nurses Association, comes as the association negotiates its first contract with Maine Medical Center.
Posted inHealth, Local & State, News
As Maine hospitals see another surge of COVID patients, hopeful signs emerge
Preliminary trends in other parts of the Northeast indicate that Maine could see a downturn in COVID-19 cases in the coming weeks.
Posted inHealth, Local & State, News
Gov. Mills to send 169 more National Guard members to help Maine’s hospitals
It is the second time in a month that Mills has announced the deployment of Guard members to assist hospitals.
Posted inHealth, Local & State, News
COVID-19 hospitalizations exceed 400 for the first time in Maine
There were 403 patients hospitalized with the disease Monday, but the number of ICU patients has remained steady.
Posted inLocal & State
How omicron is changing what we know about COVID-19
After nearly two years of living with coronavirus, experts say we have to relearn ways to track its progress and measure its severity.
Posted inHealth, Local & State, News
Maine hospitals report spike in staff absences caused by COVID-19
MaineHealth and Northern Light Health are urging Mainers to get vaccinated to ease the burden on health care workers caused by the surge likely being fueled by the omicron variant.
Posted inLocal & State
COVID-19 hospitalizations near record high as Maine reports 25 more deaths
The number of patients edges closer to the pandemic peak reached last month.