Doctors and other experts say the problem could persist through the winter cold-and-flu season but should not last as long as other recent shortages of baby formula.
Health
Flu cases, hospitalizations surpass prepandemic levels
Even if clinicians and public health experts had expected to see a surge in cases this season, flu and other respiratory viruses, such as COVID-19, are still flooding emergency departments, urgent cares and primary care physicians’ offices with sick patients.
Health care networks, universities to receive $2.3 million in funding to expand rural education opportunities
Collaborative groups of health care networks, the University of Maine System and St. Joseph’s College will receive a combined total of nearly $2.3 million to expand medical training in communities like Farmington, Norway, Bridgton and Blue Hill.
Advocacy groups rebuke calls to expand Maine’s progressive treatment program
More mental health advocacy groups are speaking out against Maine’s so-called progressive treatment program following the Thanksgiving Day murder of Gabriel Damour in Poland.
Health officials warn that Maine is facing a potent flu season
The Maine Department of Health and Human Services said all 16 counties are seeing ‘a sustained increase in flu activity,’ and reported cases and hospitalizations have both climbed steeply over the past couple of weeks.
Influenza cases in Maine doubled in the last week
Maine recorded 1,720 new cases of influenza during the week ending Dec. 2, and flu-related hospitalizations nearly quadrupled from the previous week, going from 17 to 63.
Pfizer asks FDA to clear updated COVID shot for kids under 5
Children ages 6 months through 4 years already are supposed to get three extra-small doses of the original Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine.
More than half of all flu cases reported this season are from last week
There have been more than 1,650 influenza cases reported to the Maine CDC since early October, with nearly 860 reported last week.
COVID deaths skew older, reviving questions about ‘acceptable loss’
The pandemic has become a plague of the elderly, with nearly 9 out of 10 deaths in people 65 or older.
Maine health care nonprofit receives $9 million windfall from billionaire MacKenzie Scott
The Maine Health Access Foundation was the only Maine recipient in the latest round of gifts from the philanthropist, who is giving away much of her fortune.