ICU demands hit near-record levels at many hospitals despite lower overall patient counts; Central Maine Medical Center sees record levels of both.
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Federal vaccine deliveries are expected to increase. Is Maine ready for them?
The state is still exploring options to expand capacity, but the 2 biggest health care organizations say they are prepared to accelerate vaccinations.
Disparity in vaccine distributions across Maine worsens – and explanations conflict
Bangor’s mass vaccination site scurries to fill open slots, while those in Scarborough and Westbrook lack enough vaccine to operate at capacity.
Blood shortage forces Maine Med to reschedule surgeries
The hospital says it rescheduled fewer than a dozen operations over the past three weeks because of a national supply chain shortage of blood products caused by severe weather.
Primary care doctors say they’re left out of vaccination efforts
Physicians not affiliated with hospitals or major health organizations say their patients are scared – and asking questions their caregivers can’t answer.
Hospitals bearing brunt of vaccine efforts as frustrations mount
Until vaccines are more plentiful, challenges are likely as the state rolls out vaccinations for older and at-risk Mainers.
Vaccine expansion plagued by uncertain supply, as COVID-19 cases remain high
It’s unclear when Maine will be able to obtain more doses and accelerate its efforts to vaccinate older residents, even as major health care networks make plans for vaccine clinics.
State may change hospitals’ vaccine guidelines to prioritize workers who face most risk
Maine’s CDC director says the state wants to be more explicit with hospitals about which health care workers should get priority for vaccination.
Testing capacity ‘crunched’ in some areas as demand increases, COVID-19 cases surge
Those with symptoms of the coronavirus generally face little to no delay obtaining tests, but the situation is different for some asymptomatic Mainers.
Sanford superintendent says flu vaccine provider failed to check for parents’ signature
Matt Nelson says three students got shots without their parents’ consent because the provider didn’t notice that the permission forms hadn’t been signed or the signature had been crossed out.