Maine to start coronavirus testing at state lab
The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention on Thursday said it expects to begin testing for coronavirus at a state laboratory in Augusta in coming days, as a dozen samples from individuals in Maine are sent to the national CDC for testing.
Maine has no confirmed cases of the virus, known as COVID-19, at this time. However, in February the Maine CDC reported that one individual who met earlier federal testing criteria showed no exposure to the virus.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Wednesday updated guidelines to expand the criteria for what makes individuals with symptoms of the virus eligible for COVID-19 testing. Symptoms can include fever, cough and shortness of breath.
In response to the expansion of federal criteria, more individuals in Maine are being tested.
Maine CDC said it has received new testing equipment, and that it will inform the public if positive tests are confirmed.
The state has also promised to give regular updates on testing recommendations, and post the number of positive results and any other updates online.
The agency noted that the number of requests for testing will increase as the situation continues to rapidly evolve globally and in the United States. Moving forward, it said, tests will be conducted at both Maine CDC and U.S. CDC to facilitate prompt results.
Individuals who exhibit symptoms are urged to contact their health care providers, who will make the initial determination on whether testing is advisable.
In cases where it is, medical providers will alert the Maine CDC to coordinate testing. As appropriate, health providers will take samples and submit them to Maine CDC.
Maine CDC said it continues comprehensive planning to ensure Maine is ready should the virus affect people here.
Gov. Janet Mills has also convened a Coronavirus Response Team, led by Maine CDC Director Nirav Shah, charged with coordinating state government's response across departments and local agencies and health authorities to the potential spread of the virus.
Businesses in Maine and elsewhere are also feeling some effects of the outbreak, as Mainebiz reported earlier this week. That includes Portland-based technology company Tilson, which employs 630 people in more than 20 locations nationwide.
"We will be curtailing some business travel, conference attendance, external meeting visitors and encouraging use of telepresence technologies, including those for medical visits," Tilson CEO Josh Broder told Mainebiz earlier this week.
And in Bar Harbor, Jackson Laboratory is reviewing the latest information and scrutinizing staff travel.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control website shows 99 coronavirus cases in the United States and 10 total deaths.
In Europe, the Vatican reported its first case of the virus on Friday, and the European Parliament has suspended visitor access to its buildings in Strasbourg, France, and Brussels, Belgium, and moved next week's plenary session to Brussels from France amid concerns about the virus spreading.
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