A survey by Maine Emergency Medical Services shows that 96.9% of EMS licensees have been vaccinated, easing concerns that the state’s vaccination mandate might result in the loss of workers.
Eric Russell
Staff Writer
Eric Russell has been a general assignment reporter at the Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram since 2012 and has been a journalist in Maine since 2004. Because he doesn’t have a specific geographic or topical area to cover, Eric often is free to roam the state in pursuit of the most interesting stories, whether it’s tackling the big topic of the day or chasing ideas that fall just outside the boundaries of everyday news. His favorite assignments are ones where he can leave the office and meet with people in their homes or their workplaces to talk about their struggles and challenges – and sometimes their triumphs. Or to try and answer complicated questions. Eric grew up in Southern Maine, went to college at the University of Maine and worked in Bangor for eight years before joining the Press Herald. He lives in Brunswick with his wife, a school teacher, and two daughters.
Posted inHealth, Local & State, News
Pediatricians and schools prepare for rollout of vaccines for younger children
Transmission of the virus remains high in Maine, especially in areas with the lowest vaccination rates.
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Posted inLocal & State, News
COVID-19 patient counts in Maine hospitals spike again
The number of people hospitalized with the virus had dropped as low as 152 on Oct. 7 but has rebounded and exceeded 200 on Monday.
Posted inLocal & State, News
City searches for shelter options as asylum seekers continue to arrive in Portland
In a report to city councilors, the social services director said 478 asylum seekers, most from central Africa, are either staying at the family shelter or in local hotels.
Posted inLocal & State, New England, News
Biden’s decision to restore marine monument off Cape Cod is praised and criticized in Maine
Conservation groups hailed the decision as crucial to protecting species that are in peril from climate change, while Gov. Janet Mills criticized the move.
Posted inHealth, Local & State, News
Hospitalizations decline even as COVID-19 cases and school outbreaks continue to mount
Cases remain high in Maine even as transmission has slowed in other parts of the country. But hospitalizations have decreased by 30% over the last 2 weeks.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Maine reports another spike in COVID-19 cases and deaths, but backlog is nearly gone
The state reported 836 new cases and 29 additional deaths, but many of the cases and deaths date to previous weeks.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Schools and Education
USM President Cummings will step down at end of the school year
Glenn Cummings took over in 2015 and has helped transform the university during a challenging period. He plans to return to a faculty position.
Posted inHealth, Local & State, News
COVID-19 vaccinations in Maine increased by 87% last week
The jump over the previous week was driven largely by third doses for older and immunocompromised Mainers. But the timing suggests that the Oct. 1 deadline for health care workers to get vaccinated also was a factor.
Posted inHealth, Local & State, News
Maine hospitals have fewer than 200 COVID patients for the first time in nearly 3 weeks
As of Monday, 192 people in Maine were in the hospital, including 61 in critical care.