Maine gets federal money to fight the new coronavirus

AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — Maine is getting $4.6 million from the federal government to help fight the coronavirus, Sens. Susan Collins and Angus King said.

The funding was made available through the $7.8 billion coronavirus appropriations package that passed Congress last week.

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As of Thursday, no one from Maine had tested positive for the virus that's responsible for the illness, COVID-19. But every other New England state is dealing with people who've tested positive.

For most people, the new coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia.

People with mild cases recover in about two weeks, while those with more severe illness may take three to six weeks to recover, according to the World Health Organization.

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The funding released Wednesday will allow Maine to carry out surveillance, epidemiology, laboratory work, infection control, mitigation, communications, and other preparedness and response activities.

“These funds will bolster our capacity to respond to the potential arrival of the virus in Maine and support our efforts to protect the health of Maine people and communities,” said Dr. Nirav Shah, director of the Maine Center for Disease Control.