Maine coronavirus update: Cancellations, event changes and growing worry

Courtesy / U.S. Centers for Disease Control The World Health Organization declared the novel coronavirus outbreak to be a pandemic.

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By Renee Cordes

With the coronavirus (COVID-19 outbreak now deemed a global pandemic by the World Health Organization, a growing number of Maine organizations are cancelling large gatherings, closing college campuses and opting to conduct business online.

Gov. Janet Mills on Thursday announced the first presumptive positive case of coronavirus in Maine, and a recommendation that all indoor gatherings of more than 250 people be prohibited. Sunday's Maine Statehood Day ceremony has also been postponed.

Even before the announcement, organizations around the state announced precautionary measures.

Mainebiz has rescheduled this evening's On the Road reception at Portland's Ocean Gateway Terminal. It will be held at date to be determined later. Close to 700 people had registered.

The Maine Real Estate and Development Association (MEREDA) has also called off its 35th anniversary gala that had been scheduled for March 26 at the same venue.

In an email to members, MEREDA said the gathering will be rescheduled when the U..S. Centers of Disease Control lifts its recommendations to postpone all non-essential meetings and functions.

Shelly Clark, MEREDA's vice president of operations, told Mainebiz via email Thursday that around 200 people had registered for the March 26 event.

But she said the organization had not yet made a decision regarding an event scheduled for March 19 with Portland Mayor Kate Snyder.

Elsewhere in Portland, the Maine Historical Association cancelled this evening's preview of its new bicentennial exhibition a little more than 24 hours in advance.

"Based on RSVPs," it said in an email, "we were expecting close to 200 people and are concerned about a crowd of that size in such close quarter." The group also underscored that it's committed to doing "what we can to help prevent the spread and ensure the health of our members, the public, and Maine community."

Nor will the Maine Red Claws basketball team play any more games this season, after the NBA G League team announced that it's suspending all games after Thursday night.

That echoed an NBA announcement about suspending its season after a Utah Jazz player tested positive for the coronavirus.

Mills' press conference in Augusta was in progress as the Mainebiz Daily Report went to press. She was joined by Maine CDC Director Dr. Nirav Shah, Department of Health and Human Services Commissioner Jeanne Lambrew and Financial Services Commissioner Kirsten Figueroa.

Maine will receive $4.6 million in federal funding to support its response to the coronavirus, it was announced on Wednesday. Mills said Wednesday the funds will help Maine prepare for and respond to the coronavirus.

Bowdoin, UMaine System measures

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control website lists 938 total coronavirus cases in the United States and 29 deaths. To date, here are reported cases in 38 states plus the District of Columbia.

Amid concerns about the virus spreading, colleges and universities across the country are closing campuses and moving to online education.

Bowdoin College campus in Brunswick, Maine.

File Photo / Renee Cordes

The 207-acre campus of Bowdoin College is in Brunswick.

In Maine, Bowdoin College announced plans to complete the spring semester through remote learning, and said it will prohibit student from returning to campus after spring break.

"We are a community that thrives on the personal interaction that is at the center of a Bowdoin education, and I have no illusions that switching to a remote-learning environment will replicate the experience of being on campus together," Bowdoin President Clayton Rose in a Wednesday note to the Bowdoin community.

"It is, however, the only way we can both confidently protect the health and safety of our community and allow our students to complete the semester with the least disruption possible in what is an extraordinary, very complicated, and uncertain situation," he added.

The University of Maine System undertook a similar move, announcing that it will transition all of its in-class programming to distance modalities when classes resume March 23 following spring break.

It also said said the universities will provide housing and meal options to students who must remain in or return to their on-campus residence due to personal circumstances.

The prospect of university students traveling domestically and internationally over spring break in light of the WHO's pandemic declaration prompted University of Maine System Chancellor Dannel Malloy to direct the transition to remote instruction and take steps to significantly limit occupancy in the university’s residence halls.

“The University of Maine System, with many of its 23,000 students expected to travel over spring break and 5,800 students living in close proximity in resident halls, is a unique Maine institution,” Malloy said. “We are fortunate that there are still no coronavirus cases in Maine and we must take all appropriate steps to limit exposure to the virus in the interest of preserving public health.”

Dunlap suggests BMV online services

Similarly, Maine Secretary of State is urging Mainers to use his department's online services.

"At a time when we are being asked to limit our exposure to other people, these services are more valuable than ever, giving all Mainers an option to conduct many types of motor vehicle transactions from their own home," Dunlap said in a Wednesday news release.

The Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles offers a wide range of services online, including license renewal, vehicle registration renewal and replacement titles.

All Bureau of Motor Vehicles offices continue to be open to the public during regular business hours at this time but recommend that adherence to CDC prevention guidelines for those who visit the offices.

Not all transactions can be conducted via the online services, including issuance of Real IDs, some license renewals and driver license testing.

Those who are unable to conduct their transactions online and have concerns about visiting a branch in person should call the BMV's main office at 207-624-9000.