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Gov. Mills announces plan to quadruple state’s coronavirus testing capacity

Photo: U.S. CDC


AUGUSTA, Maine (WGAN) Governor Janet Mills’ administration has announced another step forward for coronavirus testing in Maine.

The governor’s office on Monday announced that the Maine CDC lab will be quadrupling it’s coronavirus testing capacity. It furthers work being done alongside IDEXX, which recently helped to more than triple the state’s overall testing capacity. The expansion will come in the form of a new mobile lab attached to the state lab, which will be able to process another 25,000 tests a week.

The governor’s administration says the Maine Department of Health and Human Services will utilize the lab by developing 20 “swab and send” locations, with the goal of allowing 90% of Maine residents to get tested within 30 minutes of their home. That’s in addition to about 40 such existing sites throughout Maine.

The plan, which goes into effect in July, is also aimed at allowing those at higher risk of exposure to get tested more easily. It will do that by providing a standing order to allow them to get tested without an order from a health care provider. Those impacted include health care workers, first responders and anyone else who is in regular contact with the public like grocery store workers and staff at lodging establishments.

“This expanded testing capacity represents another breakthrough for Maine in the fight against COVID-19,” said Governor Mills. “This expansion, along with new swab and send sites, is an important step forward in allowing more people across Maine to get tested and stay healthy. On behalf of this Administration and on behalf of all the people of Maine, I thank IDEXX for their continued partnership and their commitment to our state.”

“Access to timely, accurate, and affordable COVID-19 testing is central to protecting public health in the face of this pandemic,” said DHHS Commissioner Jeanne Lambrew. “This expansion builds on Maine’s progress to date and further supports our quick intervention to prevent the spread of this highly contagious virus.”

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