PORTLAND, Maine (AP) Maine has launched a grant program designed to help health care organizations continue serving patients during the coronavirus pandemic.

Democratic Gov. Janet Mills says the program is backed by $30 million in federal relief dollars and is called the Maine Health Care Financial Relief Program.

State officials say the grant program is open to hospitals as well as nursing, congregate care and behavioral health facilities and community service providers.

Mills says the grants can go as high as $100,000.

The state is launching the grant program as cases are climbing in the state.

Maine authorities have reported more than 11,900 coronavirus cases since the start of the pandemic.