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Maine purchases rapid COVID-19 tests for child care facilities and future pandemic preparedness

Maine purchases rapid COVID-19 tests for child care facilities and future pandemic preparedness

Photo: clipart.com


AUGUSTA, Maine (WGAN) The governor’s administration says it’s ordered more than one million over-the-counter rapid COVID-19 tests.

The administration of Governor Janet Mills said Wednesday that the Maine Department of Health and Human Services will begin distributing up to 250,000 federally-funded tests this week to child care facilities to limit the spread of the virus and minimize the impact of job disruptions for parents and employers.

It allows for a new “test to stay” option for children by allowing them to remain in child care by being tested regularly even if they’ve been identified as a close contact.

The Maine DHHS will reserve the remainder of the tests to be used in the event of another surge in cases.

The state also announced Wednesday it would continue with Project ACT, a pilot program that will make an additional 300,000 tests available to Mainers for free via mail delivery.

Every Maine household is eligible to order one set of five at-home rapid tests. You can order yours here: www.accessCOVIDTests.org.

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