COVID-19: Healthcare Providers

On this page:

• COVID-19 Vaccines and Therapeutics
• Standing Order
• COVID-19 Testing at Maine State Lab
• Maine CDC Point of Care Test Reporting
• Popular Resources
• Health Alert Network (HAN) Advisories

 

COVID-19 Vaccines and Therapeutics

COVID-19 vaccination remains the best way to prevent infection, hospitalization, and death. Additionally, there are several medications that are highly effective at preventing the progression to severe disease. For information on COVID-19 vaccines and therapeutics, including clinician information sessions, refer to COVID-19 Vaccines and Therapeutics (Information for Providers).

Standing Order for SARS-CoV-2 Testing

On January 14, 2022, Maine CDC  issued a revised Standing Order (“Order”) that authorizes any health care provider or other trained personnel at a health care facility or medically-supervised COVID-19 collection site (collectively, “collection site”) in the state to collect and submit for laboratory analysis specimens to be tested using a SARS-CoV-2 PCR molecular or antigen test for any individual in accordance with the conditions of the Order. Read the Standing Order (PDF).

The Order is not meant to replace existing patient-provider relationships or provider-laboratory relationships.

The Order also authorizes the collection site that submitted the specimen for SARS-CoV-2 molecular or antigen testing under this Order to receive the results of the test directly from the testing laboratory. This Order further authorizes the laboratory that performed the molecular or antigen test for SARS-CoV-2 to provide test results directly to the individual who was tested, with the individual’s consent. 

COVID-19 Testing at Maine's Health and Environmental Testing Laboratory (HETL)

Maine's Health and Environmental Testing Laboratory (HETL) will no longer process routine COVID-19 samples received after December 28, 2022. Maine CDC encourages facilities to secure alternative COVID-19 laboratory testing options to avoid potential interruption to testing prior to December 28, 2022.

Maine CDC recommends following the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) Guidelines on the Diagnosis of COVID-19.  Read the IDSA Guidelines.

Maine CDC Point of Care (POC) Test Reporting

Maine CDC requests that all providers using Point of Care (POC) tests report results through the REDCap online reporting system. For information on how to register and report, visit Maine CDC Point of Care Test Reporting (PDF)

All negative and positive results must be reported to Maine CDC using REDCap.