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A shortage of nurses, aides and other staff at nursing homes across Maine is worsening amid a deadly COVID-19 pandemic that has exacerbated the industry’s long-standing workforce challenges in the nation’s oldest state.
“The situation is dire,” said John Orestis, president and CEO of North Country Associates, the state’s largest Maine-based long-term care provider. “North Country, between the homes that it owns and manages, has 26 buildings and I would say a large majority … of them have extremely difficult situations.”
More than one third of nursing homes in Maine reported shortages of both nurses and aides at the beginning of this month, while more than 20 percent were short on other staff, according to reports filed with federal regulators.
Vaccination Begins For Maine Nursing Homes, But Hurdles Remain
Starting Monday, it’s nursing home staff and residents’ turns to get the COVID-19 vaccine a week after immunizations began for frontline hospital workers. But the rollout at skilled nursing facilities won’t be as swift as it was for hospitals while many in nursing homes are eager for the extra protection from the vaccine, there are concerns that some may not be willing to get it.
Among the people who are thrilled to get the vaccine is Diane Calder, a resident at The Cedar’s nursing home in Portland, one of the few facilities in Maine to begin COVID-19 vaccinations on Monday.
Maine long-term care facilities start vaccinating residents
During the Maine CDC COVID-19 briefing, Dr. Nirav Shah said some people at long-term care facilities received the Pfizer vaccine Monday morning. Author: Roslyn Flaherty (NEWS CENTER Maine) Published: 5:37 PM EST December 21, 2020 Updated: 9:36 AM EST December 22, 2020
MAINE, Maine Residents at long-term care facilities in Maine started receiving the Pfizer vaccine Monday morning, Maine CDC Director Dr. Nirav Shah said.
It s part of a federal partnership with pharmacy chains.
Shah said out of 12,675 doses the Maine CDC received last week, more than half is going to long-term care facilities.
Durgin Pines, a long-term care facility in Kittery, was supposed to be vaccinating its residents and staff Monday, but the administrator said the vaccine clinic was canceled and will be rescheduled to December 29. She said the Walgreens distribution hub has not yet received the
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