Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information

Call today to schedule your flu shot!

As we wait for the COVID-19 vaccines to be made available to everyone, we encourage you to consider getting your seasonal flu shot. COVID-19 and influenza both affect the respiratory system, and public health officials caution that increased community spread of both illnesses could overwhelm health centers across the country. You can protect yourself and others by scheduling your vaccination today!

COVID-19 Vaccine Information

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information

New: COVID-19 At-Home Test Kits are Covered at No Cost to MaineCare Members

MaineCare will now cover the cost of at-home COVID-19 test kits. Patients must present their MaineCare card to the pharmacy when purchasing a test to receive the cost coverage.

Learn more from the governor's order

In response to the Novel (New) Coronavirus (COVID – 19), Greater Portland Health, as with other Maine Health Providers, is taking necessary precautions to make sure our patients and staff are safe.

To keep up to date with information surrounding COVID – 19 we highly recommend reading the CDC’s (Center for Disease Control and Prevention) related webpage, which is regularly updated; for information pertaining to the coronavirus in Maine we also recommend reading the Maine CDC website.

Using information from the CDC we’ve provided basic information in regards to COVID – 19.

What is the coronavirus? (COVID – 19)

A novel coronavirus is a new coronavirus that has not been previously identified. The virus causing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), is not the same as common coronaviruses that cause mild illness, like the common cold.

Patients with COVID-19 will be assessed and cared for differently than patients with common coronavirus diagnoses.

Source: CDC.gov

What are the signs and symptoms of coronavirus?

Reported illnesses have ranged from mild symptoms to severe illness and death for confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases.

The following symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure.

Fever
Cough
Shortness of breath

Source CDC.gov

How can I protect myself and others?

Clean your hands often
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom, before eating, and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
- If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
Avoid Close Contact with people who are sick

Source: CDC.gov

In addition to these preventive measures the CDC also has listed safety measures to protect others – a few include:

Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze or use the inside of your elbow – throw tissue in trash.
Stay home when you’re sick.

Source: CDC.gov

How does the coronavirus spread?

The coronavirus has been seen to spread mainly from person-to person this can include:

Between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet).
Through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes - These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs.

Source: CDC.gov

I feel sick, and think I could have COVID – 19 - What should I do?

If you’re sick and experiencing symptoms of a fever, cough, or shortness of breath please make sure to call before coming in. A Greater Portland Health provider will then ask you the questions seen in the link below to help assess your condition. This will help us take steps to ensure not only your safety, but the safety of other staff and patients and keep them from infection or exposure.

Screening Questions

I would like to have a Telehealth appointment instead of physically coming in? How does this work?

Maintaining our relationship and continuity of care with you, even when an in-person visit is not possible or not necessary, is important to us during this time. We are now offering Telehealth appointments through Zoom video calls (including phone conversations) to continue to offer preventative care, well visits, and care for those with chronic conditions.

Telehealth (Zoom) and phone calls are being used to replace face-to-face visits for all visits that are not related to an acute or infectious disease illness. Some examples of Telemedicine appointments include (not a complete list):

Chronic Disease Management (Diabetes, Asthma, HIV/AIDS, etc.)
Primary Care Well Visits
Psychiatric
Mental Health
Substance Use
MAT
Medication Refills & Management

To schedule a Telehealth appointment or for questions related to our Telehealth services please call (207) 874-2141.

I need to come in to one of Greater Portland Health's sites - are there any guidelines I need to follow to keep myself and others safe?

In-Person Visit Guide

Adjusted In-Person/ Telehealth Appointment Guide

Guide

Post - COVID-19 Test Guides

If you recently received a COVID-19 test at GPH or another location, please view the following guidelines for different possible test results. It is possible to receive a negative test result, but, based on your clinical symptoms, your primary care provider determines that COVID-19 is likely. If this is the case, see "Negative Test, but Clinical Positive" below. There is also a distinction between receiving a positive test result while experiencing symptoms (symptomatic) or while not experiencing symptoms (asymptomatic).

Negative Test Result

Negative Test, but Clinically Positive

Positive Test (Asymptomatic/No Symptoms)

Positive Test (Symptomatic)

Resource Pages/Packets:

If you have a possible or confirmed case of COVID-19, we’ve put together an information packet below using information from the CDC; it provides information on the following:

COVID-19 Resource Packet

An Update From Our Behavioral Health Team