COVID-19 Resources and Supports

As communities across Maine continue to see high rates of COVID-19 infection, illness, and hospitalization, Healthy Acadia urges our community members to continue to follow recommended health precautions and guidance around masking, testing, and vaccination.

Choosing the right mask for you

Some masks offer higher levels of protection than others, however, some may be more difficult for you to to tolerate or wear consistently. Wearing a mask that fits well, is most protective, and that you will wear consistently is a critical public health tool for reducing spread of COVID-19. It is most important to wear a well-fitting mask or respirator correctly that is comfortable for you and that provides good protection.

Click here for the CDC’s updated mask recommendations.

Peer Support Line

Healthy Acadia’s COVID-19 Vaccine Peer Support Line to share trusted health information and resources and help community members overcome hesitancy about the COVID-19 vaccine, especially as it pertains to youth vaccination.

Call or text (207) 271-6023, between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m., Monday through Friday.

This outreach effort, supported by a grant from the Maine Department of Health and Human Services, is geared towards opening up community conversation in a confidential and judgment-free space. 

COVID-19 testing

The Biden administration has announced that every household in the U.S. is now eligible to order four free, at-⁠home, rapid antigen COVID-⁠19 tests. Limit order per residential address. To place your order, visit https://www.covidtests.gov.

Healthy Acadia also has a limited number of COVID-19 rapid antigen self test kits available at no cost to residents of Hancock and Washington counties. The tests can be self-administered at home and provide results within 15 minutes. Self test kits are available from Healthy Acadia while supplies last through an initiative funded by the Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) COVID-19 Vaccine Equity Program.

Click here to request a COVID-19 self test kit, or call/text our COVID-19 Vaccine Peer Support Line, (207) 271-6023, between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Can you help us continue to offer test kits for those who need them?

Your donation in any amount will enable Healthy Acadia to continue to provide free-of-charge COVID-19 rapid antigen self-test kits to residents in Hancock and Washington counties beyond the program's initial grant funding to support the initiative, which is rapidly running out. Donate online at bit.ly/HACovidtest. To discuss further ways to support this effort, call (207) 667-7171 Ext. 210.

The state has testing sites in many communities and allows anyone over the age of 12 months to receive a test without a physician order or referral. It remains advised to contact your medical provider to determine whether you should be tested.

Click here to find your nearest testing location.

Isolation and quarantine recommendations

If you are infected or test positive for COVID-19

  • The CDC recommends that people infected with COVID-19 isolate for 5 days.

  • After day 5, if you are asymptomatic or your symptoms are resolving (without fever for 24 hours), follow that by 5 days of wearing a mask when around others.

If you are exposed to COVID-19

  • If you are unvaccinated or more than 6 months out from your second mRNA dose (or more than 2 months after the J&J vaccine) and you are not yet boosted, CDC recommends a quarantine for 5 days followed by strict mask use for an additional 5 days.

  • If a 5-day quarantine is not feasible, it is imperative that an exposed person wear a well-fitting mask at all times when around others for 10 days after exposure.

  • People who have received their booster shot do not need to quarantine following an exposure but should wear a mask for 10 days after the exposure.

  • For all those exposed, best practice would also include a test for COVID-19 at day 5 after exposure.

  • If symptoms occur, individuals should immediately quarantine until a negative test confirms symptoms are not attributable to COVID-19.

COVID-19 vaccinations

  • Individuals aged 5 years and older are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

  • Individuals aged 18 years and older are eligible to receive a COVID-19 booster if:

    • It has been at least five months since their second dose of the Moderna vaccine; or

    • It has been at least two months since their single-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

  • Individuals aged 12-17 years are eligible to receive a COVID-19 booster if:

    • It has been at least five months since their second dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine.

To find a vaccine site nearest you, click here. If you need help scheduling an appointment, call the Maine COVID-19 Community Vaccination Line at 1-888-445-4111.

Thank you for doing your part to keep our communities safe!

POSTTracey CarlsonCE, SPR, SB, HA, HFFA, HPE, AHE