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!
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:
https://drme.org/assets/uncategorized/COVID-19-At-Home-Test-Kits-Members.pdf
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.
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.
Source CDC.gov
How can I protect myself and others?
Source: CDC.gov
In addition to these preventive measures the CDC also has listed safety measures to protect others – a few include:
Source: CDC.gov
How does the coronavirus spread?
The coronavirus has been seen to spread mainly from person-to person this can include:
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.
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):
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?
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).
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 >
Maine COVID-19 Response
Government Page
Stay Healthy at Home Guide
Resources for Parents with COVID-19
Accessing Basic Needs:
Cumberland County Food Access Resources (Including Information on School Meals) >
Maine Equal Justice – COVID – 19 Resources >
MAS Community Health (Essential Pantry Pick-Up at Westbrook Office) >
The Opportunity Alliance Resources >
Pine Tree Legal Updated Phone Hours >
Portland Office of Economic Opportunity Multilingual COVID - 19 Resource Guide >
Health Care Coverage during COVID-19 >
South Portland Food Cupboard COVID-19 Updates >
Mental Health Resources:
GPH COVID-19 Behavioral Health Resource >
Mental Health America - Mental Health and COVID-19 Resource >
National Alliance on Mental Illness Maine (Helpline) >
Talking to Children About COVID-19 (from the National Association of School Psychologists) >
SAMHSA Taking Care of Your Behavioral Health >
Disaster Distress Hotline: 1-800-985-5990 or Text "TalkWithUs" to 66746
Recovery Resources:
Alcoholics Anonymous Hotline (Speak to a person in recovery for support): 1-800-737-6237
Narcotics Anonymous Hotline: 1-800-974-0062
Portland Recovery Community Center (Online meetings and virtual events)
Substance Use Disorder Virtual Recovery Supports
Unity Recovery All Recovery Meetings
School Resources:
Portland School Department (Resources/Updates)
South Portland School Department (Resources/Updates)
Westbrook School Department (Resources/Updates)
COVID-19: Symptoms to Look For and Where to Go For Care (City of Portland Minority Health Program)
- English
- Russian
- Spanish
Other Related Resources:
CyraCom's COVID-19 Educational Video for Deaf and Hard of Hearing (American Sign Language translated) >
Maine Access Immigrant Network Multi-Lingual COVID-19- Related Videos >
Homelessness and the COVID-19 Crisis >
Hesperian Health Guides (COVID-19 Information in 32 languages) >
GPH COVID-19 Behavioral Health Resource:
- French
- Lingala
COVID-19 Facts from CDC:
- English
- French
- Arabic
- Kinyarwanda
- Lingala
- Portuguese
- Somali
- Swahili
Handwashing Posters from CDC:
- English
- Spanish
- Chinese
- French
- Urdu
- Arabic
- Bengali
- Portuguese
Resource Websites:
U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
World Health Organization (WHO)
Maine Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Portlandmaine.gov
Catholic Charities Maine (Translated Resources & Audio)
Portland Office of Economic Opportunity (Resource page with translations)
COVID-19 Information in Multiple Languages (Harvard COVID-19 Health Literacy Project)
Preble Street COVID – 19 (Volunteers & donations needed)
Maine. Gov (Citizen Alert Portal)
City of South Portland (Resources/Updates)
City of Westbrook (Resources/Updates)
Spurwink
The Opportunity Alliance
Through These Doors