March 19, 2020

Updated Guidance for COVID-19: Prioritization of Testing and Discontinuation of Home Isolation

US CDC's guidelines on Implementation of Mitigation Strategies for Communities with Local COVID-19 Transmission define Moderate community transmission as, "Widespread and/or sustained transmission with high likelihood or confirmed exposure within communal settings with potential for rapid increase in suspected cases." According to US CDC, at that level and when testing capacity is limited, public health control activities may require prioritization of testing to high-risk individuals.

Maine now meets US CDCs criteria for a Moderate level of community transmission. At present, a limited national supply of laboratory materials inhibits Maines testing capacity. Maine may also need to limit testing if such shortages continue. Therefore, consistent with US CDC guidelines, Maine is now creating a prioritization system to test to individuals in high-risk categories.

Advisory (PDF)