COVID-19: Healthcare Providers

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COVID-19 Vaccines and Therapeutics

COVID-19 vaccination remains the best way to prevent infection, hospitalization, and death. Additionally, there are several medications that are highly effective at preventing the progression to severe disease. For information on COVID-19 vaccines and therapeutics, including clinician information sessions, refer to COVID-19 Vaccines and Therapeutics (Information for Providers).

Standing Order for SARS-CoV-2 Testing

On January 14, 2022, Maine CDC  issued a revised Standing Order (“Order”) that authorizes any health care provider or other trained personnel at a health care facility or medically-supervised COVID-19 collection site (collectively, “collection site”) in the state to collect and submit for laboratory analysis specimens to be tested using a SARS-CoV-2 PCR molecular or antigen test for any individual in accordance with the conditions of the Order. Read the Standing Order (PDF).

The Order is not meant to replace existing patient-provider relationships or provider-laboratory relationships.

The Order also authorizes the collection site that submitted the specimen for SARS-CoV-2 molecular or antigen testing under this Order to receive the results of the test directly from the testing laboratory. This Order further authorizes the laboratory that performed the molecular or antigen test for SARS-CoV-2 to provide test results directly to the individual who was tested, with the individual’s consent. 

Current Testing Guidelines for Maine's Health and Environmental Testing Laboratory (HETL)

In line with the Standing Order for COVID-19 Testing issued on January 14, 2022, Maine's Health and Environmental Testing Laboratory (HETL) will perform the SARS-CoV-2 molecular test on specimens collected from individuals who meet the eligibility criteria listed in the Standing Order. Read the Standing Order (PDF).

Maine CDC recommends following the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) Guidelines on the Diagnosis of COVID-19.  Read the IDSA Guidelines.

Accessing Testing At HETL.  If facility has not previously submitted specimens to HETL, please set up an account with HETL PRIOR to submitting any samples to HETL for COVID testing. To set up an account, please fax the following information to HETL at 207-287-1727: 

  • Facility name
  • Contact name
  • Facility address
  • Phone number, and
  • Confidential fax number. 

HETL will contact your facility with confirmation of receipt of the information. 

Once an account is established, specimens can be forwarded to HETL.

Testing forms and information on acceptable swabs and transport media are found on HETL's website. Download the information and forms (PDF).

Information for Providers Receiving Antigen Tests

For all Providers Receiving Antigen Tests

All negative and positive results must be reported to Maine CDC using REDCap.

Abbott BinaxNOW COVID-19 Antigen Tests

The Abbott BinaxNOW COVID-19 Ag Card is a rapid antigen test for detecting active infections of COVID-19. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), in partnership with the Department of Defense (DOD), is providing rapid point-of-care tests to communities across the United States. For questions about distribution, please visit the HHS site for rapid test distribution.

As noted in the FDA Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) (PDF), the BinaxNOW COVID-19 Ag Card is authorized for use at the Point of Care in patient care settings operation under a CLIA Certification Waiver, Certificate of Compliance, or Certificate of Accreditation.

Abbott has a training toolkit that can be used for self-guided training and is also holding webinars to reinforce key learnings related to BinaxNOW COVID-19 Ag Card and the NAVICA App. The following resources can be utilized by providers that receive the BinaxNOW tests:

Abbott technical support is available for questions: 1-800-257-9525.

AccessBio CareStart Antigen Tests

The AccessBio CareStart™ Antigen Rapid Diagnostic Test for the Detection of SARS-CoV-2 Antigen is a rapid antigen test for detecting active infections of COVID-19.

The following resources can be utilized by providers that receive the AccessBio CareStart tests:

The CareStart™ COVID-19 Antigen test Letter of Authorization, along with the authorized Fact Sheet for Healthcare Providers, the authorized Fact Sheet for Patients, and authorized labeling are available on the U.S. FDA website. Visit the AccessBio CareStart Website here.

Popular Resources

Health Alert Network (HAN) Advisories

Access all Maine CDC Health Alert Network Advisories here.

The MaineHAN is a secure, web-based communication system used by Maine CDC and its partners to exchange information within and between their respective agencies. Physicians, nurses, hospital staff, emergency preparedness and mangement personal, first responders, and other public health workers are encouraged to sign up.