Important Updates for Our Community

A Message From The Town

The Town Hall is open from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday through Friday, but the lobby is closed to customers.  Call 207-367-2351 ext. 12 if you need assistance.  Please be patient with us, as restrictions surrounding COVID-19 safety protocols may impact our ability to deliver services in a timely manner.

Deer Isle and Stonington were fortunate to have avoided significant incidence of the Coronavirus since it was first detected in the US early in 2020. As with the 1917 Spanish Flu pandemic, colder weather and ongoing personal interaction have caused a dramatic increase in infections across Europe, Canada, the United States and now Deer Isle and Stonington.

Nursing homes are canaries in the mineshaft. They don’t cause the problem, but are a clear warning that we are all at risk. In most cases one or more non-residents are infected in the community, and while still pre-symptomatic bring the disease into the facility. The elderly residents are easily infected due to their weak immune systems and confinement indoors.

At this time approximately half of Island Nursing Home (INH) residents have contracted Coronavirus 19. INH staff is impacted in several ways. Several staffers have tested positive while others have chosen to take leave to reduce their risk and protect their families. The remaining staff are working diligently to separate residents into wards based on COVID testing. Regional and state institutions are stepping in to assist with staffing, supplies and patient care.

In an effort to improve coordination, Hancock County Emergency Management and Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention brought together health care providers, public health officials, town leaders, first responders and scientists. MaineCDC and INH are contact tracing to identify others that have been in close contact with the staff and are arranging testing. Deer Isle and Stonington are engaged and ready to provide any support that we can muster. We greatly appreciate the efforts of INH and the stakeholder team that are working to protect our health.
This is a difficult situation, but one that was anticipated as nursing homes everywhere are affected. Now is the time for the wider community to do our part. The leaders of Deer Isle and Stonington are calling on all residents to embrace the following practices:

- Stay home as much as possible to avoid exposure to the virus.
- Avoid all unnecessary indoor contact with people other than your immediate household.
- Wear a cloth or paper mask when you are near people outside your immediate household. The mask must cover your mouth and nose at all times to be effective.
- Even while wearing a mask, maintain a twelve-foot social distance whenever possible, and never less than six feet.
- Practice good hygiene with frequent handwashing and use of hand sanitizers.
- Engage in outdoor activities such as walking for your physical and mental well being. This is the safest place to be when socializing.
- Stay in touch with friends and family by telephone and digital communications. We need each other, but have to work together to be safe.

We have posted information about resources such as medical contacts, testing services, curbside sales, grocery delivery and more on our website www.townofdeerisle.org/health. Our local businesses need your support and will try to meet your needs while keeping you safe.

COVID-19 Business Update

A list of resources and information that will help you and your employees overcome difficulties in this time.

• Small business loans (SBA, FAME)  *Contact your lender for assistance with these programs*
• Unemployment benefits
• Small Business Administration Office of Advocacy
• Penobscot Bay Press Community Concierge - a listing of all businesses open on the peninsula, and their operating restrictions.  

Island-wide COVID-19 Resources

This document can help you weather the storm a little safer and a little healthier by providing you with updates from local businesses on hours of operation and other operating changes. Use these resources to help you shelter in place, social distance, and get the help you need.

• Island-wide resources
• State-wide resources