Maine schools prepare for rise in COVID-19 as students return [Video]

BANGOR, Maine — Officials at Northern Light Health have reported a rise in respiratory illnesses across Maine, including COVID-19.

With the school year about to begin, these cases could soon be making their way into the classroom. 

“We want to minimize all of that best we can,” Dr. James Jarvis, Medical Director of Clinical Education for Northern Light Health’s Eastern Maine Medical Center said.

Jarvis said they are seeing a summer surge in COVID-19, influenza, and other respiratory viruses.

“I think we should start to be a little bit more concerned,” Jarvis said. “I’ve been telling my patients who are at risk for severe disease from any one of these kinds of viruses that they should probably go back to wearing masks if they haven’t been, especially when they’re going to be in an indoor setting.”

Jarvis said if you have symptoms of a respiratory …