The Maine Dental Association says only emergency care can be given during the first phase of Gov. Janet Mills’ reopening plan for coronavirus, so preventive and other routine care may be delayed further.

Some who need treatment for appendicitis, chest pains or stroke-like symptoms are reluctant to seek it, putting their long-term health at risk, doctors say.

The director of Maine’s CDC says the options include opening certain areas of the state in a staged approach, but neither he nor the governor would provide more details of the plan.

Public health experts cite key criteria including widespread testing and tracing, and reduced coronavirus cases over a sustained period. Gov. Janet Mills says she agrees, but she won’t commit to particular benchmarks for moving forward.

Remdesivir has shown some effectiveness in initial research, but more clinical trials are required.