MAINE, USA — KEY MAINE CORONAVIRUS FACTS
- As of Sunday, 140 Mainers have died out of 5,288 total COVID-19 cases. 4,741 of these cases are confirmed by test and 547 are probable.
- 445 Mainers have been hospitalized, 4,567 Mainers have recovered.
- Stage 3 began on July 1; here are the Stage 3 reopening checklists for businesses
- VERIFY: Requirement to wear a face mask does not violate constitutional rights
- Maine is open for business, here's what you need to know
- Read about all the important coronavirus-related orders currently in place in Maine
- Going out? CDC shares tips to stay safe amid coronavirus pandemic
- Gov. Mills' administration releases guidance for town meetings and elections during COVID-19 pandemic
- Filing for unemployment still dominating discussions around Maine. Here's our story on how to file for Maine unemployment. You can scroll down for more resources available to Mainers
- If you are a business owner, please register your business. If you want to support a local business, enter your zip code and find out what’s OPEN NEAR YOU.
- Subscribe to 'break time with NEWS CENTER Maine' our new newsletter. Delivered to your email inbox for your break time.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 27
Maine CDC has no additional deaths to report of people with COVID-19. The state's total number of deaths remains to be 140.
There are 5,288 total cases of COVID-19 in Maine. 4,741 are confirmed and 547 are probable.
445 Mainers have been hospitalized at some point during their COVID-19 illness.
4,567 Mainers have recovered.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 26
Maine CDC has no additional deaths to report of people with COVID-19. The state's total number of deaths remains to be 140.
There are 5,260 total cases of COVID-19 in Maine. 4,713 are confirmed and 547 are probable.
443 Mainers have been hospitalized at some point during their COVID-19 illness.
4,538 Mainers have recovered.
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25
Maine CDC did not report any additional deaths of people with COVID-19, meaning the state death total remains at 140.
Of the 5,215 total COVID-19 cases in Maine, 4,691 are confirmed by test, and 544 are probable.
442 Mainers have been hospitalized at some point during their COVID-19 illness.
4,507 Mainers have recovered from COVID-19.
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24
Maine CDC did not report any additional deaths of people with COVID-19, meaning the state death total remains at 140.
Of the 5,215 total COVID-19 cases in Maine, 4,677 are confirmed by test and 538 are probable.
442 Mainers have been hospitalized at some point during their COVID-19 illness.
4,478 Mainers have recovered from COVID-19.
The one-day point positivity rate in Maine is 0.45 percent, bringing Maine's 7-day weighted point positivity rate to 0.60 percent. To put that number in perspective, the national positivity rate across the country remains at 5.0 percent.
The testing volume in Maine is currently at 439 tests per every 100,000 people right now. The national average for testing volume is 244 tests per every 100,000 people.
Dr. Shah said people in their 20s and 30s now account for one third of all cases in Maine. However, that group only accounted for one fifth of Maine's cases back in May. Dr. Shah said this is concerning, as young people are more likely to work jobs where they are interacting face-to-face with others, and are also more likely to be asymptomatic if they do contract the virus.
"None of us is an island when it comes to infectious diseases," Dr. Shah said.
People in their 50s and 60s currently account for about 28 percent of all cases in Maine.
New Outbreak
Maine CDC recently opened at outbreak at the Brink Chiropractic Clinic in Sanford, where there are currently a total of three cases.
Outbreak Updates
There remain 12 cases associated with Sanford High School. Maine CDC is working with the school district to arrange for a testing site to be stood up for staff members, faculty members, and students to ensure that everyone who is part of the school community can obtain COVID-19 testing. Maine CDC Director Dr. Nirav Shah said he encourages everyone in the school's community to take advantage of the testing opportunity.
"What we're seeing in York County right now is forceful community-level transmission. That is to say the rate of virus has achieved a certain level that it's everywhere and in wide circulation across the county," Dr. Shah said.
There are now a total of 23 cases associated with the ND Paper mill in Rumford, an increase of two cases since Tuesday. According to Dr. Shah, the mill is starting its next round of universal testing after testing about 700 people during the first round. The Mill expects to test approximately the same number of people again. Maine CDC is still working to figure out of the mill was the site of transmission of the virus, or if the mill just happens to be where it was detected.
- Maine DHHS closes Portland office after employee tests positive for COVID-19
- How can I tell the difference between the flu and COVID-19?
- Massachusetts now exempt from COVID-19 travel restrictions, testing requirement
- Non-direct patient care employee at Northern Maine Medical Center tests positive for COVID-19
- RSU 1 stalls transition to full in-person learning, sticks with hybrid plan 'until further notice'
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23
Maine CDC did not report any additional deaths of people with COVID-19, meaning the state death total remains at 140.
Of the 5,171 total COVID-19 cases in Maine, 4,643 are confirmed by test and 528 are probable.
441 Mainers have been hospitalized at some point during their COVID-19 illness.
4,445 Mainers have recovered from COVID-19.
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22
Maine CDC did not report any additional deaths of people with COVID-19, meaning the state death total remains at 140.
Of the 5,146 total COVID-19 cases in Maine, 4,617 are confirmed by test and 529 are probable.
442 Mainers have been hospitalized at some point during their COVID-19 illness. 17 people in Maine are currently hospitalized due to COVID-19, with four being treated in intensive care units.
Maine CDC Director Dr. Nirav Shah said the trend of hospitalizations of people with COVID-19 is going upward, which he says is concerning. He said it hasn't been since mid-July that rates of hospitalization among people in Maine have been this high.
4,407 Mainers have recovered from COVID-19.
Of the cases Maine CDC recorded on Monday alone, 58 percent were from York County.
Outbreak Update
Dr. Shah said Maine CDC has identified 21 cases among people associated with the ND Paper mill in Rumford. He said Maine CDC's initial analysis is that the cases seem to be focused on one part of the mill. However, he said Maine CDC is also concerned that transmission may have occurred outside of the workplace.
There remain 18 cases among people associated with Portsmouth Naval Shipyard.
New Outbreaks
Maine CDC has opened an outbreak investigation at the Wolves Club in Sanford, after one employee and five patrons tested positive. Dr. Shah said this comes on top of outbreak investigations that Maine CDC has opened into other social clubs in and around the Sanford area.
Maine CDC has opened an outbreak investigation at the Hussey Seating Company in North Berwick. Three cases of COVID-19 have been detected among people associated with the facility.
Maine CDC has opened an outbreak investigation at the Ogunquit Beach Lobster House. Three positive cases have been detected among people associated with the restaurant.
Maine CDC has opened an outbreak investigation at Sanford High School. Maine CDC has detected 12 cases among people associated with the school. Dr. Shah said this is the first outbreak investigation Maine CDC has opened in a public school. He said they have identified gatherings outside of school that may have contributed to the outbreak, including a pickup football game on September 16 and a sunrise gathering among kids in the senior class which occurred around the same time.
"These latest outbreaks in and around Sanford in particular are continued evidence of our heightened concern for that area," Dr. Shah said. "COVID-19 has now affected nearly every aspect of life in the Sanford area. Houses of worship, schools, workplaces, social clubs, funerals, and first responders have all been affected by COVID-19 in substantial fashion."
Closed Outbreaks
Maine CDC has closed the outbreak at the Marshwood Center in Lewiston, after recording a total of 48 cases at the facility.
Maine CDC has closed the outbreak at the Pine Point Center in Scarborough, after recording a total of 15 cases at the facility.
Maine CDC has closed the outbreak associated with the Sanford Fire Department, after recording a total of seven cases there.
- 12 cases of COVID-19 at Sanford High School and Regional Technical Center
- After being told to isolate, person with COVID-19 goes to Portland Jetport causing potential exposure
- MSAD6 school board votes to waive graduation requirements for students affected by COVID-19
- Falmouth High School to continue with in-person portion of hybrid plan after positive COVID-19 case
THE DATA
RESOURCES
- Maine food resources and retail adjustments
- How to file for Maine unemployment
- Beginning of plan to reopen Maine schools
- Will you get a stimulus check if you receive Social Security or disability, or didn’t file a tax return?
- Stimulus check calculator: See how much you'll likely be getting
- Millions of Americans will soon get stimulus checks. But here's who won't.
- Maine small businesses can apply for 'forgivable loans'
Coronavirus, COVID-19 Background
The official name for the coronavirus is “SARS-CoV-2” and the disease it causes is named “coronavirus disease 2019” or “COVID-19” for short. Coronavirus is a family of viruses, which can infect people and animals. The viruses can cause the common cold or more serious diseases like SARS, MERS, and COVID-19.
The CDC says symptoms of the coronavirus include fever, cough, difficulty breathing, and in some cases sore throat.
The CDC says there are simple steps to take to reduce the possible spread of COVID-19:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands
- Stay home while you're sick and avoid close contact with others
The Maine Centers for Disease Control (CDC) is holding coronavirus briefings on Tuesdays and Thursdays with director Dr. Nirav Shah to keep the public up to date on the situation in Maine