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Real-time Maine coronavirus COVID-19 updates: Friday, June 5

Find developments on the Maine coronavirus, COVID-19 outbreak as we work together to separate facts from fear. Friday, June 5, 2020

MAINE, USA — KEY MAINE CORONAVIRUS FACTS

FRIDAY UPDATES

The Maine CDC reported three additional deaths of Mainers who tested positive for COVID-19, bringing the state death total to 98.

Of the 2,482 COVID-19 cases in Maine, 2,181 are confirmed by test and 265 are probable. The Maine CDC said they will update the confirmed/probable case number some time Friday afternoon.

1,797 Mainers have recovered from COVID-19.

293 Mainers have been hospitalized due to COVID-19

THERE WILL BE NO PRESS BRIEFING ON FRIDAY. The briefings will resume Monday, according to the Maine CDC.

THURSDAY UDPATES

The Maine CDC reported 0 additional deaths of people who tested positive for COVID-19, meaning the state death total remains at 95.

Of the 2,446 COVID-19 cases in Maine, 2,181 are confirmed by test and 265 are probable (meaning someone who has not tested positive but has been in close contact with someone who has).

1,739 Mainers have recovered from COVID-19.

291 Mainers have been hospitalized at some point during their COVID-19 illness. 35 Mainers are currently hospitalized due to COVID-19, with 14 being treated in intensive care units and 7 on ventilators.

Governor Janet Mills' administration announced Thursday additional business reopenings under the Governor’s rural reopening plan.

Under the update, in 13 counties, tasting rooms and bars may open for outside service and gyms, fitness centers, nail salons, and tattoo and piercing parlors may open with added health and safety precautions beginning on Friday, June 12. These establishments may reopen in all counties except for York, Cumberland, and Androscoggin Counties.

This update accelerates the reopening of bars and tasting rooms for outside service, as well as the reopening of tattoo and piercing parlors, all which were originally scheduled to reopen statewide as part of Stage 3 (July 1). It also allows gyms, fitness centers, and nail salons to resume operations in these 13 counties. 

Credit: NCM

WEDNESDAY UPDATES

THE DATA

Dr. Nirav Shah made clear that when the Maine CDC reports deaths, they are reporting that someone has died who had been confirmed positive with COVID-19, not the cause of death specifically. The cause of death determination is left to the medical examiner.  

According to Maine CDC Director Dr. Nirav Shah, as of a few days ago, there were roughly 2,900 Mainers tested each week. This includes people tested through the state lab in Augusta, as well as large commercial testing companies like LabCorp. Dr. Shah said right now, the positivity rate is over 5%, meaning for every 100 people tested, about 5 or 6 are positive. Compared to other states, whose positivity rates are 10 or 15%, Maine is doing better, Dr. Shah says. He says he'd like to see Maine's positivity rate around 2%, which is what South Korea's is. To do that, Dr. Shah says testing must increase two or three-fold.

RESOURCES

MAINE CDC BRIEFINGS

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) announced on Tuesday, March 10 that they would be holding daily coronavirus briefings with director Dr. Nirav Shah to keep the public up to date on the situation in Maine.

NEWS CENTER Maine YouTube Coronavirus Playlist

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