MAINE, USA — KEY MAINE CORONAVIRUS FACTS
- As of Thursday, 126 Mainers have died out of 4,089 total COVID-19 cases. 3,679 of these cases are confirmed by test and 410 are probable.
- 395 Mainers have been hospitalized, 3,592 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.
THURSDAY, AUGUST 13
The Maine CDC reported zero additional deaths of people with COVID-19, meaning the state death total remains at 126.
Of the 4,089 total COVID-19 cases in Maine, 3,679 are confirmed by test and 410 are probable.
395 Mainers have been hospitalized at some point during their COVID-19 illness. 11 people in Maine are currently hospitalized due to COVID-19, with five being treated in intensive care units and three on ventilators.
3,592 Mainers have recovered from COVID-19.
Maine CDC Director Dr. Nirav Shah noted that Thursday's briefing was his 100th. He said he started working for Maine CDC about 400 days ago, so roughly a quarter of his days in Maine have involved briefing the people of Maine. He thanked the individuals across the state of Maine for making the state's COVID-19 response possible.
"At a time when science collectively should be our North Star, what's unfortunate is that it's not everywhere across the country. But what we should all feel proud about is that it's clear, in Maine, scientific principles mean something. Science matters, and it matters in Maine," Dr. Shah said.
“On a more personal note, I am truly gratified and honored for the response and support that folks all across Maine have shown to me and my family in our first 400 days as Maine people," Dr. Shah added. "It’s truly heartwarming and, for us, reinforces that moving to Maine was very much the right decision. But I think what’s more important is what that heartwarming response tells you about Maine itself. Think about that. The fact that a brown guy with a funny name from a faraway state could move here 400 days ago and now be seen by at least some folks as an honest broker of scientific information says far more about the character of Maine people than it does about me.”
Closed Outbreak
The outbreak at Corsetti's restaurant in Westbrook has been closed, after a total of four cases.
The outbreak at Orono Commons has been closed, after a total of 10 cases.
The outbreak at the Goodwill distribution center has been closed, after a total of four cases.
The outbreak at the Houlton Ambulance Service has been closed.
Farm Outbreak Updates
There are now a total of 12 cases among workers at Hancock Foods in Hancock.
There are now a total of five cases at Wyman's blueberry farm in Milbridge.
There are now a total of 13 cases at Merrill Blueberry Farms in Ellsworth.
Maine CDC has been working with these farms to conduct multiple rounds of testing.
Other Outbreak Updates
There is now a total of 41 cases at the Marshwood Center in Lewiston - 26 among residents and 15 among staff.
There are a total of 15 cases at Central Maine Medical Center.
There are now a total of five cases among staff members at Seal Rock Health Care in Saco. This is now the second outbreak at the facility. The first one was eventually closed by Maine CDC.
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 12
The Maine CDC reported zero additional deaths of people with COVID-19, meaning the state death total remains at 126.
Of the 4,070 total COVID-19 cases in Maine, 3,662 are confirmed by test and 408 are probable.
394 Mainers have been hospitalized at some point during their COVID-19 illness.
3,579 Mainers have recovered from COVID-19.
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 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) 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 COVID-19 Playlist