MAINE, USA — KEY MAINE CORONAVIRUS FACTS
- As of Tuesday, 126 Mainers have died out of 4,050 total COVID-19 cases. 3,644 of these cases are confirmed by test and 406 are probable.
- 394 Mainers have been hospitalized, 3,560 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.
TUESDAY, AUGUST 11
The Maine CDC reported one additional death of a person with COVID-19, bringing the state death total to 126.
The additional death announced Tuesday was a woman in her 90s from York County.
Of the 4,050 total COVID-19 cases in Maine, 3,644 are confirmed by test and 406 are probable.
Maine CDC Director Dr. Nirav Shah said a net increase of just one case compared to Monday is a really good thing, but Mainers must keep working to take precautions to stay at this level, in order to avoid case rises that are being seen in other states in the U.S.
394 Mainers have been hospitalized at some point during their COVID-19 illness.
3,560 Mainers have recovered from COVID-19.
As of Tuesday morning, there have been 181 people with an out-of-state residence who have tested positive in Maine. There have been 3,825 total tests conducted on out-of-state residents.
Dr. Shah said at this point in the summer Maine CDC has yet to see systematic evidence of individuals from other states who tested positive, came here, and started an outbreak. He said it could have happened but there isn't any evidence of it. He said Maine CDC shares the concerns that this will happen, but that it's important to put these concerns in context.
About 177 tests are being conducted for every 100,000 people in Maine.
When asked about his thoughts on the effectiveness of bandannas and neck gators as face coverings, Dr. Shah said a good rule of thumb is if you can stretch it out and see through it, then it's not an effective face covering.
Dr. Shah said Maine CDC recommends using a face covering that is designed to be a face covering.
Outbreak Updates
At Hancock Foods in Hancock, there have been a total of 12 cases. Dr. Shah said individuals have completed their entire cycle of isolation and are beginning the process of being classified as recovered and thus returning to work.
At Merrill Farm, there have been a total of nine cases.
At Wyman's Farm, there have been a total of five cases.
Both Merrill and Wyman's are completing various stages of testing.
At the Marshwood Center in Lewiston, there are a total of 38 cases.
At Central Maine Medical Center, there are a total of 15 cases.
Maine CDC is working closely with both Marshwood and CMMC.
Additional 'Keep Maine Healthy' Funding
Governor Janet Mills' administration announced Tuesday that it has approved an additional $4 million in awards to more than 80 municipalities and tribal governments across the state under a second round of Keep Maine Healthy funding to support local COVID-19 public health, education, and prevention efforts.
The announcement follows the award in late June of the first round of funding to municipalities under the Keep Maine Healthy Plan, with approximately $9 million awarded to nearly 100 municipalities. Today, the Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) approved COVID-19 Prevention and Protection Plans submitted by 82 municipalities and Tribal governments and began notifying municipalities of their awards. Approximately half of the awards will go to municipalities and tribal governments that are new applicants, while the others will benefit returning municipalities.
In total, this Keep Maine Healthy funding will benefit 132 municipalities and two tribal governments --representing about 1 million people, or 75 percent of the State’s year-round population, along with summer and fall visitors.
The awards are supported by Coronavirus Relief Funds from the CARES Act and are distributed on a reimbursement basis as communities implement these programs.
More information can be found HERE.
MONDAY, AUGUST 10
The Maine CDC reported zero additional deaths of people with COVID-19, meaning the state death total remains at 125.
Of the 4,049 total COVID-19 cases in Maine, 3,641 are confirmed by test and 408 are probable.
393 Mainers have been hospitalized at some point during their COVID-19 illness.
3,537 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