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Real-time Maine coronavirus daily updates: Sunday, August 9

Find developments on the Maine coronavirus, COVID-19 outbreak as we work together to separate facts from fear. Sunday, August 9, 2020.

MAINE, USA — KEY MAINE CORONAVIRUS FACTS

SUNDAY, AUGUST 9

New Maine CDC numbers released:

  • TOTAL CASES: 4,042
  • DEATHS: 125
  • RECOVERIES: 3,512
  • CONFIRMED CASES: 3,625
  • PROBABLE CASES: 417
  • CUMULATIVE HOSPITALIZATIONS: 393

SATURDAY, AUGUST 8

New Maine CDC numbers released 

  • CASES: 4,026
  • DEATHS: 125
  • RECOVERIES: 3,504
  • CONFIRMED: 3,609
  • PROBABLE: 417
  • HOSPITALIZATIONS: 393

9 AM

FRIDAY UPDATE

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

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