x
Breaking News
More () »

Real-time Maine coronavirus updates: Monday, August 31

Find developments on the Maine coronavirus, COVID-19 outbreak as we work together to separate facts from fear. Monday, August 31, 2020.

MAINE, USA — KEY MAINE CORONAVIRUS FACTS

Monday, August 31 Updates

State health officials on Monday reported 14 new cases of COVID-19 but no new deaths. 

There have now been 4,526 confirmed and probable cases of the virus since mid-March, along with 132 deaths. The number of active cases stands at 471, which is one more than Sunday. 

SUNDAY, AUGUST 30

The Maine CDC reported zero additional deaths of people with COVID-19, meaning the state death total remains at 132.

Of the 4,512 total COVID-19 cases in Maine, 4,047 are confirmed by test, and 465 are probable.

420 Mainers have been hospitalized at some point during their COVID-19 illness.

3,910 Mainers have recovered from COVID-19.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 29

RELATED: Maine CDC investigating COVID-19 outbreak at Calvary Baptist Church

The Maine CDC reported zero additional deaths of people with COVID-19, meaning the state death total remains at 132.

Of the 4,489 total COVID-19 cases in Maine, 4,032 are confirmed by test and 457 are probable.

418 Mainers have been hospitalized at some point during their COVID-19 illness. 

3,899 Mainers have recovered from COVID-19.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 28

The Maine CDC reported zero additional deaths of people with COVID-19, meaning the state death total remains at 132.

Of the 4,436 total COVID-19 cases in Maine, 3,981 are confirmed by test and 455 are probable.

417 Mainers have been hospitalized at some point during their COVID-19 illness. 

3,887 Mainers have recovered from COVID-19.

CDC guidance on testing vs. Maine CDC guidance on testing

Guidance previously on the U.S. CDC's website until this week recommended tests for "all close contacts" of people who test positive for COVID-19.  

On Monday, the agency updated its website which now states close contacts who have been exposed to COVID-19 but are not exhibiting symptoms "do not necessarily need a test." 

Maine CDC Director Dr. Nirav Shah, however, said Maine CDC still recommends these people get tested. He said Maine CDC has no intention of changing its guidance.

"Our view is that you don't stop the plows in the middle of the storm. You keep plowing or, in this setting, you keep testing," Dr. Shah said.

Expanded Testing

The Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and Maine-based IDEXX Laboratories Inc. announced Thursday the start of operations at the mobile laboratory stationed at the Health and Environmental Testing Laboratory in Augusta, quadrupling Maine’s current COVID-19 testing capacity. At the same time, DHHS is extending its financial support of 27 swab and send locations through at least the end of October.

The new mobile lab, which is supported by federal funding, serves as an extension of HETL and is thus federally certified, confirming that the mobile lab meets or exceeds all quality assurance standards. As of this week, the mobile lab is accepting specimens and reporting out results.

Outbreak Updates

There are now a total of 87 cases linked to an outbreak at a wedding/reception in Millinocket on August 7.

Maine DHHS Commissioner Jeanne Lambrew said Thursday the venue that hosted the wedding reception, the Big Moose Inn, had its license suspended. It had previously been announced that the inn had been issued an imminent health hazard citation.

Of the 87 cases:

  • 30 are primary cases, meaning people who attended the wedding/reception
  • 35 are secondary cases, meaning people who came in close contact with someone who attended the wedding/reception
  • 22 are tertiary cases, meaning people who were close contacts of a secondary case

Of the 87 people, Maine CDC Director Dr. Nirav Shah said about 68 percent are symptomatic.

Of the 87 cases linked to the Millinocket outbreak, nine are at the Maplecrest Rehabilitation Center in Madison. Five are among residents and four are among staff.

Of the 87 cases linked to the Millinocket outbreak, 18 are among people associated with the York County Jail complex. Nine are among staff members of the jail, two are among other staff members at the complex, and seven are among inmates.

Fire Departments Outbreak Update

There remain four cases associated with individuals who work at the Sanford Fire Department, Buxton Fire Department, or Saco Fire Department.

Maine CDC's investigation into these cases is underway.

Credit: NCM

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 26

Maine CDC reported one additional death of someone with COVID-19, bringing the state death total to 132.

Maine CDC has not yet said the age or county of residence of the person who died.

Of the 4,389 total COVID-19 cases in Maine, 3,942 are confirmed by test and 447 are probable.

412 Mainers have been hospitalized at some point during their COVID-19 illness.

3,818 Mainers have recovered from COVID-19.

Credit: NCM

MONDAY AND TUESDAY UPDATES


THE DATA

RESOURCES

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

Before You Leave, Check This Out