x
Breaking News
More () »

Real-time Maine coronavirus, COVID-19 updates: 55 dead, 657 Mainers recovered out of 1,123 confirmed cases

Find developments on the Maine coronavirus, COVID-19 outbreak as we work together to separate facts from fear. Friday, May 1, 2020

MAINE, USA — KEY MAINE CORONAVIRUS FACTS

LATEST CORONAVIRUS UPDATES

FRIDAY MAY 1

2 p.m.

Maine CDC Director Dr. Nirav Shah provides the daily coronavirus update. Gov. Janet Mills is joining the briefing to give a statement as Maine enters Phase 1 of her plan to reopen Maine. 

Mills explains the first steps that go into effect today under her staged approach to reopening the Maine economy. You can read about stage one here.

"As we step into this next stage, as we talk about reopening, there will be a lot of debate. And I welcome that; that’s how the process should work. There will also be a lot of frustration. I understand that. Yes, and there is anger, and I share that. But let’s keep talking."

Mills ended by saying, "I'm not a quitter. Maine people are not quitters. Some people are angry, and frustrated, and losing patience. But no matter what, I will keep hearing you, I will keep listening to you, and we will listen to each other." 

RELATED: Changes to Maine's stay-safer-at-home order amid COVID-19 taking effect Friday

RELATED: Read Maine Phase 1 COVID-19 Prevention Checklist to help business reopen with reduced coronavirus restrictions

Dr. Shah says the two additional individuals who died due to COVID-19 were a man in his 40s from Waldo County, and a woman in her 80s from Cumberland County. 

Dr. Shah is not able to comment any more on the death of a Waldo County firefighter, whose death is under investigation as possibly being COVID-19-related.

RELATED: Maine CDC is investigating a case of a firefighter death with possible COVID-19 connection

RELATED: Sen. Angus King on Russian election interference, U.S. Postal Service loans, and Gov. Mills' handling of coronavirus crisis

Currently, 37 people are hospitalized; 17 of those are in intensive care. Nine individuals are on ventilators. 

Overall, 657 have recovered, an increase of 26 since Thursday. 

Of the 28 new confirmed cases, eight are outbreak-related at long-term care facilities and congregate settings. There are now 253 health care workers that have COVID-19.

Dr. Shah confirmed that the Maine CDC will be receiving some fraction of the swabs from Puritan on a weekly basis.

There are no new cases at the Augusta Center for Health and Rehabilitation (76 total cases), at the Edgewood Rehabilitation & Living Center in Farmington (14 total cases), at the Hope House shelter in Bangor (21 total cases), at the Tall Pines facility in Waldo County (43 total), or at The Cedars in Portland (15 total).

At Falmouth by the Sea, there are six new cases. 

The Maine Veterans' Home in Scarborough has two additional cases for a total of 53.

At the Tyson food plant, there are now 11 total cases. The Maine CDC has been working very closely with Tyson since the outbreak was identified to conduct testing. Tyson is planning on idling production for deep cleaning.

RELATED: 8 employees at Tyson food plant in Portland test positive for coronavirus, COVID-19

12 p.m.

The Maine CDC announced two additional deaths due to COVID-19, for a state total of 55. There are 1,123 confirmed cases, 657 recoveries, and 177 have been hospitalized at some point during their illness.

Maine CDC Director Dr. Nirav Shah will provide the daily coronavirus update at 2 p.m. today. We will be broadcasting that live on-air, streaming on our website, mobile app, YouTube channel, Facebook, and Twitter.

Credit: NCM

9 a.m.

8 a.m.

THURSDAY UPDATES

TAKE A MOMENT FOR 'A BREATH OF FRESH AIR'

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

Before You Leave, Check This Out