x
Breaking News
More () »

Real-time Maine coronavirus update: Spread continues to increase in long-term care facilities

The Maine CDC is reporting 770 confirmed cases, 24 deaths, and 305 recoveries.

MAINE, USA — KEY MAINE CORONAVIRUS FACTS

LATEST CORONAVIRUS UPDATE

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15, 4:45 p.m.

The Maine CDC is reporting 770 confirmed cases, 24 deaths, and 305 recoveries.

The additional four deaths announced Wednesday are:

  • A man in his 80s from Androscoggin County
  • A woman in her 70s from Cumberland County
  • Two men in their 70s from Cumberland County

There was an increase of 36 confirmed cases since Tuesday, bringing the total to 770; 126 have been hospitalized at some point during their illness. Currently there are 26 individuals hospitalized in regular beds, and 22 are in intensive care. 

Nine people remain on ventilators at this time.

Of those who have tested positive, 166 are health care workers, a total of about 21 percent of the confirmed cases. 

Maine CDC Director Dr. Nirav Shah emphasized their focus has remained on long-term care facilities, because they are the highest populations of risk.

The Maine CDC has now identified an outbreak at The Cedars retirement facility in Portland, with five total cases--three cases are residents and two are staff members. 

There are three other outbreaks at long-term care facilities across the state:

  • At the Maine Veterans' Home in Scarborough there have been no changes since Tuesday's update: 38 confirmed cases among residents and staff and two deaths. 
  • There are a total of 69 cases among staff and residents at the Augusta Health and Rehabilitation facility, and two deaths. 
  • At the Tall Pines facility in Waldo County there has been one additional confirmed case since Tuesday's update, bringing the total to 25 among staff and residents.

On Tuesday the Maine CDC says they delivered 18,000 pieces of personal protective equipment (PPE) to facilities statewide. The shipments went to long-term care facilities, because of their vulnerability to COVID-19, but Dr. Shah says they are continuing to ship PPE orders to the community and first responders. The Maine CDC says 923 orders have been filled in total.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) delivered 140,000 N95 to the Maine CDC on Tuesday, which are being added to the state inventory and will soon be available for shipment as more orders come in. 

12 p.m.

The Maine CDC is reporting 770 confirmed cases, 24 deaths, and 305 recoveries.

Maine CDC Director Nirav Shah's daily press briefing has been delayed because of the need to focus on the Androscoggin Mill situation. More information will be forthcoming from Maine CDC. NEWS CENTER Maine will carry the press conference on-air, website, mobile app, YouTube channel, Facebook page and Twitter.

Credit: NCM

Dr. James Jarvis said during Northern Light Health's media availability Wednesday that it is only testing people who are at the highest risk.

Dr. Jarvis said right now Northern Light Health is not focused on who can and cannot pay for care. They are focused on caring for those who need it. 

WEDNESDAY UPDATES:

MAINE CDC BRIEFINGS

TUESDAY UPDATES

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. You can find all the previous Maine CDC briefings here.

NEWS CENTER Maine YouTube Coronavirus Playlist

Before You Leave, Check This Out