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Real-time Maine daily coronavirus COVID-19 updates: Over 1,200 Mainers have recovered from COVID-19. Two additional deaths in Cumberland County

Maine DOC announces two more COVID-19 cases at the Maine Correctional Center in Windham

MAINE, USA — KEY MAINE CORONAVIRUS FACTS

SATURDAY MAY 23

5PM

2PM

Noon

The Maine Center for Disease Control released COVID-19 coronavirus cases as of Noon Saturday: 

Total cases = 2,013

Confirmed cases = 1,804

Probable cases = 209

Cumulative hospitalizations = 243

Recovered = 1,232

Deaths = 77

The additional deaths reported today are a woman in her 80s from Cumberland County and a man in his 70s from Cumberland County.

Total currently hospitalized = 50

In critical care = 26

On a ventilator = 11

Available critical care beds = 156

Total critical care beds = 388

Available ventilators = 244

Total ventilators = 318

Alternative ventilators = 439

FRIDAY UPDATES

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 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

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