Maine saw a record number of people hospitalized with coronavirus for the third day in a row going into the Thanksgiving holiday.
In Wednesday’s update from the Maine CDC, there were 993 new cases and three deaths. 314 people were hospitalized with the virus, compared to 298 on Tuesday.
The state is also seeing the most virus patients in the ICU since the start of the pandemic, with 103 people receiving critical care and 40 on ventilators.
On Wednesday, Maine CDC Director Dr. Nirav Shah called the numbers “sobering” and said they’re a reminder that the virus won’t be taking time off for the holidays. He says Thanksgiving gatherings with all fully vaccinated people is a low-risk activity.
If friends and family members aren’t all vaccinated, he recommends they get tested beforehand, mask up, open up windows and doors for ventilation, or gather outdoors if possible.