The Maine CDC on Thursday confirmed 376 cases of coronavirus in the state, up from 344 on Wednesday.
94 people have recovered, and 68 have been hospitalized at some point.
Another coronavirus-related death was reported at the Togus VA Medical Center in Augusta on Thursday. They say the victim was a veteran in their 70s. That brings the total number of deaths statewide to 8.
68 of the confirmed cases are among healthcare workers. There is now no testing backlog among “tier 1” individuals, or those considered high-risk, whose tests are prioritized.
There are now cases in 13 out of Maine’s 16 counties.
Maine CDC Director Dr. Nirav Shah said Wedmesday there are now two confirmed case among people who spent time at the Oxford Street Shelter in Portland. Dr. Shah says officials were prepared for cases among the homeless population. The city of Portland has created a quarantine space within the Portland Expo building for the city’s homeless who may have been exposed but are not showing symptoms. Those who do become sick will be quarantined at one of the family homeless shelters.
Shah says 15 testing platforms from Abbott Laboratories in Scarborough, which can give results within minutes, will be coming online. Shah highlighted the importance of those tests, saying they will help reduce the demand for personal protective equipment for healthcare workers.
Asked Wednesday about the effect social distancing is having on the curve of new cases in Maine, Shah says it’s still too early to tell, but that social distancing is the “best vaccine we have right now.” He says data from cell phones and turnpike officials show a drastic drop in travel — an indication that individuals are heeding warnings to stay home.
