More of Maine’s counties have been moved to the yellow category under the state’s COVID-19 risk advisory system.
The update released Friday afternoon puts Knox, Franklin, Somerset and Washington counties in the yellow category. Waldo and Kennebec counties are still green, but Governor Janet Mills’ administration is still closely monitoring the situation.
A yellow designation recommends a hybrid model of learning for schools in those counties. Most schools in the state are already proceeding with a hybrid model, even those in green counties.
The Mills administration says new case rates in both Somerset and Washington counties continue to climb. These counties’ 14-day positivity rates are 4.7 percent and 3.3 percent, respectively.
Waldo County was considered a hotspot for the virus, but has reported a drop in new cases recently. It’s positivity rate remains relatively high, which is why it’s still being monitored.
Cumberland County has experienced a high rate of new cases as well, but the Mills administration says that’s largely a result of an outbreak at the Maine Correction Center, which has little impact on schools.
“Keeping schools open and serving as many students as possible each day is a fundamental goal for the wellbeing of our state. Students, school staff, and school leaders have been diligently implementing the health and safety guidelines, thereby keeping school transmission low,” said Pender Makin, Commissioner of Education. “Because the color-coded risk designations are based on public health measures and trends throughout each community, we are urging the people of Maine to support your local schools by wearing face coverings, maintaining physical distance from one another, and staying home when you’re not feeling well.”
