Maine health officials are reporting a total of 586 confirmed cases of coronavirus as of Friday.
One new death has been reported since Thursday, bringing the total to 17.
246 of the 586 total cases have recovered. For the first time, the state is now able to report the current number of hospitalizations. Dr. Shah said the total number on Friday was 57. 20 of those were in intensive care. That number was previously being reported only as a cumulative total.
Shah says community transmission has now been confirmed in Penobscot County. York and Cumberland Counties were previously confirmed to have community transmission as well.
One congregant facility that has raised concern among health officials is the Tall Pines retirement community in Belfast. Shah says 22 cases have been reported there; 19 residents and three staff members. Shah says PPE was being shipped there.
HOSPITAL PREPAREDNESS
On Tuesday, Governor Janet Mills has announced hospitals will work with the Maine National Guard and MEMA to set up 100 additional beds at the Cross Insurance Arena in Portland, and at least 50 beds at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor.
Those sites are set to be operational as soon as next week. The governor says hospitals do have adequate beds to treat patients right now, and she hopes the alternative sites will never need to be used, but the move comes to ensure preparedness as the situation evolves.
