News

Maine health officials not alarmed by COVID-19 increase yet

Photo: 560 WGAN Newsradio


PORTLAND, Maine (AP) The number of new coronavirus cases has ticked up in Maine in recent weeks, but state health officials say they aren’t sounding the alarm about it yet.

The state’s daily caseload had dwindled in early summer, with less than 20 new cases reported on some days in June and early July. That trend has reversed in mid-July as the coronavirus counts have ticked up all over the country.

The seven-day rolling average of daily new cases in Maine rose over the course of two weeks from less than 20 new cases a day July 7 to about 58 new cases a day on Wednesday. The seven-day rolling average of daily deaths in Maine also rose over those two weeks from less than one death a day on July 7 to two a day Wednesday.

Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention Director Dr. Nirav Shah told the Portland Press Herald the rate of increase is less in Maine than it is in much of the country. He said that was a “function of our very high vaccination rate.” About 68% of the state’s eligible population is fully vaccinated against coronavirus.

Latest Headlines

10 hours ago in Local

Maine Legislature Passes Bill to Study Costs of Climate Change

The bill passed mostly on party lines this week

11 hours ago in Local

Judge Gives DOJ Access to Maine Sports Rosters, But Not List of Transgender Athletes

The judge questioned the motivation of the federal request for information on transgender athletes.

15 hours ago in Local

Motorcyclist killed in 3-vehicle crash in Raymond

A motorcyclist was killed in a three-vehicle in crash in Raymond on Monday evening.

15 hours ago in Local

New data show most ICE detainees in Maine immigration sweep did not have criminal convictions

New data shows only a fraction of nearly 200 people arrested during January’s immigration enforcement surge in Maine had criminal convictions.

1 day ago in Local, National

A Build America, Buy America law is causing construction delays

It has a catchy name — Build America, Buy America — and the lauded goal of bringing manufacturing jobs back…