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Maine tops 1,000 coronavirus deaths as virus hospitalizations reach record high

Photo: Northern Light Health


There were another 18 deaths among people with coronavirus according to Tuesday’s update from the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

That pushes the total number of Covid-19 deaths in Maine past 1,000.

There were also 632 new infections reported over the previous 3-day period.

Health officials say 14 of the deaths reported Tuesday were added after a vital records review, with many of them occurring in the last few weeks and the earliest dating back to February. The youngest of those people was in their 30s, while three were in their 50s, four were in their 60s, another four were in their 70s, and six were 80 or older.

Governor Janet Mills released a statement as the state’s virus death toll climbed to 1,002 on Tuesday.

“We mourn their passing and grieve for the moments they are no longer able to share with us,” said Mills. “Yet, we have it in our power to end this needless suffering and heartbreak; a way to protect our health and that of the people we love; a way to give our heroic doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals a much-needed break; a way to protect our children – please get vaccinated today.”

Maine CDC Director Dr. Nirav Shah said Monday that upwards of 90% of people in intensive care units with the virus are not fully vaccinated. For hospitalizations overall, that rate is between 65% and 75%.

Also on Tuesday, the state again broke its record for the number of people hospitalized with Covid-19. That number reached 225 on Tuesday, with 82 of those patients in intensive care — also a record for the state.

A week ago, 192 Mainers with the virus were hospitalized and 66 were in intensive care.

Dr. Shah has said in recent days to expect high case numbers to continue for awhile as the state continues to work through a backlog of positive tests and as the more contagious delta variant remains the dominant strain of the virus.

 

 

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