Another 1,089 cases of coronavirus were reported in Maine over the last three days, as the state again surpassed its previous record for virus-related hospitalizations on Tuesday.
298 people are in Maine’s hospitals with the virus, breaking the previous record of 296 set on Monday. ICU hospitalizations have also peaked, with 96 patients in critical care. 40 of those individuals are on ventilators. 46 critical care beds are available in the state.
The state’s seven-day average of new daily cases rose to 694 on Tuesday, up from 546 two weeks ago.
Tuesday’s update also included another 28 deaths. Maine CDC spokesman Robert Long says 14 those deaths occurred in late October and early November.
Meanwhile, vaccinations are ramping up after last week’s announcement from Governor Janet Mills that all Mainers ages 18 and up are eligible for a booster shot. More than 260,000 booster shots have been administered in the state.
Since becoming eligible in early November, nearly 24,000 children ages 5-11 have received at least a first dose of the vaccine.
71% of all eligible Mainers are vaccinated.
