Maine reports 126 new cases of COVID-19, as transmission rates rise in more counties

Maine reported 126 new cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday, continuing a growing trend in the number of cases. There were no additional deaths.

The seven-day daily average of new cases rose to 103 on Wednesday, from 66.9 a week ago and 20 a month ago.

Since the start of the pandemic, Maine has recorded 70,844 cases of COVID-19 and 900 deaths.

The new case numbers reflect increasing infection rates in Cumberland, Kennebec and Piscataquis counties, placing these counties in the “substantial” transmission category where the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends wearing. mask inside for everyone. The counties of Lincoln, York, Penobscot and Somerset remain in the “substantial” category.

Waldo County remains in the “high” transmission category, where masks are also recommended. Washington County fell into the “low” transmission category, joining Sagadahoc. All other counties are in the “moderate” category.

With an increase in the number of cases and the more contagious delta variant spreading across the United States, more and more employers are mandating COVID-19 vaccination as a condition of employment.

In Maine, MaineHealth, the state’s largest healthcare network that includes Maine Medical Center in Portland, announced on Tuesday that COVID-19 vaccination would be required for all employees by October 1. Northern Light Health, which operates Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor and Mercy Hospital in Portland, announced a similar plan on Monday. The Millinocket Regional Hospital last week became the first hospital in Maine to issue a vaccination mandate for its employees.

“We are very confident in the safety and effectiveness of vaccines,” said Dr. Dora Anne Mills, health improvement manager at MaineHealth, in an interview Tuesday. “We need to act now to make sure patients and employees are protected. “

Mills said a warrant is effective, as evidenced by the 2020 requirement for MaineHealth employees to get the flu shot, which was followed by a state flu shot mandate this year. for all healthcare workers.

“We lost very few employees when we implemented the influenza vaccination mandate. What is happening is people are getting vaccinated, ”Mills said.

Major employers outside of healthcare are also starting to mandate COVID-19 vaccinations for employment, including Walmart, Disney, Facebook, Google and Tyson Foods. In Maine, the University of Maine system requires vaccinations for students and staff once full FDA approval is granted. Several private colleges and universities in the state have also established vaccination requirements for students and staff.

Additionally, some restaurants in Maine are starting to require vaccination for indoor dining, including Little Giant on Danforth Street in Portland, the Portland Hunt & Alpine Club on Market Street, and Crown Jewel on Great Diamond Island.

This story will be updated.

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