Maine reports 174 new cases of COVID-19 in latest signs of infections persist as vaccinations increase

The seven-day average of daily COVID-19 cases in Maine is virtually the same as it was a month ago, a clear sign that even as vaccinations accelerate, the risks remain.

“It’s a constant concern,” Governor Janet Mills said on Monday, when asked about the static status of cases on “Maine Calling,” a call-in radio show on Maine Public. Mills said new cases are appearing more frequently in places that have been largely untouched, such as sparsely populated Piscataquis County, and she fears that as spring approaches, people will let their guard down.

“I don’t want to see Maine become Ft. Lauderdale spring break,” the governor said, referring to reports of crowds of college-age revelers gathering unmasked in Florida over the weekend.

Maine is one of 17 states that have seen an increase in the number of average daily cases over the past two weeks, according to data from Johns Hopkins University. Many other states continue to see declines due to the post-vacation surge.

Dr. Rochelle Walensky, director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said in a briefing Monday that she was concerned about another nationwide spike in COVID cases, particularly because of what is happening currently in several European countries.

“Each of these countries had nadirs like we have now, and each took an uptrend after ignoring known mitigation strategies. They just looked away from the ball, ”Walensky said. “I beg you, for the sake of the health of our nation. These should be warning signs for all of us. Cases climbed last spring. They climbed again in the summer. They will go up now if we stop taking precautions as we continue to vaccinate more and more people.

Maine health officials reported 174 new cases on Monday, along with one additional death. The seven-day daily average of cases rose to 182 cases, which is slightly higher than the average of 167 cases two weeks ago, but almost identical to the average of 183 cases last month. Cases peaked at over 600 a day in mid-January, then declined steadily for a month before leveling off.

Since the start of the pandemic, there have been 47,199 confirmed or probable cases of COVID-19 and 725 deaths, according to data tracked by the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

Hospitalizations, which had also stabilized, also seem to be on the rise. As of Monday, there were 82 people in a Maine hospital with COVID-19, the highest total since February 19. Of these patients, 24 are in intensive care and nine are on ventilators. Hospitalizations peaked at more than 200 in mid-January before dropping as low as 62 earlier this month.

Vaccinations, meanwhile, continue to increase. As of Monday morning, 323,049 people, or 24% of Maine’s population, had received a first dose of the vaccine and 189,235 people, or 14% of the population, had received a second dose. Those who have received the single dose vaccine from Johnson & Johnson are counted in the second doses.

The state is back in the top 10 for immunization rates. According to the latest Bloomberg News tracker, Maine ranked 10th in percentage of residents who have been fully vaccinated.

Mills said the state has made great strides, particularly in inoculating elderly residents, and that there are now more than 200 vaccination sites across the state for residents to choose from.

“This is the most difficult logistical challenge we have ever faced,” she said. “The main obstacle is simply the supply.”

Maine has seen a modest increase in vaccine doses this week and is expected to see larger increases towards the end of March and into April.

As Maine prepares to reopen business and leisure activities from the end of the month, parents are pushing schools for more in-person learning. Most schools in Maine operate on a hybrid system, with two in-person days per week and the rest remotely.

While Freeport, Biddeford and other districts are considering or have already announced plans for more in-person learning, many principals point out how difficult it will be to meet guidelines to reopen schools in Maine and the United States. federal government, especially distancing recommendations.

But the US CDC’s physical distance guidelines, which currently recommend 6 feet between students and adult staff, may soon be relaxed. Maine health officials have said that if the U.S. CDC’s recommendations change, they will consider changing the state guidelines.

Dr Anthony Fauci, director of the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, told CNN on Sunday that a study from Massachusetts that showed there were no significant differences in infection rates in schools requiring a distance of 3 feet between students and staff versus 6 feet “does indeed” point to a relaxation of the guidelines for reopening CDC schools in the United States. Fauci said he expects revisions “soon”.

Walensky also said on Monday that the US CDC is closely examining the Massachusetts study, but other studies on school distancing are also underway.

Maine has a 3-foot directive in its recommendations to reopen the school, but requires 6 feet between students at lunchtime, when masks are removed.

Massachusetts has similar distancing rules as Maine, but elementary schools in Massachusetts return to full-time learning on April 5, followed by colleges on April 28, and a date for high schools is expected to be announced soon.

Maine Medical Center in Portland, the state’s largest hospital, announced Monday that it will ease visiting requirements for non-COVID patients starting Wednesday. The changes include: Allowing a daily visitor from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. in inpatient areas, including intensive care; allow a person to accompany an adult patient to the emergency department; and allow pediatric patients to be accompanied by two parents / guardians.

Additionally, palliative care patients may have two visitors per day, once per day, at times to be managed by the care team, and up to four family members may visit patients at the end of the day. of life in all areas.

“We recognize the extremely important role family members and care partners play in supporting and comforting our patients as well as helping patients during the transition to home or community care,” said MMC president Jeff Sanders. “This update to our visitor policy is designed to strike an appropriate balance, keeping patients, visitors and members of the care team as safe as possible while recognizing the importance of visitors to the patient. well-being of patients.

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