COVID-19 Community Transmission Now in Three Maine Counties
Maine's number of reported cases of the coronavirus (COVID-19) is now at 586, an increase of 26 more cases since Thursday. 246 people have recovered, and there has been 1 more death bringing that total to 17. 111 patients have had to be hospitalized at some point. 57 are currently hospitalized and 20 of those are in intensive care.
Cumberland County has the most positive cases of COVID-19 and community transmission is occurring there along with York county. All counties except Piscataquis county have recorded at least one case of COVID-19. Investigations have been ongoing in other counties to determine if community transmission is occurring there, and today Maine CDC Director Dr. Nirav Shah announced that investigation has determined that community transmission is now occurring in Penobscot county as well.
Here's a breakdown of the numbers by county from the Maine CDC.
Governor Janet Mills has ordered all Mainers to stay home unless you work for an essential business or need to do an essential activity. The executive order remains in effect until April 30. Find out what that means for you by clicking or tapping here.
If you have symptoms of the coronavirus, including a runny nose, sore throat, dry cough, fever and in severe cases, difficulty breathing, the Maine CDC says you should call your doctor before going in so that they can prepare for your arrival.
Shah says that right now, our only vaccine against the COVID-19 is physical distancing. It is the key to flattening out the curve of the spread of the coronavirus, a point Dr Shah stressed is vitally important for Mainers to practice. A low curve means that the virus is spreading slowly which gives doctors more time and resources to treat more people. The higher the curve, the most people get sick at once and medical facilities get overwhelmed. Shah says that right now, our only vaccine against the COVID-19 is physical distancing.
The Maine CDC continues to update with new information daily. Keep checking on our mobile app or website to get the latest.