Maine CDC Director Dr. Nirav Shah provided a look at how Maine is doing with preventing the spread of COVID-19 compared to the rest of the country. Here are some statistics:

  • Maine has one of the lowest number of overall cases adjusted for our population: 214 cases for every 100,000 people in the state.
  • Maine also has one of the lowest positivity rates in the nation in the country at 4.3% ranking it 39th in the country.
  • Maine has one of the lowest fatality rates from COVID-19 in the country and the lowest in the entire Northeast at 8 per 100,000 people.

"Those numbers are because of, not despite, the actions that each and every one of you has taken since day one," Shah said in Friday's Maine CDC briefing. "You changed the way you work. You changed the way you learn. You changed the way that you live. That has made a difference. Please don’t let anyone tell you otherwise."

Despite the low numbers, Shah urged Mainers to keep their "collective foot" on the gas in regards to wearing face coverings, physical distancing, and all the other things that we have changed since the COVID-19 pandemic began.

The cumulative number of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in Maine is now at 2,913, an increase of 35 since Thursday. 2,586 of those cases are confirmed while 327 are deemed probable.

328 patients have had to be hospitalized at some point. 26 are currently hospitalized with 11 of those in critical care and 5 patients on ventilators.

No new deaths were reported, keeping the total number of deaths of those diagnosed with COVID-19 at 102 for the second day in a row.

2,323 people diagnosed with COVID-19 have recovered, an increase of 23 since Thursday.

The total number of active, diagnosed cases of COVID-19 is 488, an increase of 12.

328 patients have had to be hospitalized at some point. 26 are currently hospitalized with 11 of those in critical care and 5 patients on ventilators.

The cumulative number of COVID-19 molecular tests that have been performed is 77,698 with a positivity rate of 4.31%.

Governor Janet Mills announced this week that her administration is allowing indoor dining in all Maine counties.

Up until the announcement, Androscoggin, Cumberland, and York county restaurants were still restricted to takeout and outdoor seating only. Beginning Wednesday, June 17,  restaurants in those counties can voluntarily reopen to offer indoor dining with added health and safety protocols outlined in the COVID-19 Prevention Checklist.

For restaurants, that means tables spaces at least six feet apart, no more than 50 people per room, single use condiments and no salad bars or buffets for now.

Other changes announced that go into effect on Wednesday are loosening restrictions on bars, breweries, and tasting rooms in Androscoggin, Cumberland and York counties permitting them to open for outdoor, seated service. Gyms, nail salons, and tattoo parlors may also reopen, all with added health and safety protocols.

Capacity limits at retail stores are going up as well, allowing up to 5 customers per 1,000 square feet. Staff are still required to wear cloth face coverings and follow strict public health precautions.

Governor Mills has extended the Civil State of Emergency through July 10. Nearly every state in the nation has an ongoing Civil State of Emergency which allows the use of Federal resources and gives states the ability to use all resources available to respond to COVID-19.

The Mills administration has put an alternative to the current 14-day quarantine order that is in place for people visiting or returning to Maine.

Under the new rules, adults who can certify that that they have received a negative COVID-19 test within the last 72 hours, may forgo the 14-day quarantine. Children are exempt.

Visitors must also sign a certificate of compliance saying that they have received a negative COVID-19 test, or will be quarantined for 14 days, or that they have already completed their 14-day quarantine in Maine. Visitors must provide this compliance whenever they check in at any lodging such as hotels, campgrounds and Airbnbs. Visitors may be asked to provide proof of the negative result. The compliance requirement takes effect July 1.

Residents of New Hampshire and Vermont are exempt from the testing or the 14-day quarantine effective immediately if they are coming for a brief time and return home. Beginning June 12, New Hampshire and Vermont residents can stay in lodging without going through the compliance process. The exemption is due to the similarity in number of active cases of COVID-19 in those states compared to Maine.

Stage 2 of Maine's phased plan to reopen the State began on June 1 and raises the prohibition on gatherings of more than 10 people to 50. People who are able to work from home should continue to do so, and people should wear cloth face coverings in public settings where physical distancing measures are hard to maintain.

If the Maine CDC detects any resurgence of the virus, the state will slow down the stages and reinstate restrictions.

 

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. The Maine CDC continues to update with new information daily. Keep checking on our mobile app or website to get the latest.

How can I stay safe while grocery shopping? And answers to 24 other coronavirus questions

More From 102.9 WBLM