Maine CDC director Nirav Shah reported today that York County remains a significant epidemiological concern as positivity rates and case rates and trending in the "wrong direction."

According to Shah, of the 26 new cases of COVID-19 reported in Maine in the past 24 hours, 15 were in York County. The positivity rate in York County is currently 2.1% compared to the 0.55% statewide average. The rate of new cases of COVID-19 in York County over the past 14 days is about 8 new cases for every 10,000 people while the statewide rate is about 2.66 cases for every 10,000 people.

"If we compare where York County is today, as compared to just two weeks ago, one incubation period ago for this virus, we see significant differences that are trending right now in the unfortunately wrong direction," Shah said in today's briefing. He cited that two weeks ago, York County's positivity rate was 1.3% and today it is 2.1% while new cases were 4.72 per 10,000 versus 8.04 per 10,000 today.

The latest numbers released Thursday by the Maine CDC, show that the cumulative number of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in Maine is now at 4,760, an increase of 26 since Wednesday. 15 of those are in York County. 4,287 of those cases are confirmed while 473 are deemed probable.

There were no new deaths reported of an individual with COVID-19, keeping the total at 134. 431 patients have had to be hospitalized at some point. 11 are currently hospitalized with 7 in critical care and 3 patients on ventilators.

4,153 people diagnosed with COVID-19 have recovered, an increase of 18 since Wednesday. The total number of diagnosed active cases of COVID-19 is 473, an increase of 8 since Wednesday. The cumulative number of COVID-19 negative tests is 316,595 with a 14-day positivity rate of 0.6%.

The Maine CDC has determined that there are 161 cases of COVID-19 and three deaths of an individual with COVID-19 associated with a wedding with around 65 guests at the Big Moose Inn in Millinocket on August 7. That wedding reception outbreak is linked to an outbreak at the York County Jail where 82 cases have been reported.

Governor Mills has extended the State of Emergency in Maine through October 1, allowing Maine to continue to receive federal funding and use available resources to respond to COVID-19.

An executive order remains in place requiring large retail stores, lodging, restaurants, outdoor bars and tasting rooms in coastal counties and Maine's largest cities to enforce the state's face covering requirement.

The counties where businesses are be required to enforce the face covering requirement are Hancock, Waldo, Knox, Lincoln, Sagadahoc, Cumberland and York as well as the more populated inland cities Bangor/Brewer and Lewiston/Auburn.

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