636 New COVID-19 Cases in Maine and 4 More Deaths
According to the Maine CDC's Friday update, the cumulative number of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in Maine is now at 36,274, an increase of 636 since Thursday. 29,472 of those cases are confirmed while 6,802 are deemed probable.
There were 4 new deaths reported of individuals with COVID-19, bringing the total to 540. 1,309 patients have had to be hospitalized at some point. 182 are currently hospitalized with 54 in intensive care and 21 on a ventilator.
Since December 5, the Maine CDC has focused its efforts on following up with COVID-19 cases for those persons under 19 and over 64 and no longer provides full active case data. The University of Maine Presque Isle GIS Lab has started providing an estimated active case number which is calculated as the difference in total cases in a 12-day interval. That number on Friday was 6,976 estimated active cases.
Governor Janet Mills announced a new executive order December 11 requiring Mainers to wear face coverings in all indoor public spaces and prohibits owners from letting anyone in who is not wearing a face covering. The order also states that claiming a medical exemption is not an excuse to enter without a face covering.
Governor Mills has extended the State of Emergency in Maine through February 17, allowing Maine to continue to receive federal funding and use available resources to respond to COVID-19.
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.
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