why are covid cases rising in maine

[71], The University of Maine system created the Maine Welcome program to offer in-state tuition to students at other colleges and universities who may have had their studies disrupted by closures of academic institutions due to COVID-19. In recent days, the numbers have prompted several school districts, including Arlington, Belmont, and Cambridge, to urge masking in classrooms. Experts say a confluence of factors is likely driving the country's recent increases in infections, including the more than 100 million Americans who remain completely unvaccinated, cold weather and relaxed restrictions, the highly transmissible delta variant, and waning vaccine immunity. Log in to join the discussion. The testing will be available at no charge later this month, the administration said. Covid 16As the BA.2 omicron subvariant of COVID-19 drives up infections in the Northeast, Maine reported 437 new cases on Saturday. [73] The University of Maine system formed a Fall 2020 Safe Return Planning Committee and will plan to return to in-person instruction by the end of August and will invest $97 million in institutional aid that does not need to be repaid by students or their families. Man accused of placing explosive devices on roads in New So there are some early signs that we're headed in the wrong direction. Already, two other XBB strains, XBB.1.9.1 and XBB.1.9.2 are also rising in the U.S. Covid Sixty-five people attended a reception in Millinocket at a hall that had capacity for 50 people. The number of COVID-19 infections in Maine has jumped 35 percent since July 1 as the delta variant has swept across every corner of Maine, leading to record numbers [122] One round trip between Boston and Brunswick was resumed on June 15, 2020. [115], The Maine Department of Transportation said that since the stay at home order issued by Gov. This decrease was due almost exclusively to declines in passenger cars using the road, as commercial traffic only declined 1 percent. But this time, the story is more complicated than it was in previous waves. There are 54 critical care beds available in the state. What is clear,according to MGH's Lemieux,is that it has the ability to drive up cases. On March 12, Maine announced the state's first confirmed case of the coronavirus, a Navy reservist in her 50s from Androscoggin County who had returned from duty in Italy. Create one. "There are a number of states where these increases have persisted for two or more weeks, and that's usually the metric we look for to say a trend is happening. Fact: COVID vaccines are not in the food supply - Los Angeles Times The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention reported that the state's second-largest outbreak occurred after a wedding reception on August 7, 2020. Share this Article. [49], On April 22, Gov. [80] Colby College announced that all on-campus classes would end the week of March 12, 2020 and students would move off campus. People who have not been fully vaccinated are 6.1 times more likely to test positive with the virus and 11.3 times more likely to die from it, compared with people who are vaccinated, according to federal data. In order to avoid confusion, Stewart said the theater is planning to stick with a masked audience as long as transmission levels remain elevated in Cumberland County and until it is clear the county is back in a sustained period of low transmission. (NY Times) Apr 26, 2022 CDC estimates that 3 in 4 children have had COVID-19 infections and more than half of all Americans had signs of previous infections (US News) Apr 21, 2022 Mills announced a plan to gradually restart Maine's economy. [25] She also convened a conference call with Senator Susan Collins, Senator Angus King, Representative Chellie Pingree, and Representative Jared Golden to discuss the State response to the pandemic. [99] Short-term workforce training including an online pharmacy technician training and professional education online licenses in areas such as business, data analysis, finance, and human resources were also made available by SMCC to those impacted by the pandemic. Im committed to protecting the health of our staff as well as the public we serve, and as such we will continue to monitor public health recommendations and requirements and make sure were doing whats in the best interest of our community, Jennings said in the citys release. [70] Commencement ceremonies across the university system originally scheduled for May 9, 2020 were postponed, and each individual university will designate a postponement date. COVID WebTo keep up with Maine's evolving COVID-19 response, Maine CDC is returning to routine operations. Gabrielle Emanuel Twitter Senior Health and Science ReporterGabrielle Emanuel is a senior health and science reporter for WBUR. [90] On March 13, 2020, Husson University announced that it would move the majority of classes to online formats, with some exceptions for graduate and professional school courses, and on March 20, 2020, the university announced that it would postpone its commencement ceremonies. CONCORD, N.H. (CBS/AP) Maine is reinstating restrictions meant to curb the spread of COVID-19 amid a resurgence of the virus, Gov. Actual case numbers are probably higher. The newly released data also shows nine more Mainers died with the virus. Since the onset of the pandemic, LifeFlight of Maine, which provides critical care transport across the state, has not seen a decline in the steady stream of patients in need of urgent care. All rights reserved. Keeping the surge somewhat in check, experts said, is a higher level of immunity in the U.S. from vaccination or past infection compared with early winter. The rolling average of daily cases more than COVID-19: Maine Data| Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) [4][5] On March 27, 2020, Maine reported its first death due to coronavirus, which was a man in his 80s from Cumberland County. [26] Additionally, Governor Mills signed an executive order to require school districts to continue paying hourly employees for the duration of the school year. In India, the number of active coronavirus cases has been steadily rising in recent weeks, with almost 50,000 recorded on Friday, according to the countrys Health On Tuesday, Pfizer requested the Food and Drug Administration allow all Americans over 18 to be eligible for booster shots. No additional deaths were reported, leaving the number at 900. ", Vermont sees record surge in COVID-19 infections. COVID hospitalizations and deaths also tend to lag other increases, since it takes time for patients who become infected to get sick enough to require hospital treatment, and many people will experience only mild or moderate symptoms. But the situation has changed in the past week so that there has been more clarity from the U.S. CDC as well as more stability because we are all headed in the same direction. Unfortunately for Maine, that direction is toward transmission rates rising to the point that masks may soon be recommended in most if not all counties, Shah said. It's Boston local news in one concise, fun and informative email. Maine Reinstates Coronavirus Restrictions Amid Rising Cases Waldo County remains in the high transmission category, where mask wearing also is recommended. There were no new deaths, according to the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention. PORTLAND, Maine (AP) Maine officials are urging more precaution in schools due to rising numbers of coronavirus cases in some parts of the state. Track Covid-19 in Maine - The New York Times Covid-19 cases are rising in China but economic impact seen as limited Percentage of people testing positive rose to 1.7 per cent on April 20 up from 0.7 per cent three weeks earlier Dr. Eric Topol, head of Scripps Research Translational Institute, said case numbers will likely keep growing until the surge reaches about a quarter the height of the last "monstrous" one in the winter, according to the Associated Press. I'm concerned about yet another surge beginning after Thanksgiving (just like last year). The order also required residents of Maine to wear cloth face coverings in public places where physical distancing could not be achieved, such as within retail stores and taking public transportation. The Rising Nepal; Sun, 23 April 2023; Glimpses of a changing Earth, as seen from above. Millions are travelling during the five-day Labour Day holiday. Health experts also say that it will also be critical for people to get the flu vaccine, in addition to their COVID-19 shots, as both vaccines only protect against their respective diseases. [18], On March 24, 2020, Governor Mills ordered all non-essential businesses to close their physical locations and cease in-person contact and urged all essential businesses to limit the number of individuals in stores at any given time. But when Gabriela Andujar Vazquez, an infectious disease physician and associate hospital epidemiologist at Tufts Medical Center, looked at the same numbers, she was not surprised. [87] Maine College of Art closed all academic buildings to students on March 15, 2020, and announced on March 29, 2020, that the remainder of the spring term would be conducted online. [100], Eastern Maine Community College (EMCC) announced an extended spring break on March 13, 2020. [68] Half of the federal aid money received will go directly to supporting students. 11:30 p.m. "Lowering temperatures, increased population mixing, reduced masking, fully open schools and the more contagious delta variant all contribute to the increases in cases and hospitalizations in many parts of the country. City Manager Jon Jennings is reimplementing increased mask requirements for city staff in city buildings as well. Saturday saw 98 new cases, and one more person lost their life to the virus. That has not happened. [18], On March 16, 2020, Maine was one of the first states to have its application for the United States Small Business Administration Economic Injury Disaster Loan approved, which would help businesses in Maine recover financial losses due to coronavirus closures. The University of Maine System isrequiring vaccines for on-campus students this fall, accelerating a previously stated timeline that called for a vaccine requirement for students and staff after a vaccine received full approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. On Thursday there were 44 people hospitalized with COVID-19 in Maine, including 18 in critical care and seven on ventilators. The U.S. reported 112,270 new According to the state agency, this significant increase is due to the processing of backlogged COVID test results using an automated system. Why COVID is a threat despite shrunken waves | The Star "We won't have transmission when people are outdoors. "Waning immunity likely is also contributing to increases in cases especially among those with increased vulnerability because of underlying conditions. Why COVID Mills, traffic on state roads had declined by double digits. [116], Island Explorer bus service was cancelled for the 2020 season due to the difficulty of complying with social distancing measures,[119] though limited service is planned to resume in 2021. Mask wearing is incredibly protective.. Covid cases Reported confirmed and probable cases. [88][89] Saint Joseph's College of Maine has transitioned all classroom instruction to online formats and held a virtual commencement ceremony on May 9, 2020. Login. Maine and Vermont, Once Shining Lights in Covid Fight, Now See Covid cases You can share 5 more gift articles this month.. ", Jennifer Nuzzo, epidemiology lead at the Johns Hopkins University Coronavirus Resource Center, called the stall in the national decline "worrisome. Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention Director Nirav Shah noted those numbers might increase on Wednesday, saying that certain situations where more That's "good news," shesaid, and a testament to the relatively high vaccination rate in the state. Maine has been one of the most successful states at controlling the virus, but it's dealing with a wave of new infections. Photo: Reuters Malaysia s mask mandate may make a return to schools, as the Health [82] On March 19, 2020, a staff member in the Colby College department of athletics was the college's first positive case. "I always get worried when cases go up but we should be okay.". [77], Bowdoin College announced on March 11, 2020, that students would not be permitted to return to campus from spring break and that the remainder of the semester would be conducted by remote learning. WebIn the state-specific view of the graph, this two-week period is highlighted in orange if cases are trending upward, or green if they are trending down. As of February 2, 2021, the Maine Department of Health and Human [111], Northern Maine Community College (NMCC) discontinued face-to-face classroom instruction on March 18, 2020, and also canceled their spring 2020 commencement ceremony. [51][18], On April 28, Gov. "We need to stop talking as though covid is over," Dr. Peter Hotez, dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, tweeted last week. As we enter these winter months, it will be more important than ever to wear your mask, practice social distancing, and maintain proper hand hygiene.". [36] Additionally, ten state parks were closed by the Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry's Bureau of Parks and Lands on March 26, including Reid State Park, Popham Beach State Park, Fort Popham, Fort Baldwin, Kettle Cove State Park, Two Lights State Park, Crescent Beach State Park, Scarborough Beach State Park, Ferry Beach State Park, and Mackworth Island. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. On April 10, Gov. [31] She also issued an executive order which would allow licensed physicians, physician assistants, and nurses who were licensed in another state to be issued an emergency Maine license valid through the declared state of emergency. Use the form below to reset your password. [118] Traffic counts had decreased by 20 percent in the immediate aftermath of the stay at home order, with weekend traffic falling 50 percent. "Winter is coming," California Gov. Experts say several factors is likely driving the U.S.'s recent COVID uptick. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Passengers using walkers and wheelchairs were allowed to board from the front of the bus. Janet Mills said Sunday. The seven-day average for case counts is over three times higher than it was in March. He surmises that vacation travel and get-togethers gave the virus an opportunity to spread. One resident each in Cumberland, Waldo and Franklin counties. The patterns observed in communities with current spikes in infections and hospitalizations suggest that they are driven not only by those still unvaccinated, but also the decline of vaccine efficacy over time. The Maine CDC warns the numbers will remain high for the next several days. "If we do not control this outbreak, we may never get this evil genie back in the bottle," she said. Moderna and Pfizer recipients are encouraged to get a booster shot six months after receiving their second dose, if they are over the age of 65, have an underlying medical condition or are at high risk for exposure. [64], On June 11, 2021, Mills announced the end of the state of emergency originally started on March 15, 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Already have a commenting profile? November 1, 2020 / 6:00 PM Percentage of population: 60.91%. Published: Feb. 16, 2022 at 8:47 AM EST The new case numbers reflect rising rates of infection in Aroostook and Franklin counties, where new cases reported Thursday placed them in the substantial transmission category that triggers the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendation for all people, regardless of vaccination, to wear masks indoors. Shah said whipsawing between recommendations where masking is recommended in a county on Monday, not on Tuesday but recommended again on Wednesday can undermine confidence in public health. The It's really indoors where the transmission is happening," said Horsburgh. While hospital officials do not report their facilities areoverwhelmed by COVID patients, hospitalizations are on the rise.

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