The pace of new infections is straining the Maine CDC’s ability to review new cases, leading to a backlog that is likely to translate into sustained high numbers in the coming days.
Health
Northern Light Inland Hospital to reopen COVID-19 test site on Monday
Northern Light Inland Hospital in Waterville is reopening the COVID-19 test site due to increased demand, hospital officials say.
Maine hospitals treating record number of ICU patients as new COVID-19 cases climb
More than 90% of patients in intensive care are unvaccinated, say state officials, who have added staffing to handle a backlog of positive tests.
Maine allows more time for required vaccinations as new COVID-19 cases nearly double
Enforcement will begin Oct. 29 rather than Oct. 1, to give health care workers more time to get fully vaccinated. Meanwhile, the state reports the most new cases in a day since Jan. 22.
Number of ICU patients in Maine hospitals jumps, tying pandemic’s all-time high
This latest surge, driven largely by unvaccinated Mainers infected with the delta variant, is straining the state’s hospital system.
Maine could see a jump in new COVID-19 cases within days
Maine CDC’s director says. ‘The numbers are high and they are going up’ as the agency reviews 1,700 positive results, largely from unvaccinated people.
COVID-19 patient counts keep climbing in Maine hospitals
As many people are in intensive care now as during last winter’s surge, with the delta variant pushing unvaccinated people into hospitals.
Hospitalizations highest since June as Maine CDC reports 217 new cases of COVID-19
Maine’s seven-day average of new cases has climbed to levels not seen since May, and 60 people were hospitalized Wednesday, the most since June 6.
Maine Voices: Legislators turn backs on kids by falling short on tobacco control
Maine lawmakers failed to support a life-saving tax increase and a flavored-tobacco ban, and they slashed control funding by over a third.
Masks now recommended for everyone indoors in Waldo, Somerset and Hancock counties
The state reports 60 more ‘breakthrough’ cases among vaccinated people as shifting transmission rates and the patchwork of classifications in Maine cause confusion.