The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention posted 321 new cases of COVID-19 on Christmas Day, along with two new deaths.The 321 new cases brings the statewide total to 21,547.Since the pandemic began, 319 people have died after testing positive for coronavirus in Maine. Friday’s numbers are roughly half of the single-day case counts for both Wednesday and Thursday, during which time there were 1,483 new cases in those two days alone. On Wednesday, Maine CDC Director Dr. Nirav Shah said a portion of the jump new cases can be attributed to more efficient processing of case reports. The CDC had a backlog of those case reports, but Shah said they’ve increased staffing, upgraded its IT system, and has streamlined its approach to how it processes those reports.MAINE CORONAVIRUS DATA:Deaths: 319Total cases: 21,547Confirmed cases: 18,517Probable cases: 3,030Cumulative positivity rate: 2.26%14-day positivity rate: 4.6%Patients recovered: 11,107 Currently hospitalized: 187Patients in intensive care: 46Patients on ventilators: 19COVID-19 symptomsPer the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, these are the symptoms you should watch out for:Fever or chillsCoughShortness of breath or difficulty breathingFatigueMuscle or body achesHeadacheNew loss of taste or smellSore throatCongestion or runny noseNausea or vomitingDiarrheaThis list does not include all possible symptoms. CDC will continue to update this list as they learn more about the virus.Should I get tested for COVID-19? Where can I get a test in Maine?The CDC recommends that you should consider taking a COVID-19 test if you:Have symptoms of COVID-19.Have had close contact (within 6 feet for a total of 15 minutes or more) with someone with confirmed COVID-19.Have been asked or referred to get testing by their health care provider, local/external icon or state health department.Emergency care for COVID-19 symptomsThe CDC says to look for emergency warning signs for coronavirus. If someone is showing any of these signs, seek emergency medical care immediately:Trouble breathingPersistent pain or pressure in the chestNew confusionInability to wake or stay awakeBluish lips or faceThis list is not all possible symptoms. Call your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning to you. Call 911 or call ahead to your local emergency facility: Notify the operator that you are seeking care for someone who has or may have COVID-19.Maine COVID-19 ResourcesStrengthenME: The Maine Department of Health and Human Services created StrengthenME to help Mainers cope with the stress and uncertainty of the pandemic. The program offers a hotline that is open seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Anyone in need of assistance can call the hotline at 207-221-8198.Maine Helps: The Maine Helps website offers ways Mainers can directly help nonprofits, health care and businesses during the COVID-19 outbreak.FrontLine WarmLine: Maine Department of Health and Human Services phone line to help Mainers who are working on the front lines of the coronavirus outbreak. The phone line will be staffed from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. each day by calling 207-221-8196 or 866-367-4440. The service will eventually include a text option, officials said.211 Maine: The state’s 211 system can answer general questions about coronavirus from callers. Mainers can also text 898-211 to have their questions answered.NAMI Maine Resources: NAMI Maine is offering several programs to help people with mental health concerns due to the COVID-19 crisis.
AUGUSTA, Maine —
The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention posted 321 new cases of COVID-19 on Christmas Day, along with two new deaths.
The 321 new cases brings the statewide total to 21,547.
Since the pandemic began, 319 people have died after testing positive for coronavirus in Maine.
Friday’s numbers are roughly half of the single-day case counts for both Wednesday and Thursday, during which time there were 1,483 new cases in those two days alone.
On Wednesday, Maine CDC Director Dr. Nirav Shah said a portion of the jump new cases can be attributed to more efficient processing of case reports. The CDC had a backlog of those case reports, but Shah said they’ve increased staffing, upgraded its IT system, and has streamlined its approach to how it processes those reports.
MAINE CORONAVIRUS DATA:
- Deaths: 319
- Total cases: 21,547
- Confirmed cases: 18,517
- Probable cases: 3,030
- Cumulative positivity rate: 2.26%
- 14-day positivity rate: 4.6%
- Patients recovered: 11,107
- Currently hospitalized: 187
- Patients in intensive care: 46
- Patients on ventilators: 19
COVID-19 symptoms
Per the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, these are the symptoms you should watch out for:
- Fever or chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache
- New loss of taste or smell
- Sore throat
- Congestion or runny nose
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
This list does not include all possible symptoms. CDC will continue to update this list as they learn more about the virus.
Should I get tested for COVID-19? Where can I get a test in Maine?
The CDC recommends that you should consider taking a COVID-19 test if you:
- Have symptoms of COVID-19.
- Have had close contact (within 6 feet for a total of 15 minutes or more) with someone with confirmed COVID-19.
- Have been asked or referred to get testing by their health care provider, local/external icon or state health department.
Emergency care for COVID-19 symptoms
The CDC says to look for emergency warning signs for coronavirus. If someone is showing any of these signs, seek emergency medical care immediately:
- Trouble breathing
- Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
- New confusion
- Inability to wake or stay awake
- Bluish lips or face
This list is not all possible symptoms. Call your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning to you. Call 911 or call ahead to your local emergency facility: Notify the operator that you are seeking care for someone who has or may have COVID-19.
Maine COVID-19 Resources
StrengthenME: The Maine Department of Health and Human Services created StrengthenME to help Mainers cope with the stress and uncertainty of the pandemic. The program offers a hotline that is open seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Anyone in need of assistance can call the hotline at 207-221-8198.
Maine Helps: The Maine Helps website offers ways Mainers can directly help nonprofits, health care and businesses during the COVID-19 outbreak.
FrontLine WarmLine: Maine Department of Health and Human Services phone line to help Mainers who are working on the front lines of the coronavirus outbreak. The phone line will be staffed from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. each day by calling 207-221-8196 or 866-367-4440. The service will eventually include a text option, officials said.
211 Maine: The state’s 211 system can answer general questions about coronavirus from callers. Mainers can also text 898-211 to have their questions answered.
NAMI Maine Resources: NAMI Maine is offering several programs to help people with mental health concerns due to the COVID-19 crisis.