Dr. Shah Concerned About Greater COVID Transmission This Winter

In Tuesday's Maine CDC update, director Dr. Nirav Shah expressed concern about the possibility of greater transmission of COVID-19 during the winter months.

"As we go into the winter and the colder months, as more activity occurs indoors, in and around people we know, we have to now be equally concerned not so much about public spaces, but private spaces." Shah said. "One of the first things everyone can do in general to stay healthy is to go get your flu shot."

The cumulative number of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in Maine is now at 5,780, an increase of 28 since Monday. 5,160 of those cases are confirmed while 620 are deemed probable.

There were no new deaths reported of an individual with COVID-19, keeping the total to 143. 463 patients have had to be hospitalized at some point. 8 are currently hospitalized with 3 in intensive care and none on a ventilator.

5,006 people diagnosed with COVID-19 have recovered, an increase of 8 since Monday. The total number of diagnosed active and cases of COVID-19 is 631, an increase of 20.

Governor Mills has extended the State of Emergency in Maine through October 29, 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, and order which began today, October 13.

You can view the full list of businesses and read the guidelines for each on The Maine Department of Economic and Community Development's website.

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.