Dr. Shah Urges Mainers to Keep Up to Date With Their Vaccinations

Maine CDC director Dr. Shah Nirav Shah noted today the importance of Mainer's taking the time to see their health care providers for their routine medical visits. Shah especially stressed the importance of well child checks and routine vaccinations.

"I ask everyone to make sure that they and their family members are up to date on routine recommended vaccines," Shah said at Wednesday's Maine CDC briefing. "That's one of the best ways to make sure your protecting not just your family members, but other folks in your community who may be elderly, who may have chronic healthcare conditions or who may be immunocompromised."

Dr. Shah announced in today's briefing that the total number of reported cases of the coronavirus (COVID-19) in Maine is now at 1,515, an increase of 38 since Tuesday. 1,372 of those cases are confirmed while 143 are deemed probable.

943 people diagnosed with COIVD-19 have recovered, an increase of 30.

One new death was reported bringing the total number to 66.

The total number of active cases is 506, a increase of 7.

204 patients have had to be hospitalized at some point. 41 are currently hospitalized with 20 of those in critical care and 7 patients on ventilators.

A new statistic that is now being reported by the Maine CDC is the number of tests for COVID-19 that have been performed. This will replace the stat of how many individuals have been tested. It was reported today that the cumulative number of tests that have been performed is 33,035.

The Maine CDC has delivered 10 cases of the drug remdesivir provided by the federal government to Maine hospitals. Remdesivir is currently being tested as a treatment for COVID-19 and has been authorized for emergency use in the U.S. More of the drug may be delivered as soon as next week.

Governor Janet Mills "Stay Safer at Home Order," is in effect through May 31, 2020 and we are currently in state 1 of her four phase plan to reopen the state.

Phase 1 continues the prohibition on gatherings of more than 10 people. People who are able to work from home should continue to do so, and people should wear cloth face coverings in public settings where physical distancing measures are hard to maintain.

If the Maine CDC detects any resurgence of the virus, the state will slow down the stages and reinstate restrictions.

On May 8, Governor Janet Mills announced a plan to allow certain businesses to open in designated counties beginning May 11.

The counties affected by the rural reopening plan are Aroostook, Piscataquis, Washington, Hancock, Somerset, Franklin, Oxford, Kennebec, Waldo, Knox, Lincoln and Sagadahoc. All of these counties have not had shown evidence of community transmission of COVID-19.

Retail stores in these counties may now open to customers provided they adopt the health and safety precautions that the state is releasing. The precautions include restricting the number of customers in the store at any one time, enhancing cleaning and sanitation practices, and maximizing touch free transactions wherever possible.

Beginning Monday, May 18, restaurants in these counties may open for outdoor dining and for limited dine-in service providing they adopt health and safety precautions, such as physically distancing customers, making sure employees follow enhanced hygiene and sanitation practices and controlling customer flow by making reservations only whenever possible.

Also beginning Monday May 18, remote campsites and sporting camps may reopen with public safe guards.

The statewide plan to re-open has had some minor adjustments as well. Fitness and exercise centers statewide will now be permitted to open on May 11 for outdoor classes of 10 people or less or for one-on-one personal training instruction inside.

For a more complete listing of the stages and the governor's layout of those stages, click here.

Click or tap here to see the state's modified COVID-19 prevention checklist.

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.