Maine CDC Reports 405 New COVID-19 Cases in Maine and 7 New Deaths

Maine's CDC director, Dr. Nirav Shah, outlines what a vaccine means for Mainers and Covid-19.

According to the Maine CDC's Wednesday update, the cumulative number of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in Maine is now at 14,454, an increase of 405 since Wednesday. There were 7 new deaths reported of individuals with COVID-19, bringing the total to 246. 819 patients have had to be hospitalized at some point. 173 are currently hospitalized with 42 in intensive care and 15 on a ventilator. 10,338 people diagnosed with COVID-19 have recovered.

There is an ourbreak investigation at the Windham Middle School, which reported 6 cases of covid. Also, an investigation was started yesterday at Lewiston Police Department for 16 cases, and York Hospital where they reported 4 cases.

Dr. Nirav Shah spoke about the vaccine and how that will affect the Covid-19 pandemic. He is afraid that people think a vaccine will make the coronavirus disappear as quickly as it appeared. It will not. It will slow the rate of transmission of the disease. But covid will still be with us. But the number of new cases will be less. Dr. Shah said that right now the pandemic is like a speeding train, by the time the brakes are pulled, the train will still go for miles before stopping. The better we get control of the virus today, the more success we will have with the vaccine today, tomorrow and the next month. We all want to get back to normal.

He warns that mask wearing, social distancing and washing our hands will still exist and will be more important than ever. Because the most vulnerable will get the vaccine first, most of us won't see a vaccine for weeks...or months. According to research, any covid vaccine will be much less effective for reducing sickness or death, in any community that has raging cases. Dr. Shah says, where you end up, depends on where you start. Like a speeding train.

Governor Mills has extended the State of Emergency in Maine through December 23, allowing Maine to continue to receive federal funding and use available resources to respond to COVID-19.

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.