During a live briefing on Thursday afternoon, Maine CDC Director Dr. Nirav Shah reported that there are 624 new cases of COVID-19 since Wednesday, the largest single-day increase of new cases reported since January 8 when that number was 782. The cumulative number of COVID-19 cases reported in Maine is now at 76,913.

3 additional deaths were reported of individuals with COVID-19, bringing the total number of deaths to 937. 2,315 people have had to be hospitalized at some point. 160 are currently hospitalized with 67 in intensive care and 26 on a ventilator.

Dr. Shah emphasized the stark reality of those large numbers as the delta variant spreads through the state. He said that 29 of the new cases were among health care workers and that of 33 Coivid outbreaks in the state that the Maine CDC is investigating, 19 of them are in health care facilities or group homes. Shah noted that these numbers "once again underscore our focus on making sure healthcare workers are vaccinated."

The state has a total of 328 ICU beds and only 45 are currently available.

Dr. Shah went on to say that the number of daily Covid cases is "Ceratin to go up" as the Maine CDC investigates 1800 positive lab results that came in within the last week which are awaiting review.

803,083 of all Mainers have received at least the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine and 847,308 have completed their vaccination series. That equates to approximately 63% of all Mainers who are fully vaccinated and 60% who have received at least the first of two doses of the vaccine. Of those fully vaccinated, there have been 1818 breakthroughs or 0.21% of vaccinated.

Of those who are eligible for the vaccine, being 12 years of age or older, 67.8% have received the first dose and 71.5% are fully vaccinated.

 

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