On Monday, two young women walk down Portland’s Exchange Street, which has been blocked from vehicle traffic. Ben McCanna / Staff Photographer
Maine reported 20 new cases of COVID-19 on Friday and there were no new deaths, as an investigation continues into an outbreak at a Lewiston nursing home.
Eleven of the 20 cases were at Marshwood Center in Lewiston. The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention announced the outbreak on Thursday and said the 11 cases will be added to Friday’s numbers. Dr. Nirav Shah, director of the CDC of Maine, said Thursday that Marshwood had been routinely testing all staff, but the investigation into the outbreak was still in its early stages.
Overall, there have been 3,757 cases in Maine since the pandemic began, and 118 deaths.
Overall trends in Maine have been positive recently, with a gradual reduction in the number of active cases, relatively low rates of infection and mortality, and a decrease in hospitalizations. But public health officials have repeatedly warned that Maine cannot let its guard down or that it could see a resurgence similar to that of other states.
Dr. Anne Mills, vice president of community health for MaineHealth, the parent company of the Maine Medical Center, said in a Facebook post on Thursday that she is concerned that Maine is vulnerable to a “super spread” event of a big party at the House. News reports link at least 10 cases of COVID-19 to a recent party in Chatham, Massachusetts.
“This virus is known to spread in such events. I keep seeing photos of similar gatherings from all over Maine (and jogging or driving some too). It only takes two or three of these events to jump-start us, ”wrote Mills, sister of Maine Governor Janet Mills. “You don’t want your celebration to be written as a super-extended event that caused illness, death, or schools to be closed. This virus is not done with us! Please be careful. Wear masks, look at your distance and wash your hands.
This story will be updated.
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