As of today, June 21, 2020, there have been 2957 cases of COVID-19 among Maine residents reported by the Maine CDC. There have been 328 cases in the “probable” category (known close contacts of confirmed cases with symptomatic disease as previously discussed). Reportedly, 2391 people have recovered from COVID-19 in Maine. In the last two weeks we have accumulated four new deaths due to COVID-19, bringing that unfortunate total to 102 Maine residents. The only good news about that accounting is that the rate of deaths has been falling. In the just over two weeks since I last reported on the numbers, the number of new cases per day has averaged 28, dropping from a prior two week average of 36 cases per day. The number of current active cases has fallen to 464, a number which has been declining since a peak of 712 on May 26, 2020. In the attached graphic active cases are represented by a green line, which also shows a downward trend. Note, if you cannot see the graphic, please view this article on the website. The current seven day average number of active cases has been 478, down from 628 two weeks back.
The number of health care workers that had been infected since testing began was 743 as of Friday, June 19 (the last day for which the data is available). This represented 26% of cases reported in the state on that date. Testing for health care workers has been symptom-based for the most part, in some cases related to direct exposure, and included in universal testing at congregate care facilities. In short, the vast majority of health care workers in the state have not been tested.
These numbers are a snapshot, a look at the available data, not a picture of every COVID-19 infection, and no clear measure of asymptomatic carriers in the state. Still, numbers are trending down. On the other hand, we are “opening up” and our summer population is growing. It is possible that we could see another wave of infections soon, even more likely in the fall if there is not a vaccine or some other intervention. Physical distancing, wearing a mask, and hand washing are still excellent tools to limit the spread of COVID-19. Please help to keep the numbers down.
