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Tuesday, April 21. Here’s today’s update for covid-19 in Maine. Since yesterday, there are:
+13 cases
+29 recoveries
+1 death
+1 hospitalization
Holding steady on occupied ICU beds (16)
It also appears that Cumberland County, up 6 cases, is driving today’s total increase.
+13 cases
+29 recoveries
+1 death
+1 hospitalization
Holding steady on occupied ICU beds (16)
It also appears that Cumberland County, up 6 cases, is driving today’s total increase.
Today’s briefing with @nirav_mainecdc is at 2 pm. Follow here for updates.
Dr. Shah says the person who died, the 36th person, was a man in his 80s from Cumberland County.
215 healthcare workers have been infected, that's +3 from yesterday.
Longterm care facility outbreaks (LCTFs):
Augusta rehab: 47 residents, 26 staff - no change from Mon.
Falmouth by Sea: 7 res, 7 staff - no change
Vets Home: 30 res, 17 staff, 1 death (5 total) - no change
Tall Pines: 29 res, 10 staff (+1)
Cedars: 7 res, 3 staff - no change
Augusta rehab: 47 residents, 26 staff - no change from Mon.
Falmouth by Sea: 7 res, 7 staff - no change
Vets Home: 30 res, 17 staff, 1 death (5 total) - no change
Tall Pines: 29 res, 10 staff (+1)
Cedars: 7 res, 3 staff - no change
Shah: Maine CDC continues to prioritize personal protective equipment to LCTFs.
He says 1,070 healthcare facilities have received PPE. This includes EMT/EMS as well as LCTFs.
He says 1,070 healthcare facilities have received PPE. This includes EMT/EMS as well as LCTFs.
Shah urging people with non-covid health concerns to seek care. Here's what he's talking about: https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/coronavirus-surges-non-covid-medical-emergencies-take-back-seat-putting-n1175871
Asked Shah about high false-negative rates of Abbott's rapid test: He says positive results are something health officials can have faith in. Says Maine CDC has asked all ppl using those tests to send in batch of negatives to test against regular tests.
Shah has also told docs to treat suspected covid-19 patients as if they have it, regardless of Abbott results.
Here's the issue I asked about: https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2020/04/21/838794281/study-raises-questions-about-false-negatives-from-quick-covid-19-test
Here's the issue I asked about: https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2020/04/21/838794281/study-raises-questions-about-false-negatives-from-quick-covid-19-test
Some additional context: Maine CDC is hoping that the Abbott tests will help anchor testing expansion going forward. Shah has said that CDC hopes to use them at homeless shelters, where a quick turnaround is key to tracking people who are transient.
Shah is asked about LCTFs and ppl who might have died at one vs. at a hospital. He says the decision is by family members. No CDC intervention.
Shah on active cases, which doesn't include ppl who have died or those who have recovered. We now have more recoveries than active cases. Shah won't speculate on trend, only that "we're still in the middle of this."
Shah, again, on whether there are any trends to be gleaned from active cases & hospitalizations. He says the numbers are so small that it's difficult to say if they're indicative of anything. He cautions against "taking foot off the gas," says second outbreak still a threat.
