Dec. 23 update: Midcoast adds 131 new COVID-19 cases

Thu, 12/23/2021 - 8:30am

AUGUSTA — The Maine CDC has updated its list of COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and deaths in the state of Maine.

Maine CDC conducts case investigations and contact tracing Monday through Friday. As a result, COVID-19 case data will be updated Tuesday through Saturday. Case data will not be updated Sunday and Monday or on holidays.

Knox County, since March 2020, has recorded 2,896 cases, 63 hospitalizations and 19 deaths. This data includes an increase of 69 new cases since yesterday’s update.

Waldo County, since March 2020, has recorded 3,400 cases, 76 hospitalizations and 37 deaths. This data includes an increase of 29 new cases since yesterday’s update.

Lincoln County, since March 2020, has recorded 2,636 cases, 47 hospitalizations and 11 deaths. This data includes an increase of 33 new cases since yesterday’s update.

The above data represents the number of full-time Maine residents who have been tested for COVID-19, according to the Maine CDC.

“Data are about individuals who claim residency in Maine regardless of what state they were tested in, or where they are currently living,” the Maine CDC says. “For example, an individual who claims residency in Maine but lives in Florida will appear in this data even if they were living in Florida at the time of illness. County listings are by residence of patient, not location of the hospital or testing location.”

There have been more than 140,500 confirmed and probable cases of COVID-19 across the state since the outbreak began in March 2020. A confirmed case represents when SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detected using a molecular amplification test (e.g. PCR) from any approved lab.

Across the state, 1,472 individuals have passed away since the start of the outbreak after testing positive for COVID-19.

The cumulative number of people hospitalized, at some point during their illness, across the state since the start of the outbreak stands at more than 3,300.

Looking at present statewide hospital COVID-19 data, there are presently 375 hospitalized, including 124 in critical care and 60 on a ventilator.