Dec. 5 update: Midcoast adds 24 new cases, six new recoveries

Sat, 12/05/2020 - 8:30am

AUGUSTA — The Maine CDC has updated its list, Dec. 5, of COVID-19 cases in the state of Maine.

Each morning, the Maine CDC updates its COVID-19 data on its website with the latest coronavirus numbers from across the state.

The below 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 13,100 confirmed and probable cases of COVID-19 across the state since the outbreak began in March. 

A confirmed case means an individual received a positive PCR test result from any approved lab. Probable cases occur when an individual has been in close contact with a positive individual and is symptomatic or an individual has a positive serology test and is either a close contact of a confirmed case or displays two or more COVID-19 symptoms. 

Since the outbreak began in Maine, more than 9,900 individuals have recovered statewide from COVID-19. 

Recovered means a person has met the released from isolation requirements defined by U.S. CDC. The requirements are: at least 72 hours have passed since recovery, defined as resolution of fever without the use of fever-reducing medications and improvement in respiratory symptoms (e.g., cough, shortness of breath); and, at least 10 days have passed since symptoms first appeared.

Across the state, 227 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 March stands at 760. 

Looking at present hospital COVID-19 data, there are presently 164 hospitalized, including 45 in critical care and 17 on a ventilator.

Knox County, since March, has recorded 226 cases, 182 recoveries, 16 hospitalizations and four deaths. This data includes an increase of seven new cases and two new recoveries since yesterday’s update. 

Waldo County, since March, has recorded 256 cases, 191 recoveries, 17 hospitalizations and 17 deaths. This data includes an increase of 12 new cases, four new recoveries and one new death since yesterday’s update.

Lincoln County, since March, has recorded 178 cases, 136 recoveries, 11 hospitalizations and two deaths. This data includes an increase of five new cases since yesterday’s update.