LincolnHealth reported a record 151 COVID-19 cases from 769 tests for the week of Dec. 13. The positivity rate also rose to a record high of 19.64%. Breakthrough cases, those who have been vaccinated and contracted the virus, also spiked with a total of 58 cases or 38%. Numbers for people under 18 also rose over 25% to 46 cases or 30.5% of cases.

“The message from our providers continues to be to get your vaccine and when the time comes, get boosted,” said LincolnHealth’s John Martins. “Research has consistently shown that doing so may very well save your life as most of those who are hospitalized and critically ill are unvaccinated.”

Pediatric COVID-19 vaccinations are now available from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday in the Lincoln Medical Partners Primary Care Damariscotta office, Martins said. Pediatric patients do not need to schedule a special appointment to get vaccinated, he said. The Pfizer booster is also available for 16 and 17-year-olds who have gotten their second dose at least six months ago.

Martins said the adult clinics have openings and LincolnHealth recommends getting the booster shot ahead of the busy holiday. “In many areas, there’s a long wait to get a booster. We’re fortunate to have some availability now.”

Bed capacity on the LincolnHealth Miles campus medical and surgical floor has opened recently, though capacity in general continues to be a struggle, said Martins. However, unlike most hospitals, LincolnHealth is not postponing all non-emergent procedures, he said. Surgeries are constantly being assessed and the schedules adjusted as needed.

LincolnHealth is asking those who do not need emergency care to go to their primary care provider or the St. Andrews Urgent Care Center. The emergency department is still busy and continues to board patients awaiting transfer, said Martins. “It is (also) important for patients who are scheduling appointments in primary care to be candid about potential COVID-19 symptoms. Patients who are symptomatic will be seen and it is helpful to our staff to know a patient has symptoms so we can have our environment, and our staff, adequately prepared.”

The St. Andrews Urgent Care Center in Boothbay Harbor will be closed Christmas Day, one of only two days a year the center closes, and will open again at 8 a.m. Dec. 26.