LincolnHealth reported 27 new COVID-19 cases from 328 tests for the week of April 4. Testing rose 12% from the previous week and cases more than doubled for an 8.23% positivity rate, the highest in the past month. Breakthrough cases, those who have been vaccinated and contracted the virus, more than tripled with 17 cases or 63% of cases.

LincolnHealth’s John Martins said the upward trend has been happening in many other states and Maine has been no exception. MaineHealth has been encouraging vaccinations and booster shots to protect against the virus and to greatly reduce likelihood of hospitalization if the virus is contracted.

Martins said those 50 and older and the immunocompromised 12 and older are being encouraged to seek second booster shots. Eligibility and appointment scheduling details are at vaccine.mainehealth.org.

People should also continue staying home when sick, said Martins. Mild cold or allergy symptoms are still symptoms of COVID-19, he said. Anyone with the symptoms or those who have been around others exhibiting symptoms should get tested as soon as possible. Those who have tested positive for the virus using a home test should report to their primary care provider. “There are many options for testing, and MaineHealth recommends getting tested as quickly as possible so you can get treatment if necessary … If you are high risk, there may be treatment options available within the first few days, and your provider can recommend what’s best for you.”

More information on what to do when affected by COVID-19 can be found at https://www.mainehealth.org/Coronavirus-COVID-19/What-to-do.