PORTLAND, Maine (AP) - Maine topped 500 new daily infections for the first time during the pandemic on Wednesday, a day after hospitals began providing the first COVID-19 vaccines to health care workers.
Health officials have warned Mainers that “forceful and widespread” community transmission is being seen throughout the state.
The first person to receive the vaccine on Tuesday was Kayla Mitchell, 31, of Scarborough, a registered nurse who works in the intensive care unit at Maine Medical Center, the Portland Press Herald reported. At least 475 health care workers have been vaccinated in the state so far, said Dr. Nirav Shah, director of the Maine Center for Disease Control and Preventon.
Mitchell told the newspaper she’s confident the vaccine is safe and effective, especially compared to the pain and suffering of the disease.
“I trust the science and I trust that receiving the vaccine is a safer alternative to how critically ill patients are suffering,” Mitchell said. “I’ve seen enough. People are scared and they end up alone. It’s exhausting and it’s relentless.”
The report of 551 infections, and two more deaths marked the seventh time in the past 10 days when Maine saw new cases rise above 400.
The seven-day daily average stood at 409.3 on Wednesday, more than double a month ago, the Maine CDC said.
In other virus news in Maine:
VACCINE ROLLOUT
The state’s first phase of vaccine rollout focuses on hospital health care workers, and more health facilities provided vaccines to personnel on Wednesday.
The first phase is also scheduled to include residents of long-term care facilities. The first such residents are slated to receive the vaccine on Monday, Shah said.
Future phases of the rollout will include essential and front-line workers and then older residents and people with serious medical conditions.
The state is planning public education efforts about the importance of the vaccine, Shah said.
“We’re thinking of ways we can empower and inspire confidence in the vaccine,” he said.
The broader population can expect access to the vaccine in late spring or early summer, public health authorities have said.
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PPE GRANTS
Maine has received more than $5.5 million from the federal government to reimburse the cost of personal protective equipment such as surgical masks for front-line responders, the state’s two U.S. senators said.
The grants will also over the costs of disposable non-sterile isolation gowns and disposable isolation suits, Republican U.S. Sen. Susan Collins and independent U.S. Sen. Angus King said. The funding arrives via the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
The senators said it’s “imperative that health care professionals across Maine are properly equipped to treat individuals who contract the virus and prevent further transmission.”
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