AUGUSTA — The Maine CDC has updated its list, Dec. 31, 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.”

However, at this time, the total number of cases of COVID-19 in Maine is higher than the case numbers shown here due to the volume of new positive lab reports being sent to Maine CDC. 

“New positive COVID-19 lab reports are being received at a faster rate than Maine CDC has been able to review them to determine if the lab result reflects (a) a new case of COVID-19 in Maine, (b) a duplicate result (where the same person has already been counted as a case), or (c) an out-of-state resident,” says the Maine CDC. “As a result, reported case numbers do not currently reflect the total number of people in Maine who have tested positive for COVID-19. At this time, the total number of cases of COVID-19 in Maine is higher than the case numbers shown here.” 

Furthermore, according to Maine CDC: “Starting December 5th, Maine CDC has focused its efforts to follow up with cases of COVID-19 on cases who are under the age of 19, over the age of 64, or who meet certain other criteria (including being hospitalized, identified as a minority, identified as having a disability, being a health care worker or first responder, living or working in congregate settings, or associated with a school or child care facility). Depending on available resources and case levels, Maine CDC may follow up with other cases who do not meet those criteria.” 

There have been more than 24,200 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 11,300 individuals have recovered statewide from COVID-19, though the Maine CDC is no longer as routinely updating this data due to the influx of new daily cases. 

“Prior to November 25th, Maine CDC attempted multiple follow-up calls with every identified case of COVID-19 in Maine in order to assess whether their isolation period was completed,” the organization reports on its website. “Since that date, Maine CDC has not conducted routine follow-up calls with every identified case, so the count of people who have completed isolations is no longer updated.”

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, 347 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 more than 1,060. 

Looking at present hospital COVID-19 data, there are presently 177 hospitalized, including 48 in critical care and 19 on a ventilator.

Knox County, since March, has recorded 370 cases, 195 recoveries, 18 hospitalizations and four deaths. This data includes an increase of nine new cases and one new recovery since yesterday’s update.

Waldo County, since March, has recorded 380 cases, 208 recoveries, 19 hospitalizations and 17 deaths. This data includes an increase of two new cases since yesterday’s update. 

Lincoln County, since March, has recorded 301 cases, 144 recoveries, 12 hospitalizations and two deaths. This data includes an increase of five new cases since yesterday’s update.