AUGUSTA — The Maine CDC has updated its list, Dec. 21, 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.” 

There have been more than 19,200 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 10,800 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, 293 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 980. 

Looking at present hospital COVID-19 data, there are presently 162 hospitalized, including 49 in critical care and 18 on a ventilator.

Knox County, since March, has recorded 296 cases, 187 recoveries, 18 hospitalizations and four deaths. This data includes no changes since yesterday’s update. 

Waldo County, since March, has recorded 336 cases, 201 recoveries, 18 hospitalizations and 17 deaths. This data includes an increase of one new case since yesterday’s update. 

Lincoln County, since March, has recorded 237 cases, 142 recoveries, 12 hospitalizations and two deaths. This data includes an increase of two new cases since yesterday’s update.