In Tuesday's Maine CDC briefing, Dr. Nirav Shah reported on the progress Maine has made over the past 30 days with the positivity rate of COVID-19 testing.

The positivity rate for Maine COVID-19 testing using a 7 day weighted average is 1.08%. 30 days ago that number was 1.95% and nationally that number is about 9%. It's good news to see that number trending down, but as Dr. Shah is known to say, we still need to "keep our foot on the gas."

The latest numbers released Tuesday by the Maine CDC, show that the cumulative number of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in Maine is now at 3,838, an increase of 6 since Monday. 3,433 of those cases are confirmed while 405 are deemed probable.

There were two new deaths reported of individuals with COVID-19, bringing the total number to 121. 384 patients have had to be hospitalized at some point. 12 are currently hospitalized with 7 in critical care and 2 patients on ventilators.

3,319 people diagnosed with COVID-19 have recovered, an increase of 27 since Monday. The total number of diagnosed active cases of COVID-19 is 398, a decrease of 23 since Monday. The cumulative number of COVID-19 negative tests is 161,998 with a cumulative positivity rate of 2.83%.

Governor Mills issued an executive order on July 8 requiring large retail stores, lodging, restaurants, outdoor bars and tasting rooms in coastal counties and Maine's largest cities to enforce the state's face covering requirement.

The counties where businesses are be required to enforce the face covering requirement are those that are expected to have an influx of people in the next few months: Hancock, Waldo, Knox, Lincoln, Sagadahoc, Cumberland and York as well as the more populated inland cities Bangor/Brewer and Lewiston/Auburn.

The face covering enforcement requirement will be added to the certification checklist that businesses must agree to when opening.

The Maine Department of Economic and Community Development has released a list of businesses they may now open as part of stage 3 of the Mills Administration's Restarting Maine’s Economy plan.

The following businesses may now reopen as long as they commit to complying with requirements of State COVID-19 prevention checklists.

  • Bars and Tasting Rooms remain open for outdoor service only until further notice
  • Outdoor recreation
  • Overnight Summer Camps
  • Entertainment
  • Indoor Amusement
  • Movie Theaters
  • Outdoor Amusement
  • Performing Arts Venues
  • Casinos

For movie theaters, guidance calls for limiting seating to allow for at least six feet of physical distance between non-household members. The suggested way to do this is by leaving empty seats between household groups and limiting seating to every other row.

If the Maine CDC detects any resurgence of the virus, the state will slow down the stages and reinstate restrictions.

If you have symptoms of the coronavirus, including a runny nose, sore throat, dry cough, fever and in severe cases, difficulty breathing, the Maine CDC says you should call your doctor before going in so that they can prepare for your arrival. The Maine CDC continues to update with new information daily. Keep checking on our mobile app or website to get the latest.

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