December has been a month of hope and concern, with COVID-19 vaccines deployed for the first time to hospitals across Maine but health officials warned that the state continues to battle “a surge on top of a surge.”
Hospitals this week received the first doses of the Pfizer vaccine and began inoculating frontline workers. The first phase of vaccinations focuses on healthcare workers in intensive care units, emergency rooms and COVID-19 wings of hospitals.
This story was originally published by The Maine Monitor.
The Maine Monitor, formerly known as Pine Tree Watch, is a local journalism product published by The Maine Center for Public Interest Reporting, a nonpartisan, nonprofit civic news organization based in Augusta.
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LEWISTON A student at Lewiston Middle School has tested positive for COVID-19, Superintendent Jake Langlais announced Thursday afternoon.
Five other students and two staff were in close contact with the student and have been asked to quarantine for 10 days, Langlais said.
He said the student stayed within a pod of classmates, which limits exposures. The student last attended school Monday. That evening the student developed symptoms and stayed home from school. Test results came back Thursday, Langlais said.
Those in close contact should quarantine through Dec. 24 and do remote schooling through Dec. 22. Returning to school in person is scheduled for Jan. 4, after the Christmas break.
Third Lewiston school designated as outbreak site
Five cases in 14 days linked to McMahon Elementary, as school closes until January, superintendent said Friday night.
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LEWISTON McMahon Elementary School has been designated a COVID-19 outbreak site based on five cases within 14 days linked to the school.
An outbreak is defined by the Maine Center for Disease Control as three or more cases within a two-week period.
Lewiston High School was closed for deep cleaning last month when three people tested positive within 12 days. Lewiston Middle School had previously been designated as an outbreak site.
Four staff people at McMahon were identified by the CDC as testing positive within a two-week period, Superintendent Jake Langlais announced Friday. Later Friday night Langlais said a fifth teacher was identified as testing positive.