Home Test Kits Such as These at Walgreens, 127 Marginal Way, Portland, are Accurate, Assured Dr. Shah Today.

Dr. Nirav Shah, Director of the MaineCDC, said at his weekly press briefing earlier this afternoon, that 70% of people hospitalized for COVID are not fully vaccinated.  This  fact followed his initial comments that as of today, there are 382 people hospitalized in Maine, whereas two weeks ago 375 people were hospitalized.  Fifty-nine people are on ventilators whereas two weeks ago, 60 people were requiring them to breath.  The positivity rate is now at 18.05%, the highest it has ever been Dr. Shah reported.  That high number is reflected across the other New England states, although it is slightly lower than other New England states.   Seventy-six percent of everyone in Maine is fully vaccinated, woth 45% boosted. To date, Maine has 149,543 cases of the deadly virus.

“Testing is hard to find in Maine,” Dr. Shah admitted.  “At home tests are accurate, particularly if there are symptoms.”  He went on to explain that some people who test positive with home kits are seeking confirmation from PCR testing.  “You don’t need to look for confirmation in this way,” he said.

Dr. Shah announced that a new vaccination and testing clinic will be opening at The Armory in Augusta next Monday.  It’s by appointment.  The State is trying to open up more testing sites and working with the Federal government to make this happen,  “The ball is back in the Feds court,” he said.

Asked by a reporter if he were discouraged by “where we are now,” Dr. Shah answered that he is not discouraged.  “Vaccines work so well.  They are doing what they were designed to do,” he said.

Weekly briefings are held by Dr. Nirav Shah on Wednesday at 2:00 pm.  They may be viewed on Maine Public Television.