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Maine's COVID hospitalizations reach highest point since last winter

Jodi Philippon prepares a Pfizer-BioNTech vaccination at a COVID-19 clinic at the Augusta Armory, Tuesday, Dec. 21, 2021, in Augusta, Maine.
Robert F. Bukaty
/
AP
Jodi Philippon prepares a Pfizer-BioNTech vaccination at a COVID-19 clinic at the Augusta Armory, Tuesday, Dec. 21, 2021, in Augusta, Maine.

Maine currently has the highest case rate of COVID-19 in the country, according to U.S. CDC Data. Hospitalizations have also jumped to the highest number in months.

According to the U.S. CDC COVID-19 tracker, Maine's case rate per 100,000 people is 372, nearly triple the national average of 130.

County-level data shows that community levels are high in Aroostook County, while Franklin, Knox, Lincoln, Sagadahoc and Somerset counties have medium community levels.

Meanwhile, Maine CDC wastewater testing data shows increased prevalence of the virus in York, Portland and Augusta.

Cases of COVID-19 have been increasing across the US, as have hospitalizations. In Maine, the total number of people hospitalized jumped over the past two weeks from 107 to 193 on Thursday, up 24 from yesterday. The number of people in critical care nearly doubled during that time frame, from 18 to 33.

The Maine CDC is reporting eight additional COVID deaths and 699 new infections on Thursday.