The South African COVID-19 variant has been detected in Maine.
State CDC director Nirav Shah says it was discovered in an individual from Cumberland County.
Shah says a third case of the UK variant has also been discovered here.
“The presence of variants of this sort underscore the need to keep up with commonsense public health measures. Like wearing a mask. Like making sure you’re remaining physically distant as much as possible,” he says.
Shah says the presence of variants also demonstrates the importance of getting the COVID-19 vaccine as soon as it’s available to you.
Maine is receiving 31,250 doses of COVID-19 vaccine next week. That’s about 10,000 fewer than it received this week.
Shah says the incoming allotment does not include any Johnson & Johnson vaccine, though more is expected in the coming weeks.
“We may receive a little bit of J&J vaccine the week of the 15th. And there are question marks about whether we will receive more vaccine the week of the 22nd, and then hopefully for certain starting in robust volume on the week of the 29th,” he says.
Shah says Johnson & Johnson cleared its shelves after its vaccine received emergency authorization last week and is ramping up production.
State officials say Maine needs more doses to meet President Joe Biden’s goal of vaccinating all adults by the end of May.
Shah’s remarks come as the Maine Center for Disease Control reports another 136 cases of COVID-19 and no new deaths on Thursday.
The agency has identified a total of 45,227 cases in the state since the pandemic began. The death toll remains at 705.
