Deaths in Maine, infections rise to a new level

PORTLAND, Maine – The number of new COVID-19 infections and deaths has risen to new heights during a statewide coronavirus surge, officials said Friday.

The Maine Centers for Disease Control reported 41 deaths and 782 infections, both daily in the state. The daily average of 14 days was 476 infections on Friday, compared to 187 infections on December 1.

Dr. Nirav Shah, director of CDC Maine, predicted that the number would increase after the holiday trips and end-of-year meetings.

The death toll was more than double the previous daily high of 20 on 1 December. The previous daily record of infections was 748 on December 23rd.

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In other pandemic news:

UNEMPLOYMENT

New unemployment claims have begun to appear in Maine, where the coronavirus pandemic continues to have an impact on the labor market.

The Maine Department of Labor said there were about 3,900 initial state unemployment claims in the week ending Jan. 2. This number was an increase from 2,700 new damages in the previous week.

the work The department said a total of 4,300 people had filed a new application or reopened an unemployment claim. This was an increase of 1,000 from the previous week.

It is standard for Maine to see layoffs at this time of year due to the end of seasonal jobs, and this has been exacerbated by the pandemic, the department said.

“Maine’s typically sees increases in state unemployment claims at this time of year due to seasonal layoffs that occur each winter, such as in accommodations, dining and drinking facilities, construction, landscaping and temporary assistance.” the department said in a statement. “Some of these industries have had an increased impact due to COVID-19.”

The Associated Press