Local cumulative Covid cases rose from 520 on December 12th to 565 on January 2nd, nearly 10% of the population. But with the extreme transmissibility of the omicron variant, it’s spreading like wildfire; and with the limited access to PCR testing, these numbers don’t mean much anymore. Hospitalizations are a better indicator, even though they lag behind infections by a couple of weeks. Currently, roughly 70 percent of all people hospitalized are unvaccinated, according to the CDC, and the percentage is even higher among those in critical care. Large numbers of medical staff are out sick or quarantined, putting even more pressure on hospitals’ capacity to provide care to the rising numbers of patients. Numbers of hospitalized Covid patients have broken records this weekend.
Schools and businesses are also struggling with so many people out due to Covid. Kids are relatively safe AT school due to safety precautions, but they, their teachers and bus drivers can pick it up in the community. If teachers and bus drivers are out, schools can’t hold in-person classes. Maine Commissioner of Education Pender Makin described this as an “unfathomable challenge” for schools, and for families.
The current guidance to avoid infection? Get vaccinated and boosted, wear an N95/KN95 mask in public spaces, wash your hands and keep your distance. Read a Q&A on omicron here.
There’s a walk-in vaccination clinic at New Gloucester Fire & Rescue on Friday January 14th from 2 to 5. The Auburn Mall also has a walk-in clinic, and offers shots for children over 5 by appointment. There are many other sites in the area. Find a site here.
~ Debra Smith
