Center for disease
control and prevention. I'm
delighted to join everyone to
provide an update on all things
COVID 19  across the state
of Maine for today Thursday
September third two thousand
and. Twenty right now in the
state. There are a total of
four thousand six hundred and
seventeen cases of covert
. An increase of fifty
cases since yesterday. Of those
cases four thousand one hundred
and forty five are confirmed
cases an increase of forty five
and four hundred and seventy
two are probable cases. An
increase of five. Over all
across the state four hundred
and twenty four individuals
have been hospitalized related
to their illness with covert
and right now nine
individuals are in the hospital
five of whom are in the I see
you. One of them is on a
ventilator. Overall across the
state there have been one
hundred and thirty three
individuals who have passed
away with COVID 19 . This
includes the passing of a man
in his seventies from Somerset
County which was reported to
Maine CDC yesterday. His
passing marks the one hundred
and thirty third death
associated with COVID 19 
across the state. We offer his
family his friends and his
community our deepest
condolences during this time of
their great. Since beginning
our COVID 19 activation
three thousand nine hundred and-
individuals have recovered an
increase of ten recovery since
yesterday. And among our cases
are nine hundred and eighty six
health care workers. Going to
take a moment to provide a
little bit of context around
the fifty new cases that Maine
CDC is reporting today. Of
those cases eighteen of them
are from York County. Seven
o'clock from perovskite county.
Ten from Cumberland in five
fermenters guiding company.
York County in particular
remains a focus in an area of
concern- for all of us at Maine
CDC. Just in the past two days.
At least twenty nine confirmed
cases of COVID 19  in
York County alone. Sixteen at
least sixteen of those cases
have been associated with no no
breaks and the other thirteen
at this time are thought to be
related to community
transmission. Now of course our
investigation into this case is
ongoing and we may waiter
aren't that they are in fact
associated with an outbreak but
right now at least thirteen of
those cases are from community
transmission. As a reminder
that suggests that those
individuals don't have any
linkage to a known person with
COVID 19  or with a known
outbreak that is strongly
suggestive of strong on going
sustain transmission of COVID 1.
across York County. We
take a closer look at the data
in your in your county. Just in
the past few days. The age
range of those who have been
affected by COVID 19 
spans from a low point of
people in their twenties. All
the way up to people in their
seventies. So this uptick of
cases of COVID 19 in
York. Is not a phenomenon
that's limited to long term
care facilities or even limited
to congregate care set.
Moreover the positivity rate in
your county is now one point 8%
over the past fourteen days.
That is three times higher than
the statewide positivity rate.
In addition the rate of new
cases of COVID 19  in
your county over the past
fourteen days is now seven
point five cases for every ten
thousand people of new cases
just in the past fourteen days.
Seven point five to put that
number in perspective the
statewide average of new cases
over the last few weeks is two
point seven five for every ten
thousand people. We've also
taken a close look at the onset
dates of illness for the recent
cases we've had in your county.
And what they tell us is that
transmission is continuing and
occurring with an increasing
frequency in York County. When
we look at when individuals are
getting sick they're not
telling us that they were sick
three or four weeks ago and
just happen to have gotten
tested. Instead they're telling
us that they first started
getting sick two or three or
four days ago. Not two or three
or four weeks ago. Right now
across the state about half of
the breaks that Maine CDC is
involved with. Are in York
County across the entire state
about half of the outbreaks are
centered in your county. In one
of the things that we've
learned over the last six
months of working without
breaks of COVID 19 . Is
that no outbreak is an island.
What this really hammers home.
Is that- breaks or not a-
events one- break can quickly
lead to several more outbreaks
especially in a close
geographic area. Moreover the
outbreaks of recent days and
weeks in York County have
affected numerous areas of
community life. Workplaces
universities and churches. All
of this means that there is now
strong evidence that the virus
is with us and in certain parts
of the state like in your
county has resulted in
sustained widespread
transmission for that reason
your county in particular
remains an area of high concern
and high focus all of us that
means CDC right now. I like to
take a moment to provide an
update on some of the outbreaks.
That Maine CDC is working on
speaking right. Let's start
with overview. Of the that have
any. From wedding in
Millinocket that was almost one
month ago now. Right now there
are one hundred and forty four
cases associated in some way
shape or form with that August
seventh wedding. Fifty six of
those cases our wedding guests
in their secondary or tertiary
contacts contacts. One of the
cases is someone who is a
secondary contact of a gas also
happens to be a staff member at
maple crest. In addition to
that individual at maple crest
there are fifteen additional
cases at that facility. Eight
of them are among residents and
seven among some seven of them
are among staff. When including
that one individual from the
wedding that now results in a
total of sixteen cases at maple
crest. In addition there was
one member of the York County
jail staff who attended the
wedding in Millinocket. In
addition to that one individual
at the York County jail there
are now eighteen additional
staff members who have tested
positive. Forty six inmates who
have tested positive at the
York County jail and seven
family members of staff who now
have confirmed COVID 19 
infections. All told again one
hundred and forty four cases of
COVID 19  either directly
or indirectly linked to the
events of the Millinocket
wedding on August seventh.
Let's take a closer look at the
York County jail right now. As
I mentioned a moment ago there
are now seventy two total cases
associated with the jail. Forty
six of them are among inmates
that's an increase of eight new
cases among inmates just in the
past twenty four hours. What's
been concerning to Maine CDC is
that these new lease H. new
cases among inmates are in a
different part of the jail. An
area of the jail where there
had not previously been cases.
Also there are no as I
mentioned a moment ago nineteen
total staff members associated
with the jail in the county
building. And again seven
family members who are close
contacts of staff who have now
tested positive. One note. Also
been ten family members that we
identified yesterday as
probable cases we have now
tested negative. We continue to
work with the York County jail
retesting is ongoing and we
anticipate receiving additional
sets of laboratory samples up
here at our lab in Augusta as
the jail continues subsequent
rounds of testing. As always
our concern level remains high
for this as well as all of. We
continue remain. With officials
at jail. Another breaking your
county that we are tracking and
working on very closely is that
associated with the Stanford
Calvary Baptist church. Where
there are now ten cases of
COVID 19  that's an
increase of five cases since
yesterday one note for everyone
the five new cases associated
with the Calvary Baptist
church. Are not reflected in
today's case count they will
however be reflected in
tomorrow's case count. We've
been in regular communication
with the pastor of this church.
In fact just this morning we
sent a letter to the pastor.
Recapping our public health
recommendations and outlining
our expectations of compliance
around those recommendations.
We offer not just
recommendations but also
assistance in obtaining things
like face coverings. In
connecting parishioners and
congregants as well as others
who may have been at the church
with our contact racing program.
Speaking of contact tracing.
I'm going to take a moment to
talk a little bit more about
contact tracing how it works
what it is and what it is not
really walk through why and how
it is the bedrock of public
health break investigation. To
be Frank one of the most common
questions that we get. Is how
contact freezing works so I'd
like to take the opportunity
and take a second of everyone's
time today the pull back that
curtain a little bit. When we
think about contact tracing.
There are two key questions
that we are trying to answer.
The first is where folks get
COVID 19 from. The second
is who might they have given it
to. Contact tracing is what
allows us to answer those
questions. Maine CDC right now
has nearly one hundred people
who are working on our contact
reaching out for right now. So
let's start by talking about
what contact tracing is. Simply
put contact tracing is just
talking with folks it simply
talking to people to see how
they're doing. Nothing more
nothing less. It's you talking
with the Maine CDC
epidemiologist in the Maine CDC
epidemiologist checking in with
you. Maine CDC epidemiologist
will ask you for example who
you were in contact with prior
to getting sick. That helps us
answer the first question where
you might have gotten the
disease. But they have to. Will
also talk to you about who you
are in contact with after you
got sick. That helps us answer
the second question who might
you have given the disease to.
I would be really clear. These
are 1100% private conversations
confidential remains of
paramount importance even in a
pandemic so if you test
positive forCOVID 19 .
And you provide us a list of
every one of your close
contacts from the time period
when you might have been
spreading the disease around
we're going to reach out to
those folks. What we will not
tell any of those people. Who
gave us their name or phone
number if you're positive case
your cut your identity your
confidentiality remains
shrouded in secrecy. We use the
information that we generate
from these conversations from
these contacts. To identify
things like outbreaks. So when
a lot of people report to us
that they were at the same
gathering at the same time in
the same place. With the same
people. Matt cruiser send that
there might be going to there
might be something going on. In
addition to helping us identify
these outbreaks situations
contact tracers are there to
help you. They'll help you
monitor yourself for symptoms
they'll help you stay safe at
home. They'll help you get
other assistance with
everything every things like
getting food and making sure
you've got a safe place to stay
if you need that assistance.
It's equally important though
to talk about what contact
tracing is it not. The bottom
line here is that contact
tracing is it not location
tracking it is purely talking
with folks to learn about who
you yourself have been in
contact with it is not location
tracking. So how would a Maine
CDC contact race to reach out
to you. Well primarily will
reach out to you by phone. And
when we call you contact
tracers will provide their name
there and they will know their
affiliation with Maine CDC and
they'll provide you with their
phone number. In addition we've
also worked with cell phone
providers and- so if you see on
your cell phone a missed call
that says on the caller ID
Maine CDC. That's likely to be
a contact racer it should also
provide you with a little bit
more security that when you see
Maine CDC pop up on your phone
it someone who wants to chat
with you you could you could
have been exposed to cope at
If you tested
positive for COVID 19 
I contact tracer will work with
you to identify your close
contacts. Anyone who was in
sixty of you. We fifteen
minutes in the days leading up
to when you add symptoms. Well
ask for their phone numbers as
well as anyone else you tell us
about so that we can call them
and provide care for them.
We're not we're going to also
encourage you to let your
contacts know about your
illness. But if you don't
that's okay. We'll call those
contacts to let them know that
they've been maybe been
exposed. But we will not reveal
your identity to them. If you
happen to be staying home
during your period of
isolation. The contact tracer
will discuss any needs that you
might have. And work to connect
you with additional supports if
you need them. So let me talk a
little bit about what a contact
tracer is gonna do. To ensure
that you have the care that you
need. And the support to stay
safe. A contact tracer is gonna
ask you to confirm your date of
birth. Your address and other
day and other basic information.
If you're positive case they're
gonna discuss any symptoms you
might have had. Whether you
were hospitalized in whether
you've got any underlying
health conditions that might
put you at greater risk.
They're also going to ask about
some details around your living
situation so they can provide
you information about how to
stay safe and avoiding
infecting other people in your
household. Maybe really clear
about what our contact tracer
is never going to do. Contact
tracing again is not location
tracking so Maine CDC is never
going to track your self. And
we're never gonna follow your
GPS location indeed we don't
have access to it. Second
confidentiality matters so if
your case of COVID 19 
your name is never going to be
released to reveal to your
contacts. Also contact tracer
is never going to ask you about
your M. for immigration status.
In a contact tracer is never
going to ask you for your
social security number. And a
contact tracer is never going
to ask for any fan financial
information like your bank or
your credit card number. The
bottom line here. Is that Maine
CDC contact tracers. Are never
gonna give you up. They're
never gonna let you down.
They're never gonna run around
and desert you. Maine CDC
contact tracers are never gonna
make you cry. I'm never gonna
say goodbye and they're never
gonna tell a lie and hurt you.
So your turn things over to our
colleagues in the media today
yeah our first question today
goes to Brad Rogers. Five dot.
Org okay a curious what have
you been told about the of the
York County jail this is the
world not using it they you
know doing at the time of this
outbreak. Leading up. Yeah our
brain participate on a number
of those calls you know we've
we've we've it appears that up
until the time that the first
case was identified. Wearing a
face mask or face coverings was
not what it should have been.
We have worked with the jail
subsequent at bat to make sure
that they've got the right
recommendations in place. Use
me for things like face
coverings and we also work with
them to furnish those face
coverings so they've got an
example an adequate supply of
mine hand. Not working
chainring to work with the jail
to make sure we can help them.
Put infection control measures
in place to continue limiting
the spread although as I noted
some of the recent cases among
inmates have been up in a part
of a jail where they had not
previously been cases. So our
concern levels high. Thanks so
much. I'm gonna turn now to you
what Maine. I thank Dr Shah yes
that you're in I having read
commuter with the past of the
Calvary Baptist are you able to
have verbal communication or or
has it shifted to just written.
I'm I have not spoken or we
have. We spoken meet many make
sure the last time I. Spoke in
the past was this for. Other
members of my team have been in
contact with them are we over
the phone but also in writing
as well. And have you
established a link between that
outbreak and the wedding in
Millinocket. Not a direct link
although that is a focus of our
investigation through the
contact tracing- that we've
talked about. It before we can
declare that there is a link
can be solid in our declaration
at such we've got to make sure
that everyone who may have been
involved. It is in a confirmed.
We've got to make sure that the
timelines match up we have to
make sure that their exposures
were sufficient so that disease
may have actually been
transmitted. Those are some of
the elements that go into
establishing that linkage right
now that's what we that's
really one of the areas of our
investigation. Right and I got
just one question kind of
really to. A discussion on.
About the state. Unfortunate
sortie over churches. Okay
Mister Lambert said that under
the table state of emergency
that he did have the chance
that ban. To protect public
health if there's an activity
that puts people in harm's way.
I'm just curious the same
applies to private religious
schools if they're not.
Following safety guidelines can
the state staff and. And if so
what can I do. It's a fax was
and- as as would imagine Patty
but in. Where are concerns
about the health always a ten
to work. Organize a- not not
against them. That being said
our expect when Maine CDC at
least offers public health
guidance our expectation is
that organizations comply with
that guides. Now separate and
apart from that collaborative
process with Maine CDC there
are other sources of authority
some of them live with the
attorney general's office some
as you noted with the HHS
somewhat the governor's office
itself. Depending on the
situation. And know what we see
and situation be it a religious
after school or any other
private organization. Depending
on what we see that kind of
calibrates what type of
enforcement activity we take I
can give you. A firm answer
about for example in a school
what route we would take it
really does depend on what the
facts are and what the nature
of the violations as- I thank
you. I'm gonna turn to Joe all
right the all next. Why yes why
are I have a couple about the-
about that the news that there
would be- talk about a vaccine
being put into production by.
Early November- what with main
cities due to- prepare for that
distribution add on are you
concerned at all about the
vaccine being rushed into
production- before it's ready.
Sure so Joe- respectable things
the first is- ever since. We
may maybe late April Maine CDC
yeah since late April Maine CDC
has been working in parallel
with our outbreak response
activities we have
simultaneously been planning
for the arrival of any
particular COVID 19 
vaccine and I think we started
that work in earnest in in late
April so I'm going on for
months now four and a half. Our
focus in network is on a couple
of things the first is it
ministration of the vaccine how
we get it out to health care
providers or for example how
our own public health nurses
might be engaged in the
administration of the vaccine.
The second is around receipt
and handling of the vaccine the
U. S. CDC has announced that
all vaccine production will be
diverted to the U. S. CDC the
U. S. CDC will will then
subsequently ship at the
states. So we've got to have a
logistics operation in place
that can receive a massive
amounts of vaccine and then
ship it out to hospitals
healthcare providers and Sarah.
Military thing that we've been
working on is data. And this is
going to be a massive effort
and we've got a track exactly
who's getting the vaccine when
they're getting it because for
example if you got does you got
a dose of the vaccine a-
vaccine Hey. You got to get the
exact same does does number two
you're twenty one or twenty
eight days later you can't mix
and match so we've got to make
sure we've got an I. T. system
that helps us keep to keep. All
that straight. Also that work
has been on. For four plus
months now. By our I mean.
Program. And we've we've been
we've been up that after by
many for in the past few weeks.
The water that you ref from CD
SPD cedar read. Our to stay
health officials governor.
Really you really was spoke on
did. Piece and making that
states their dish. Elements in
place as soon as a November.
That's a going to keep of our-
you ask about can. Over any
rush around a vaccine in the
bottom line is that I would be
concerned in that situation. We
we've all read reports that
that rush may occur it's too
early to judge what might
happen but what I will say. In
this situation if the US FDA.
Word to proceed with an
abbreviated process and approve
a vaccine through the emergency
use authorization I think that
would raise concerns. In an
open space there is inherent
risk of approving and releasing
a vaccine. For full completion
of the phase three trials.
There are of course the
attendant concerns that that
would have around erosion of
faith and confidence in the
public health system. There are
also smaller but equally
important concerns around how
this would just crater
participation in phase three
trials why participate in a
trial if the vaccine is down
the street and available. It
also raises harder questions
around whether individuals
might say well Hey I got a
vaccine now I don't need to
engage in mask wearing so I
would have concerns if that
route were followed. It's too
early to say which route will
be followed but that's how my
colleagues and I across the
other. Forty nine states are
thinking about this. If I could
just bring quickly for up on
the- on that pastor at Calvary
Baptist on Easter you sent a
letter. And that your staff has
been next. With them has- he
has he been cooperative to your
knowledge about wanting to
follow the- public health
recommendations. Okay we've had
good communication with the
pastor and he's been responsive
but we also need to make sure
that it's more than just
communication we're having we
need to make sure that the
communication is coupled with
responsive action. I'm not
going to turn now to Alison
Rossett WMTW. Hi doctor shot
thank you so much for taking my
questions actually going along
the lines of that previous
question backed away when or if
that vaccine is ready by
November. You kind of touched
on this before but then what
would be the hiking order for
who would get that vaccine
first are we talking about
first responders or what if the
other front line workers and
then who is kind of lower. Down
the road with the bat. So in
the respect what we've been
doing is following and in many
cases participating. In the
national conversation that is
being had by at the National
Academy of science. They have
been tasked. With helping to at
least kick off the
conversation. About that
prioritize ation system skin.
Ordering that you noted. Just a
couple of days ago actually the
national academies working
group on this matter. Released
a preliminary draft report it's
publicly available. And what
they outlined was a system
under which- the very first
folks you would be getting the
vaccine and the- first phase.
Of distribution would be many
of the groups that you noted
Allison. This would be
frontline health care workers.
This would be individuals who
work in and who are residents
of. Long term care facilities.
And this would be groups like
first responders. Are there
was. An in phase one of the
vaccine there will be far more
demand than there is supply.
And so one of the difficult
questions is who is going to
be. Closer to the front of the
line. And it reached the
initial draft. From the
National Academy suggested
those groups. Once those groups
have been vaccinated and are
able to continue providing care
for people. Of course their
daily job. Then there's a
secondary. Group this is groups
like. Nickel infrastructure
work. It's about nature who are
equally in keeping society
going and then as you go
through and backs avail ramps
more and more and more into
groups would be invited to get
in line to make sure that they
can get the vaccine no final
decisions have been made at the
state level or at the national
level it's part of an ongoing
conversation and I speculate I
guess I hypothesized that one
of the things that we're all
going to be talking about over
the next several weeks and
months is this exact question
of. How is vaccine gonna be
distributed. And when our folks
going to be getting it. Turned
Evan pop at the main beacon. I
don't think so my question is
school so drop of the state on
procedure for schools was
released recently- in states
that since school staff are
considered essential workers-
even if they are in close
contact. With a confirmed case
they may not return to work so
long as there are no-
substitute school staff
available to school members
take a perfect reflection
control. Precautions including
the use of PP. And the staff
remain in quarantine outside of
work so. I'm wondering. What
thinking went into that
specific part of the draft- and
could that. RB revise later on
based on the possible impacts.
Of allowing staff members to
return or so I mean it is it is
a draft document we put it out
there for that very purpose
that that was for the
discussions that we're having
right now we want folks to get
a sense of what we're thinking
right now. Before we start
having cases let alone the
potential for outbreaks in
schools as a result of any part
of that document could be
modified based on feedback as
well as evolving science around
the management COVID 19 .
With respect to teachers ever
since the early days of the
outbreak of the pandemic- there
has been a doctrine developed
for so called essential workers
those who are essential vital
to keeping things going. In
Cory's who fall under one of
the essential worker
designations can not must but I
can go back to their job if
they've been exposed. Provided
they have on P. B. E. N. other
safeguards to reduce the
likelihood that they may expose
others this is if they've been
exposed not after a confirmed
case but if they've been
exposed. So it's going to be a
balance all this guidance
document says is that if the
school official in their
judgment determines that the
teacher cannot be out of the
classroom. Because the
implications on classroom
education the impact on that
would be too great. They have
the option not a requirement
but the option of having that
teacher remained in the
classroom provided they've got
all the appropriate PP and
other safeguards. It's. Not a
requirement it's an option.
Your ultimate decision will one
school were to make based on
the operational can. At the
school itself. We have been
seeing of course will be. By to
help them operate. What their
decision is. Could that
guidance the change most
certainly if the categorization
of teachers as essential
workers what a change at the
federal level it could change.
But we are keeping tabs on that
this is our current thinking
depending on how the outbreak
management controls that
document itself may change. And
just to follow up on that is
there any sort of timeline for
training- that from a draft
into sort of a final document
or is that just an ongoing-
conversation as as you see how
things go to schools. It's a
little bit about- right now
we're finalizing our our our
our meetings with the
department of education around
taking that draft stamp off the
document. So that it can be an
actual. Document that is in
effect but at the same time as
you'll note on that document in
the upper in the very first
page. There's a box that says
revised on. We and we
anticipate because this is a
scientific endeavor. What we
know today about the management
of COVID 19  as well as
the impact of COVID 19 
on children what we know today
will not be the same as what we
know next week. So we design SO
peas. To account for and allow
for that changing science
that's why right on the top of
that document we know that
there is a there there will be
revisions to it. And we provide
a space so that everyone is
aware when and how this
document is change so it's
going to be a document that we
continue to update. As the U.
S. CDC and others in the
scientific community develop a
deeper understanding about COVI 
in schools. Thank you.
You're gonna turn it we tell
get W. A. B. I. hi doctor
shopping so much for take my
question I have three different
ones today I'm the first is.
With your county B. such a
concern for the CD is there
talk of certain. In place again.
So you know the way that we
think about no breaks is that
all options are the table right
now that not where we focused
on. That's not the top thing
that we're going to. And then
all of course- always on the
list of potential policy
options. But frankly there are
other options that we look to
first wake more aggressive
contact tracing I could be more
folks with PP. In courage and
greater use of face coverings
and physical distancing. Those
are the things that we think
can it. Science is shown. Get a
better bang for the Buck with
respect to tamping down on COVI 
in different places.
All options are on the table
but we have to think about
where we're going to get the
most advocacy. For anything any
single activity we undertake
and the things that I outlined
a moment ago contact tracing
more widespread use of PP.
Making sure that everyone's got
a face covering so they can
wear one those are the things
that. We know will have a
greater impact right now. Okay
next question from our sports
reporter- when exactly were
approved guidelines created by
the NBA for fall sports out of
compliance with state community
sports guidelines before or
after the September first
update. That is a good question.
I believe that what you know
what I am not a 100% sure I but
I believe it was before but I
mean I just confirm to make
sure that my understanding
comports with the time line of
the MPA so we'll make sure I
get out we'll make sure we get
back to you on that- you know I
think more generally- aka the
approach right now is as we
think about. School sports. The
thinking is let's make sure we
get the school part down Pat.
Before we go into the sports
park. A let's get things like
home room down. I think we can
all agree that making sure that
the fundamentals are in place.
Is really the right step right
now- I is the way I think about
it is that. We should really be
making sure we can walk before
we run. Both literally and
metaphorically in this case.
Okay and last question the U.
S. CDC is relaxing some of its
travel guidance- is there any
possibility that will be
relaxing some here allowing
more states to be exact and
people more people coming in.
So when we are but several on
weekly basis if not multiple
times per week are taking a
look at the data around Corbett
not just in our state
not just in our counties but
across the across the country
specifically with respect to
the northeast. We took a look
at the data not too long ago
and at that time there were no
other states in the northeast
that meant the epidemiological
criteria for being allowed to
come to Maine without having a
test or having quarantine.
Those criteria again being that
they are as safe if not safer
than the situation in Maine
right now we still encourage
visitors from the states to
come to Maine and S. testing
availability has increased in
places like Massachusetts and
Rhode Island. We hope we
believe they'll be able to get
a test before they come there
is not a barrier but we also
want to make sure will
simultaneously. Keeping main
people say. Thank you. Are
gonna turn out of at media. Hey
Charlie you will. Right out
your next Amy brown at W. E.
are you come back to Charlie
thank you Dr Shah of following
up on the enforcement questions
back in back to the Calvary
church outbreak. Does the
state's enforcement authority
only come into play when it
some a gathering has exceeded
the recommended number of
people for that space or of as
in at the cal Calvary church if
they're worse fewer than the
number of people who are
allowed to gather but they were
close together and having choir
practice and not wearing masks
does the state step in does
have the- authority to step in
and enforce that part of the
executive orders as well. I'm
sorry either there are multiple
routes through which
enforcement could it be
effectuated I don't want to
speculate as to what we might
do in any particular situation.
And certainly not with respect
to any particular entity. That
again is how we fact dependent
as well as we were as I was
talking about with Betty white.
Very fact specific so I don't
want to speculate or a plan on
hypotheticals but I will say.
Is that any of the mechanisms
that you outlined a given that
they are noted and in part of
governor mills executive
orders. All day they do
constitute the basis for
enforcement. Whether it is the
gathering limit which stands at
fifty people indoors or one
hundred people outdoors. Or the
requirement to wear face
coverings or the requirement to
maintain physical distance. If
those requirements are not
invited. They are almost per se
violations of the executive
order. The conditions under
which enforcement as a
corporate. Again hi fact
specific. But on their own they
would constitute violations of
the executive order. Then it
becomes a question of where we
go from there. Okay just a
follow up to that man have a
nother unrelated question. Is
anyone. To monitor the
situation with the church
services there and also the
situation in jails across the
state. Where prisoners are
potentially being exposed to
this. Very deadly disease and
don't really have any recourse
for that right now. Sure with
respect to the churches our
expectation when we work with
any owner operator manager. Of
any facility whether it's a
restaurant a construction site
church or healthcare facility
we have a strong expectation of
compliance. We set the
boundaries of what is best for
public health we put those
recommendations in writing in
most cases and we don't expect
compliance. That is our
expectation not just in the
setting of a church but no
matter the setting we expect
compliance. With respect to
correctional facilities
although Maine CDC is involved
there are respectfully very me
I would I would ask that you
check in with the department of
corrections. They're a lot more
closely related N. with respect
to what's going on at jails and
prisons across the state are
they would have the primary
eyes on what's going on in
those facilities. Okay and
given the high percentage of
people who attended that
wedding I think it's a-
approximately half of the
people who were in attendance.
Who contracted cobit and how
quickly it spread. Is there any
chance that this is a different
different stronger strain of
cove it is the CDC or anyone
monitoring. What the different
variants of COVID 19  we have ie
state. We are working with the
Jackson laboratory to undertake
a genetic analysis of samples
of COVID 19  positive individuas
from Maine so we can compare
the genetic make up of the
virus or viruses. That are
circulating in Maine against
those that are circulating
across the globe. But what we
what is more likely to have
happened on the August seventh
wedding is that one or more
individuals likely to be more
than one individual came to the
wedding already positive with
COVID 19 . And so rather than ts
being one individual it was
likely to be more than one
individual and those that back
panel of folks are likely to
have spread the disease more
widely more more efficiently in
this case and it had been just
one person. That's all right
Bob this is right now and it
seems to line up with the onset
date of symptoms that people
experience very difficult to
get 21100% certainty in these
situations but that's how we
that's how epidemiology sort of
backs into what we believe to
be the strongest inference.
Right thank you. I'm gonna go
back to church. Are you with us.
I am thank Dr Shah yeah my call
drop before for some reason-
so- my first question is about
the York County jail today he-
county manager there talk a
little bit about the outbreak
and he said that. They have
been putting inspected in may
sort of in one unit of the jail
and I played tell them then
people who may have been
exposed to them in a few may
have been exposed to them in a-
separate unit. In single and
double thousand I just because
you mentioned that there is now
been cases detected in other
units of the jail do you know.
If it was that area where.
Possible were being I or you
have an additional information
about where in the jail that
was. I'm sorry at this time so
we just learned of these
additional cases from the last
hour laboratory- just maybe
five or six hours ago. So out
as part of our investigation
process contact racing process
we now will of course go back
to these additional cases and
figure out exactly where within
the jail they work. And where
they were house but what our
very initial investigation
revealed is that they were not
in the heart of the jail where
individuals who were. Positive
for exposed for being house
that is to say they were in a
part of the jail where there
had not been known cases or
exposures. More investigation
is needed there Charlie I want
to be really clear that is not
a definitive conclusion that's
a preliminary conclusion.
That's one of the things are
epidemiologists are working
with the jail officials on
today to shore up and get a
better understanding of. But I
think it's illustrative of the
fact that COVID 19  is an
opportunistic virus. And
despite the best attempts to
place individuals into cohorts
and eliminate inter inter
mingling among them. There's
still the possibility that the
virus can be an unintended gas
or piggy back on to somebody
and introduce itself into new
areas. More investigation is
still needed though Charlie.
And what will probably have
some updates on that. Maybe not
today. But probably early next
week. Okay and- the- sort of an
part of the Broadway to the
wedding out at we thought just
the regular rip for me eighty
they're that a person from
summers County who who died of
coded related reasons on. At
some point in the last few days
and it was that death was that
of person a resident or staff
member of maple crest
rehabilitation. I'm sorry I.
I'm not able to confirm that
for reasons of patient privacy.
What I will tell you is that
there are now. Two deaths that
have been associated with the
Millinocket wedding. Okay for
privacy reasons I can't say
more than that. Okay you can't
say anything about where that
second reported death happened
or anything like that
unfortunately not all all I can
say is that there was a man in
his seventies from Somerset
County. That I'm sorry that
was- so. You're saying that was
the second death in the wedding
outbreak or or just that there
was that a man of that age in
Somerset County died. Both
actually it. Okay I'm sorry to
find out that another way to
make it more clear no was there
a man in his seventies from
Somerset County who died in
connection to the wedding
outbreak. Yes okay thank you.
Gonna turn next to Dustin at
New England cable news. After
shot first off can you give
this situation in your county
and overall the state right now
some context both in how it's
affecting Maine's overall open
situation and also
your concern level has it been
higher at some point this year
than it is right now. For so
for context Dustin you know it
is the situation in your county
is driving many of the that is
driving much of what we are
seeing. In our numbers across
the state also I think I
mentioned. If I if I did not go
over that again of the fifty
cases today. Eighteen of them
are from your county or as
seven or from our from the knob
Scott. Turned from Cumberland
five from Androscoggin and the
remainder scattered across the
state. So right now just for
today. What about in the past
week or two. What we see
happening in your county with
about half of the outbreaks
that are currently open and
active in the state. Being
centered in in your county what
we're seeing is a situation. Of
multi focal outbreaks within a
small geographic area. That in
and of themselves are
generating a high number of
cases. In addition to that
those outbreaks are also
generating community
transmission. Individuals may
be. May be associated with
those outbreaks be a
symptomatic or pre symptomatic.
Unknowingly infect other people
in their lives who then also
test positive but as far as
they are aware have no known
connection because they may
have they may have picked up
coded from one of these
intermediate carriers. As again
as I mentioned this in the past
two days there have been twenty
nine cases and about thirteen
of the cases. Don't seem to
have any linkage to unknown
outbreak. So are a lot of what
we're seeing in the state right
now is being generated by your
county's. Outbreaks and their
increasing cases. You ask about
Mike of. You know what I would
what I would say is you know it
does matter how been ten. Thus
far during. Where Mike level
has been equally high if not
maybe even greater- preserve me
when we were contending with
situations. That were
generating a high number of
fatalities. Going back to some
prominent outbreaks at nursing
homes and memory care
facilities. Those of course
exact more of a human toll. And
thus raise all of our concerns
as well as our sorrows. What
concerns me a bit about your
county however is the
disseminated. Nature of the
outbreaks there spread
essentially over a county as
opposed to a nursing facility
which is discreet and generally
more contained. I am concerned
that if we do not get a grip on
what's going on in your county
it has the potential to spiral
and start affecting adjacent
parts of the state. In the not
too distant future. And then
what's your message for people
with. Outside of Maine
traveling over the weekend your.
Question's going into that area
it's gonna be nice tomorrow for
instance. You know doesn't. My
message for folks who are
wanting to come to Maine or
travel within Maine is please
do so it's going to be a
glorious weekend I'm gonna talk
about Labor Day in just. A
second. But we want you to come
here. If you're from a state
where there's no a travel exam.
We want you to go a negative.
But you asked Justin about
whether there are special or
extra precautions that need to
be taken for folks visiting
your county and the answer is
that the same precautions that
we have talked about apply with
equal force wondering your view
whether you are in your county
or another part of the state
those are things like making
sure you're wearing a face
covering introducing physical
distance between you and your
partner and- anyone else that's
out there. What science has
shown respect to covert
over the past several
months is that those two
things. Coupled with hand
washing but really truly face
coverings coupled with physical
distance. Are two of the
strongest pieces that we've got
in our armamentarium to reduce
transmission of COVID 19 
You need to do more now you
just need to follow both of
those things cost good hygiene
principles two eighty. Everyone
really do that we can get a
grip on COVID 19  not
just statewide not just your
county but nationwide. And so
for anyone is planning to go
down to your county this
weekend thank my family and I
were talking about where we
were gonna go hiking this
weekend and- necromantic us was
on our list. Our view is to
make sure when we do that to
keep face coverings on and keep
distance. I'm gonna turn out
and Joe ABC seven. Thank you my
question revolves around
yesterday. Hi company shop in
Bangor close down because they
are so they have one confirmed
positive case and I was just
wondering if you had any more
information around that I know
it's going to twenty four hours
but they did say they were in
contact with you and also that.
And on the Facebook post their
response to one of the
questions was the employee
hasn't worked there in a week
can you give us a clarify
timeline on when the last time
they worked sure Joe so we-
when we start working the so is.
When they re out break status
we work with individuals prior
to them being an outbreak
status so we would be working
with the individual employee in
this situation not so much the
facility. I can't comment on
any individual patient related
data about when they may have
worked or when their last day
at work was out what I will
tell you is that. Restaurants
across Maine in this case
including the Portland pie
company follow best public
health principles to reduce the
likelihood of introducing
COVID 19  seventy of
their customers but
unfortunately Joe like I can't
really comment. Anything more
on individual cases. Thank you
yeah that doesn't are gonna
turn the cake at the Ellsworth
American. Thanks doctor shot-
so my first question is can you
add I think you said nine
hundred and eighty six health
care workers charter he don
Mong the- confirmed cases. Can
you give us a break down of
that at all yeah are are are
these largely you know
physicians are and they
ambulance workers I'm C. N.
A.'s do you have any
information on that. Sure okay
we can get you better a bit
more of a granular breakdown of
who is income with in. Our
definition of health care
worker one of the things that I
want to note when we think
about health care workers inco.
In COVID 19 . The question to
keep in mind is whether about
care were got COVID 19 . As
part of their work as a health
care. Or whether big guy it in
the queue. And thus could have
potentially exposed others so
when we think about healthcare
workers the reason we are
concerned as. For the
possibility about better health
were could getting in fact as
part of their job but also that
they could have been infected
in the community and completely
unknowingly introduced into a
facility. That's why we pay
such. Close attention to them
again we can get you a better
down of what we it. We can say
to be L. work. Thank you and
then my second question is so.
There were some reports. Out of
New York during their hide it
the head of the outbreak there
that. There was some basically
bureaucratic red tape- that
prevented people who needed to
be transferred between
hospitals from from being
transferred- and I'm just I'm
wondering you know thankfully
we're not- that's not the case
here we are not seeing a surge.
In cases right now but- if we
do see a surge in cases in the
fall and winter are their
contracts and is there a plan
in place to make sure that
patients who need to be
transferred. You know between
hospitals that may not be
affiliated with one another-
can you know that that can
happen smoothly. Sure K. so the
answer is that that not
happened in Maine it did not
happen in Maine. And because of
the planning that we've done
since the beginning of the year
we don't anticipate that it
would happen in Maine. We
worked very closely with
emergency medical personnel as
well as hospitals as well as
what they're saying- so that
patients. Need to be
transferred to a higher acuity
facility or across the
seventies we've got the system
in place to make sure that
happens. Thank I'm gonna turn
out of Patrick will let the
eighty eight. Thank you much.
Wanted to make certain I-
followed so numbers correctly
the Sanford outbreak has grown
from five to ten is that
correct. Right Patrick okay
great and- sorry Patrick sorry
to cut you off that's these-
break associated with the
Calvary Baptist church only.
Right yeah that I should have
been more specific about that-
is there is there anything more
you can tell us about the
state's investigation into-
into what's into what's going
on there and it's overlap with
the other. With the other cases
and also I'm curious if you
have any. Any thoughts on the
investigation that York County
opened up into the into the
jail operation what we could
potentially learn from that.
I'll start with the church-
right now Patrick where are the
focus of our investigation with
our many cyber one of them of
course is to try to. Get a
better understanding of how
COVID 19  could have been
introduced into that church
community. And whether it was
in any way related to those
events- at the Millinocket
wedding on August seventh.
We've got hypotheses but we
don't we're not very yet in
terms of announcing a linkage.
The other focus of the
investigation is on the contact
tracing he's- like to take a
moment to encourage. Anyone who
is a member or who has visited
the Calvary Baptist church in
Sanford. If you believe you may
have been in contact with
somebody. Please do two things
the first is reach out to the
main CDC. You may have already
been given are listed as a
contact as I talked about when
I talked about our contact
racing process in it so you're
probably already in touch with
the contractors. But if not we
like to work with you it's so
we can keep you safe and
healthy. So those are the two
areas of focus right now in our
investigation Patrick again
it's- kind of the same schema
writ large. Where did the virus
come from and who might it have
been transmitted to. Are with
respect to the investigation
you know to Patrick. I'm aware
of that announcement but don't
have anything further to share
comments on. Our final question
of the afternoon goes to Bob
Evans from new center. Thank
you doctor. I have about your
questions you mention providing
masking equipment to the York
County jail earlier with a new
area of the jail now having
outbreaks how can the jail
continue to have more cases if
they're following their state's
recommendation. Our end is
enough being done at the jail
do you believe to us stop the
spread of the disease- that's
that's certainly the focus of
our investigation Bob. We want
to make sure that everything
that can be done is recommended
and that every recommendation
is coupled with the resources
to put it into place. In this
situation we've got to make
sure we've got a better sense
of the time line of when
individuals be especially these
newest cases could have been
exposed. And where they were in
the jail it's possible and
again as I was talking about
with Charlie we've got to know
whether these individuals were
those who had already been
exposed. And thus it might not
be surprising that they've now
developed over nineteen or
alternately reading a part of
the jail where there had been
no exposures whatsoever. That's
the focus of the investigation
we just learned of these cases
from our laboratory a handful
of hours ago so our our team of
epidemiologists those disease
detectives are kicking into
high gear to get all the facts
on these newest cases. We
should know more and then in
the coming days. Okay and I
have a viewer question as well.
A viewer wrote to us with a
question stating they noticed
on your website later. That the
corona virus rate of spread
among the twenty to thirty year
old group is expanding way
faster than other age
categories. They said they
noticed that about a week ago
the fifty year old grow at the
highest percentage of
inspection. Now the twenty year
old group has exceeded them by
more than forty cases in a very
short time. Is this related to
the wedding outbreak or the
college testing or what do you
believe is going on. Well are
you know I'm just about to
about Day- installments your
question. And then segue into a
discussion about the next
couple days. Any answer Bob is
that it's a little bit of all
of those things. There have
been a handful of cases now
identified amongst. College and
university students so that's a
contributor. Many of the
attendees at the wedding on
August seventh in Millinocket
we're also in that. Twenty
eight of forty age bracket also
a contributor. In addition many
of the new cases that have been
identified in your county have
been among younger people as
well. Also a contributor. We've
also seen decreases in the
number of new cases and
outbreaks at nursing homes so
on a percentage basis the
number of younger people
getting infected has gone up.
And the number of older
individuals who have been
exposed and getting infected
has gone down and that's on a
percentage basis the impact of
the increase among younger
folks is magnified. Which takes
me away but- but many of us are
gearing up for Labor Day
gatherings and celebrations
this weekend. If we have
learned nothing about COVID 19 
nineteen over the past six
weeks six months. Weather in
Maine or from other parts of
the country it has been one
thing. COVID 19  likes
holidays. You can make an
uninvited appearance at just
about any backyard gathering
barbecue or brunch that you
might have planned this weekend.
I understand that I mean let's
face it when we're celebrating
with our friends and family we
let our guard down. It's
natural to do that. Now coming
into a weekend like Labor Day
in a non coated era. My normal
message to everybody would be
to be careful on the road this
weekend be careful in the water
this weekend. This year my
message my task is to be
careful in your own backyard.
Or in your own front yard bring
your own dining room. Because
one of the threats that we face
holiday as well as in prior
holidays is COVID 19 . As
we have learned all too well in
Maine over the past three
weeks. COVID 19  can crash
a party literally where we
least expect. Now I'll be the
first to admit it has been a
cruel summer. Around I had a-
and as we look into the
unofficial end of the summer we
know that this will. Mean that
there will be a lot of
celebrations this. My task for
all of you. Is to please be
doing the same things we've
talked about for so many months
now. As I mentioned a moment
ago. One of the areas in which
the science around covert
as cold last. Is that
two things really set apart the
prevention steps that you and
your family can take. Wearing a
face. Covering and staying
physically de. But we see feet
from everybody around you. Is
that to do during celebration
or gathering or Labor Day
barbecue no. Is it fun
absolutely not. Is a little
awkward to be the one person at
a barbecue wearing a face
covering most definitely. I've
been there. But I ask you to do
it and I ask you to set the
norm where every single event
that you might be going to for
the next three or four days. Is
one at which everyone is
wearing a face covering or that
want to work everyone is
staying at least six feet apart
from one another. Doing both of
those things as well as things
like washing your hands. Can
help us get a grip on COVID 19 
The honest truth is
everyone I'm I'm concerned. I'm
concerned because Maine has
done so well. I'm concerned
that if current trends continue
we might lose our grip on COVID 
. So I'm asking you as
you go into the celebratory
weekend. The end of summer the
end of this cruel summer.
Please do your part to help us
keep a grip on COVID 19 .
Course of prednisone abrasion
and we- and I urge everyone to
do so but do so in a way that
doesn't keep the number is
growing in such a fashion as
we've seen recently. At some
point. COVID 19  will be
behind us. When I ask everyone
to think about this weekend. Is
whether we want waiver day to
be the story that is told about
when everything in COVID 19 
change in may. About
whether we were back on Labor
Day in the same way that other
states have looked back on
Memorial Day for the fourth of
July. And said that's when it
all went loose. We don't want
that to happen here. So please
do your part this weekend hello
everyone in your family hello
everyone in your community stay
safe. I like to thank everyone
for their time today. Thank you
all for joining in as always
please be kind take care of one
another and we'll talk again on
Tuesday. Some of his
