With the Delta variant of COVID 19 on the rise and far more contagious than the original virus, Maine's COVID 19 vaccination rate has increased in importance. The news that it has reached a new milestone with 80% of the adult population having received at least one dose of the vaccine was shared by the office of Governor Janet Mills on August 9. Maine is third in the nation in the percentage of residents who are fully vaccinated, with more than 64% of all residents -- including children under 12 who are not yet eligible for a vaccine -- fully vaccinated against COVID 19. Maine also continues to make progress in vaccinating younger people, with more than 50% of youth ages 12 to 19 being fully vaccinated.
      State rates of daily reported cases have been increasing again from a low of six on July 5. On May 13 reported cases had hit 305. On August 9 the number of confirmed cases exceeded the May 13 number at 369. The cumulative total number of cases in the state is 71,666, with 52,145 confirmed, 901 deaths and 2,172 hospitalizations. In Washington County the total number of cases is 988, with 549 confirmed, 17 deaths and 41 hospitalizations.
      "With the more contagious and deadly Delta variant spreading across Maine and the nation, it is crucial that we continue to make progress and fight back against this pandemic," says Mills. "If you haven't had your shot yet, I encourage you to talk to your doctor about how getting vaccinated can protect your health and potentially save your life."
      Maine Center for Disease Control (CDC) Director of Communications Robert Long explains, "Research indicates that the Delta variant makes people sick more quickly than do other strains of the variant. All three of the FDA authorized vaccines are highly effective against the Delta variant and all other strains of the virus. Maine CDC recommends that those who are not fully vaccinated wear masks in indoor public settings. The U.S. CDC also recommends that people who are fully vaccinated wear masks in indoor public settings when in counties with substantial or high rates of virus transmission."
      The COVID 19 vaccine is available at no charge at sites across the state. For information on getting a COVID 19 vaccine, visit www.Maine.gov/covid19/vaccines or call the Community Vaccination Line at 1 888 445 4111.

Healthcare vaccination rates
      Some healthcare facilities, including nursing homes, ambulatory surgical centers and certain assisted housing providers, including intermediate care facilities for individuals with intellectual disabilities, are now required to report vaccination rates of staff. The U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) requires the self reporting of COVID 19 staff vaccination rates into the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) National Healthcare Safety Network on a weekly basis. CMS posts this data for the public to view for every state on their website. Maine is additionally requiring hospitals to publicly report staff COVID 19 vaccination rates. The information is updated once a month.
      In Washington County the following facilities have self reported vaccination rates for staff: Calais based Washington Place assisted living facility at 65%; Calais Community Hospital at 85.6%; Eastport Memorial Nursing Home at 81.8%; Down East Community Hospital at 79.9%; Marshall Health Care and Rehabilitation Nursing Home in Machias at 77%; East Point assisted living facility in Machias at 46.2%; and the Maine Veterans' Home in Machias at 74%.

County vaccination rates increase
      As of August 9, statewide almost 1.6 million vaccine doses have been administered. In Washington County almost 30,000 doses have been administered, and of those 16,841 were final doses. With a final dose vaccination rate of 53.7% the county is above the rates of Somerset, Piscataquis and Oxford counties and is within the same range as Androscoggin, Aroostook, Kennebec and Penobscot counties, but lags behind the eight other counties in the state.
      Vaccination rates in Washington County's communities are making gains for those who have received at least one vaccination dose. Wesley is at 95%; Eastport is at 85%; Calais at 84%; and Lubec at 82%. Meddybemps is at 78%; Robbinston at 72%; Beals, Pembroke and Whiting at 71%; and Machias at 70%. Jonesboro is at 69%; Princeton at 67%; Baileyville at 66%; Jonesport at 63%; Addison and East Machias at 61%; and Harrington at 60%. Columbia Falls is at 59%; Cherryfield at 58%; Dennysville at 57%; Machiasport at 56%; and Perry at 51%. Cutler continues to lag well behind the rest of the county at 43%. As an example of gains made, three months ago on May 25, Eastport was at 73%; Lubec at 69%; Calais at 65%; Machias at 55%; and Cutler at 39%.