The seven-day average of daily COVID-19 cases in Maine is virtually identical to a month ago, a clear sign that even with the acceleration of vaccinations, the risks remain.

“It’s a constant concern,” said Governor Janet Mills on Monday, when asked about the status of the static case on “Maine Calling,” a telephone radio program on Maine Public. Mills said that new cases are appearing more frequently in places that have been largely spared, such as the sparsely populated Piscataquis County, and she fears that as spring approaches, people will let their guard down.

“I don’t want to see Maine become Fort. Spring break in Lauderdale, ”said the governor, referring to reports of crowds of college-age revelers meeting without a mask in Florida over the weekend.

Maine is one of 17 states that has seen an increase in average daily cases in the past two weeks, according to data from Johns Hopkins University. Many other states continue to see declines in the post-holiday increase.

Dr. Rochelle Walensky, director of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said in an interview on Monday that she is concerned about another national increase in COVID cases, particularly because of what is happening in several European countries now. .

“Each of these countries had nadirs like the ones we are having now, and each assumed an upward trend after disregarding known mitigation strategies. They just took their eyes off the ball, ”said Walensky. “I am begging you, for the sake of our nation’s health. These must be warning signs for all of us. Cases increased last spring. They climbed again in the summer. They will go up now if we stop taking precautions when we continue to vaccinate more and more people. “

Maine health officials reported 174 new cases on Monday, along with an additional death. The average seven-day daily cases rose to 182 cases, which is slightly higher than the average of 167 cases two weeks ago, but almost identical to the average of 183 this month last month. The cases peaked at more than 600 a day in mid-January and then steadily declined for a month before stabilizing.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, there have been 47,199 confirmed or probable cases of COVID-19 and 725 deaths, according to data monitored by the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

Hospitalizations, which had also stabilized, appear to be growing again. As of Monday, there were 82 people in a Maine hospital with COVID-19, the highest total since February 19. Of these patients, 24 are in intensive care and nine are on ventilators. Hospitalizations reached more than 200 in mid-January, before dropping to 62 earlier this month.

Vaccinations, however, continue to increase. On Monday morning, 323,049 people, or 24% of the population of Maine, received the first dose of the vaccine and 189,235 people, or 14% of the population, received the second dose. Those who received the Johnson & Johnson single dose vaccine are counted in the second doses.

The state returned to the top 10 in vaccination rates. According to the latest Bloomberg News tracker, Maine ranked 10th out of the percentage of residents who were fully vaccinated.

Mills said the state has made great strides, especially in inoculating older residents, and there are now more than 200 vaccination sites across the state for residents to choose from.

“It is the most difficult logistical challenge we have ever faced,” she said. “The main impediment is simply the supply.”

Maine saw a modest increase in vaccine doses this week and is expected to see greater increases in late March and April.

As Maine prepares to reopen business and leisure activities later this month, parents are pushing schools for more face-to-face learning. Most schools in Maine operate under a hybrid system, with two face-to-face days a week and the rest remote.

While Freeport, Biddeford and other districts are considering or have already announced plans for more face-to-face learning, many school leaders are pointing out how difficult it will be to comply with federal and Maine school reopening guidelines, especially distance recommendations.

But the US CDC guidelines on physical distance, which currently recommend 6 feet between students and adult staff, may soon be relaxed. Maine health officials said that if the US CDC’s recommendations change, they will take a look at changes to state guidelines.

Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the United States National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, told CNN on Sunday that a Massachusetts study that showed that there were no significant differences in infection rates in schools that required 3 feet of distance between students and staff versus 6 feet “in fact” point to a loosening of the US CDC’s school reopening guidelines. Fauci said he expected revisions “soon”.

Walensky also said on Monday that the US CDC is examining the Massachusetts study closely, but said other studies on distance in schools are also underway.

Maine has a 3-foot guideline in its school reopening recommendations, but requires 6 feet between students at lunchtime, when the masks are removed.

Massachusetts has distance rules similar to those in Maine, but elementary schools in Massachusetts are returning to full-time education on April 5, followed by high schools on April 28, and a date for high school must be announced soon.

Maine Medical Center in Portland, the state’s largest hospital, announced on Monday that it would ease its visit requirement for non-COVID patients starting Wednesday. The changes include: Allow a visitor daily from 3 pm to 6 pm in inpatient areas, including intensive care; allow a person to accompany an adult patient to the emergency department; and allowing pediatric patients to be accompanied by two parents / guardians.

In addition, patients in palliative care can receive two daily visits, once a day, at times to be managed by the care team, and up to four family members can visit end-of-life patients in all areas.

“We recognize the extremely important role that family members and care partners play in providing support and comfort to our patients, as well as helping patients during the transition to home or community care,” said MMC President Jeff Sanders . “This update to our visitor policy is designed to strike an appropriate balance, keeping patients, visitors and members of the care team as safe as possible, while recognizing the importance of visitors to the patient’s well-being.

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