THE DAILY MONITOR
Reporting in the Public Interest
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CORONAVIRUS IN MAINE
VACCINATION UPDATE
85,847 Cumulative vaccinations in Maine (An increase of 4,492 from Tuesday)
71,070 First doses administered in Maine (An increase of 2,156 from Tuesday)
14,140 Second doses administered in Maine (An increase of 1,699 from Tuesday)
COVID-19 DASHBOARD
34,963 Total cases (An increase of 701 from Tuesday)
530 Deaths (An Increase of 11 from Tuesday)
701 New daily cases (An increase of 315 from Tuesday)
7,898* Diagnosed cases in the past 14 days (An increase of 177 from Tuesday)
198 Currently in hospital (An increase of 7 from Tuesday)

*This metric represents an estimation of active COVID-19 case in Maine. The Maine CDC is no longer reporting on active cases because it has stopped tracking recoveries for some patients.
TODAY'S HEADLINES
WASHINGTON — Joe Biden became the 46th president of the United States on Wednesday, declaring that “democracy has prevailed” as he took the helm of a deeply divided nation and inherited a confluence of crises arguably greater than any faced by his predecessors.

Biden’s inauguration came at a time of national tumult and uncertainty, a ceremony of resilience as the hallowed American democratic rite unfurled at a U.S. Capitol battered by an insurrectionist siege just two weeks ago. The chilly Washington morning was dotted with snow flurries, but the sun emerged just before Biden took the oath of office, the quadrennial ceremony persevering even though it was encircled by security forces evocative of a war zone and devoid of crowds because of the coronavirus pandemic.

“The will of the people has been heard, and the will of the people has been heeded. We’ve learned again that democracy is precious and democracy is fragile. At this hour, my friends, democracy has prevailed,” Biden said. “This is America’s day. This is democracy’s day. A day in history and hope, of renewal and resolve.”

And then he pivoted to challenges ahead, acknowledging the surging virus that has claimed more than 400,000 lives in the United States. Biden looked out over a capital city dotted with empty storefronts that attest to the pandemic’s deep economic toll and where summer protests laid bare the nation’s renewed reckoning on racial injustice. READ MORE
Another 11 Mainers have died as health officials on Wednesday reported 701 more coronavirus cases.

The number of coronavirus cases diagnosed in the past 14 days statewide is 7,898. This is an estimation of the current number of active cases in the state, as the Maine CDC is no longer tracking recoveries for all patients. That’s up from 7,721 on Tuesday. 

It marked a sharp uptick in new cases after three consecutive days when they slipped below 400, the longest sustained drop Maine has seen in recent weeks. Still Wednesday’s report is a far cry from the dizzying heights new cases reached — including an-all-time high of 824 — last week.

Five Cumberland County residents, a Kennebec County resident, four Penobscot County residents and a York County resident have succumbed to the virus, bringing the statewide death toll to 530.

Maine’s seven-day average for new coronavirus cases is 546.4, down from 564 a day ago and from 581.7 a week ago, but up from 436 a month ago. READ MORE
The Maine Capitol Police is being run by its second in command, prompting speculation that its embattled chief has been put on administrative leave after he promoted far-right falsehoods about masks and President Joe Biden’s election victory.

The Department of Public Safety confirmed in a statement Tuesday that Lt. Robert Elliot is now leading the agency, which oversees security at the state Capitol complex.

Citing advice from the Office of Attorney General, the statement does not confirm that Chief Russ Gauvin has been placed on administrative leave while his social media posts are investigated.

"Because this is an ongoing personnel related matter, the Office of the Attorney General has advised that Maine statute prohibits the Department from discussing it further," the statement read. READ MORE