LincolnHealth reported 36 new COVID-19 cases from 269 tests for the week of March 7. With a slight uptick in tests from the prior week, positive cases doubled ending a downward trend which began in the second week of January. Breakthrough cases, those who have been vaccinated and contracted the virus, went up threefold, six to 18, since the previous week’s data and accounted for half of all cases. Five cases, or 14%, accounted for those who have had a booster shot.

“Despite these numbers moving in the wrong direction, we’re pleased to see the number of positive individuals in the double digits, compared to triple digits throughout January,” said LincolnHealth’s John Martins. “Two months ago, we hit the highest number of positives in one week (283). By comparison, we had just 36 positive cases this week.”

LincolnHealth has not adjusted any of its masking policies in its healthcare facilities, but there has been discussion about easing restrictions in non-clinical areas, said Martins. Visitors are still required to mask and social distance and the hospital is still maintaining its policy of one visitor per adult patient and two per pediatric patient. When social distancing becomes difficult due to space and amount of visitors, some are asked to leave and return at a later time. “We apologize for this inconvenience, but we are following the best practices for keeping our team, patients and visitors safe.”

Like many hospitals, LincolnHealth still struggles with bed availability, but continues to work with other MaineHealth hospitals to ensure inpatients have a space. Said Martins, “On Monday night, for example, there were several transfers due to the lack of available beds at LincolnHealth.”