LincolnHealth reported 88 new COVID-19 cases from 528 tests for the week of Jan. 31. With testing and positive numbers continuing to drop, the positivity rate remains stable at 16.66%. Breakthrough cases, those who have received the vaccine and contracted the virus, were also down from 65 cases the previous week to 56; however, the positivity rate rose from 55% to 64%. Numbers for those 18 and under dropped from 38 to 14 or from 33% to 16% and was the lowest caseload since July 2021.

“We are certainly encouraged by the reduction in testing, and we’re hoping to see our positive percentages drop in future weeks,” said LincolnHealth’s John Martins.

Nearly 90% of Lincoln County residents have received at least one vaccine dose and 81% have completed either one dose of Johnson & Johnson or two doses of the mRNA vaccines, but Martins said LincolnHealth anticipates the booster rate is much lower. Many studies show the booster successful in reducing hospitalization rates and spread of infection, he said. “We encourage those who have not been boosted to do so by going to www.Vaccine.mainehealth.org or simply walk in to the Watson Health Center.”

Hours for the Watson Health Center have changed: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Inpatient beds are still full and swing patients, those awaiting openings in more appropriate treatment facilities, are still awaiting placement, said Martins. The challenges continue to limit LincolnHealth’s ability to admit patients to the hospital, he said. “Last night, for example, we had 11 swing patients awaiting placement, which represents roughly 40 percent of our beds. That number has varied much lately.”