Mount Desert Island Hospital has seen an increase in COVID-19 positivity on MDI and surrounding communities following the holiday season. We strongly encourage everyone to remain vigilant, monitor for symptoms, wear a mask, practice good hand hygiene, maintain physical distancing and avoid crowded situations with poor ventilation.
Due to the increase in positivity, MDI Hospital will be providing access to our Winter Testing Facility on Sunday, January 3, 2021. The call line 207-801-5520 will open at 8:00 am to schedule testing for anyone who believes they may have come in contact with a COVID-19 positive community member. If we are on the line when you call, please leave a message so we can ensure your call is returned. Testing on Sunday will take place from 12:00 pm to 2:30 pm. The facility is located adjacent to 6 Stanwood Place in Bar Harbor.
In recent weeks, our state has seen the highest increase in cases since the beginning of the pandemic. We have also seen the first shipments of COVID-19 vaccination arrive in our state. As we have been throughout the pandemic, MDI Hospital remains committed to being as transparent as possible throughout this process. Supply of vaccine will be limited at first, and it is more important than ever that we maintain COVID-19 safety precautions.
Over the next several months, vaccines will begin to be available to protect those in Maine at the highest risk. The State of Maine has set vaccination priorities in accordance with the latest federal guidelines. Current recommendations from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention include two phases. Phase 1 includes three tiers, 1a, 1b and 1c. Phase 1a includes health care workers and residents of long-term care facilities. Phase 1b includes people age 75 and older and frontline essential workers. Phase 1c includes people ages 65 to 74, people ages 16 to 64 with high-risk medical conditions, and other essential workers. Phase 2 includes all people ages 16 and older who are not in Phase 1, with vaccine starting to become available to the general public.
This approach is subject to change as Maine receives new vaccination guidance. The State has established a new webpage to help everyone stay up to date on the latest vaccine information: www.maine.gov/covid19/vaccines. As we wait for COVID-19 vaccine supply to increase, please continue to maintain physical distancing, wear a mask, practice good hand hygiene and avoid crowded situations with poor ventilation. Thank you for helping to protect the health and well-being of our invaluable community.
