Covid-19 and Vaccination Update

There were 45 new cases of Covid-19 in Sanford and Springvale in the seven-day period ending May 2. The cumulative total of cases of the virus in our community now stands at 1,652.

In the same period, there were 301 new cases of Covid-19 in all of York County. This is the second week in a row that new cases have declined. There were no reported deaths associated with Covid-19 in York County during this period. Androscoggin County is the hotspot in the state of Maine right now.

Walk-In hours at the Sanford Vaccination Center, 1364 Main St., are now being scheduled seven days a week. The upcoming schedule is as follows:

• Friday, 5/7 – 8 am – Noon
• Saturday, 5/8 – 8 am – Noon
•  Sunday, 5/9 – 8 am – Noon
•  Monday, 5/10 – 8 am – Noon
•  Tuesday, 5/11 – 5 pm – 8 pm
•  Wednesday, 5/12 – 8 am – Noon
•  Thursday, 5/13 – 8 am – Noon, 5 pm – 8 pm
•  Friday, 5/14 – 8 am – Noon
•  Saturday, 5/15 – 8 am – Noon
•  Sunday, 5/16 – 8 am – Noon

41.38% of Maine’s population is now fully vaccinated against the virus.

In his report to the City Council Tuesday evening, City Manager Steven Buck reported that Southern Maine Health Care and York County Emergency Management have both indicated that demand for the Covid-19 vaccine has dropped off precipitously. Staff hours at the vaccine clinic in South Sanford have been reduced. The walk-in and evening appointments are making it easier for people who have not gotten their shots yet. York County paramedic teams continue to do outreach clinics. Vials of vaccine have been discarded at some clinics due to no-shows. Mr. Buck said in his opinion the state should begin an new educational campaign about the availability of the vaccine and the ease of getting it.

Mayor Anne-Marie Mastraccio asked if there had been any consideration to setting up a vaccine clinic in the downtown area which would be easier for many residents to access. Mr. Buck said he would bring it up with the Incident Management Team that coordinates the clinics.

Maine CDC Director Dr. Nirav Shah will be in Sanford this week.

Subscribe to our twice-weekly email newsletter and never miss a story! Visit sanfordspringvalenews.com/subscribe/ to sign up.