LincolnHealth reported 67 new COVID-19 cases from 462 tests for the week of Feb. 7. The positivity rate fell to 14.5% from the previous week’s nearly 17% continuing a downward trend also seen in testing numbers and positive cases. Cases among those 18 and under continue to be stable and breakthrough cases, those who have been vaccinated and contracted the virus, fell to 39 or 58% of cases from the previous week’s 56 cases or 64% of cases.

However, a high percentage of vaccinations can create misleading data about the vaccines’ effectiveness at preventing COVID-19, LincolnHealth’s John Martins said. In January, LincolnHealth reported over 990 cases, 559 being vaccinated (56%) and 431 unvaccinated (42%). Comparing the number of cases to testing numbers alone is a base rate fallacy when considering vaccine effectiveness, he said: Lincoln County’s population is 33,085 and with 26,874 being vaccinated, January’s 559 breakthrough cases show a 2% infection rate. The infection rate for the 6,211 unvaccinated is 7%.

“So, some of the (misleading data) may be due to the 81.24 percent vaccination rate in Lincoln County,” said Martins.

LincolnHealth changed some of its visitation policies Feb. 15. Visitors’ hours are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and there can be only one visitor 18 or older per day in most cases. The emergency department, urgent care center, primary and specialty care, day and procedural surgery, ambulatory and diagnostic areas are allowing no visitors for adults. Pediatric patients are allowed one visitor in each of these except primary and specialty care where they are allowed two visitors. End of life and comfort care visits will be managed by the care team and obstetric patients are allowed one visitor with doulas also permitted if requested and a part of the prenatal process.

Vaccination efforts are ongoing with a primary focus on booster shots, said Martins. LincolnHealth has extended communications to area non-profits and municipal officials in hopes of making the hospital’s COVID-19 resources, including vaccinations, more available. Anyone who has not received a booster shot should walk in to the Watson Center at LincolnHealth’s Miles campus in Damariscotta, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Appointments can also be made at www.vaccine.mainehealth.org