LincolnHealth reported 87 COVID-19 cases out of 685 tests for weeks Aug. 8, 15 and 22. The positivity rate for the week of Aug. 8 rose to 16.53% from the previous week’s 14.5%, but has fallen every week since; the Aug. 22 positivity rate was 8.72%. Positive numbers for people under 18 remain stable at two cases per week over the past three weeks and has stayed in the single digits since the beginning of March.

“This week’s data is the best it’s been since the second week of June in terms of percentage of positive cases,” said LincolnHealth’s John Martins. “ Testing also was at its lowest in months, with only 195 tests. With 17 positive tests, the (positivity rate) fell to 8.72%, the best outcome since the week of June 13-19.”

The Maine Center for Disease Control continues classifying Lincoln County as having high transmission rates and low community levels, said Martins. The CDC data tracker lists every Maine county at high rates except for Sagadahoc and Washington counties which remain at substantial levels. Most counties in New England are classified as having high transmission rates except for a number in Vermont listed as substantial or moderate levels.

LincolnHealth teams are preparing for drive-through influenza shot clinics which begin Sept. 24. More details will be forthcoming.