Maine Records First COVID-19 Death

An elderly Cumberland County man is the first Mainer to die after testing positive for COVID-19, the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention reported on Friday.

The individual was a man in his 80s. Due to privacy laws, Maine CDC is limited in releasing further details.

"This is a sad day for the State of Maine. I know I join countless people in extending my condolences to his family, friends, and loved ones during this difficult time," Gov. Janet Mills said. "Our state is a family. And while we mourn the loss of a member of our Maine family today, I find strength and solace in knowing that we will support one another and that, together, we will get through this."

As of Friday, March 27, there were 168 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Maine, according to state officials. Thirty people are hospitalized. There have been 3,394 negative tests. There has been one death.

The numbers show 24 Mainers have recovered from the virus. It is not clear whether those numbers include 90-year-old Geneva Wood, who has made a full recovery, according to a story at News Center Maine.

Symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, shortness of breath, and lower respiratory distress. Individuals who exhibit those symptoms are advised to contact medical providers before going to a health care facility.