by Ruth Leubecker

As more people are getting vaccinated in Maine, the state’s hospitals are struggling with an increase in COVID patients over the past weeks. 

“It’s not unusual to have a COVID patient in the hospital. We have two right now,” said Julie Hixson, communications director for Down East Community Hospital. “We’ve had COVID patients on ventilators, although none now. But as you know, Washington County’s kind’ve a hot spot right now.”