Maine CDC says Thanksgiving gatherings linked to case spikes

AUGUSTA, Maine (WABI) - The head of the Maine CDC believes that the state is feeling the affect of Thanksgiving in the large daily jumps in cases of coronavirus.

Dr. Nirav Shah says that gatherings in and around the holiday are contributing to the steady rise in positive results.

That has him expressing concern for what will happen around Christmas and New Year’s celebrations.

He says that when it comes to the spread of an illness - where you start from often times dictates where you end up.

“If you go into those days, those holidays with higher rates of disease the likelihood that any one of those gatherings could be attended by somebody who has COVID itself goes up,” Shah explained. “This is almost exactly how exponential growth happens in our case and how exponential growth continues.”

Shah says he recognizes the importance the days ahead have to people, but if staying in your pod or your bubble is an option for you... it is the best thing you can do.