PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — The director of the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention said Friday a smaller uptick in the number of coronavirus cases in the state over the past day doesn't necessarily mean the spread of the virus is slowing.

Maine's case count stood at 56 on Friday, Nirav Shah said. The count had been 52 on Thursday after growing more rapidly in the previous days. Maine was the last state in New England to announce a positive case.

"The fact is this is a fast-moving situation," Shah said. "While this might be the result of flattening of the curve, it very well might not."

For most people, the coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, or death. The vast majority of people recover.

PROTECTIVE GEAR SHORTAGE

Democratic Gov. Janet Mills called on the federal government to help the state secure personal protective equipment and testing supplies. Mills sent a letter to Vice President Mike Pence and U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar on Thursday that said the "demand from providers and first responders in our state will soon outstrip our available supply," even after the state received an initial distribution of supplies.

RELIEF FUND

The United Way of Greater Portland on Friday announced it was launching the Greater Portland COVID-19 Community Relief Fund. The organization said the fund would be designed to aid people experiencing homelessness or at risk of becoming homeless, as well as people who could suffer "devastating financial and health impacts due to the coronavirus."

The United Way said it would award funds to nonprofit groups and municipalities that serve vulnerable populations.

TURKEY SEASON STILL ON

A spokesman for the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife said there are no plans to delay the start of spring wild turkey hunting season on May 4.

The Associated Press receives support for health and science coverage from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute's Department of Science Education. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

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