Maine Records Third H1N1 Death

AUGUSTA (NEWS CENTER) -- A third death in Maine has been linked to the H1N1 Influenza Virus.

State health officials say this week they confirmed the death of an adult in the 50-to-64 age group in Penobscot County.

Meanwhile H1N1 cases continue to spread in Maine schools. In Winthrop, schools remain closed for the remainder of the week. The schools there are among 65 across the state to report absenteeism rates of at least 15 percent.

Despite that health officials say Maine is doing a much better job than other states when it comes to getting students vaccinated.

"95 percent of our schools will have offered vaccines by the end of next week, which is great, way ahead of most other states, actually ahead of any other state i've heard of", said Dr. Dora Mills, Maine CDC Director.

The H1N1 vaccine is still slow to arrive in Maine. 180-thousand doses have been distributed. That's only one dose for every eight people who live here.