Maine
Bangor officials discuss increase in HIV cases in Penobscot County
BANGOR, Maine (WABI) – The Maine CDC has announced there are now 21 confirmed cases of HIV in Penobscot County.
During a Bangor Government Operations meeting Monday Health Director Jennifer Gunderman discussed recent findings.
She said one of the factors leading to the increase in reported cases is an increase in testing.
The Maine CDC reports the cases of HIV are primarily among people who inject drugs and people who are unhoused.
Gunderman said services like the Wabanaki Syringe Service Program are helping keep people healthy.
“I know there has been some conversation about well ‘we have an SSP why are we still seeing transmission?’ My message is if we didn’t have a high quality SSP like Wabanaki we would be in a worse situation then we are right now,” said Gunderman.
Community partners around the area are working to connect people to resources and care.
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