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As the infection spreads, the number becomes less meaningful, however, says the state's CDC chief.

From staff reports May 8, 2009

AUGUSTA — Officials have identified two new cases of swine flu in Maine – including the first person to be hospitalized with the virus, raising the state's total to 12.

The person hospitalized was identified as a young adult from Cumberland County who also has an underlying chronic illness.

The second case is a student who attends Bridgton Academy, according to the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

The 12 people identified as having the H1N1 virus are: four adults and one youth in York County; three adults in Kennebec County; one young adult and two youths in Cumberland County; and one youth in Penobscot County.

One of those sickened is a child who attends Lunt Elementary School in Falmouth.

School officials said Thursday that they were notified Wednesday night that a Lunt student contracted H1N1.

The student has not been in class since Friday, school officials said in a notice to parents posted on the school department's Web site.

The student will remain at home for the rest of the week, according to the message.

Lunt is remaining open under revised federal guidelines that no longer recommend school closures for the flu.

The only Maine school to close because of the virus, Kennebunk Elementary School, reopened Wednesday.

Dr. Dora Anne Mills, who heads the Maine CDC, said that as the infection spreads, the number of people identified with swine flu becomes less meaningful.

"We've conducted about 1,000 tests and we know that (swine flu) is here in Maine," Mills said in a statement. "Unless the test results would change treatment, we are not always recommending testing. Suspicious cases do not need to be tested so long as they are in a low-risk group, do not need antivirals, and those who have the symptoms are staying home."