37K, In Their 40s, Sign Up For COVID-19 Vaccines In New Hampshire

CONCORD, NH — The state announced another 272 new positive coronavirus test results on Monday, including 33 children.

Most of the new cases were found after about 1,900 tests were administered on Sunday. Forty-seven, however, were cases identified during data quality assurance activities, the state said. Those cases were from tests administered between November 2020 through March.

Most of the cases were found via polymerase chain reaction tests and slightly more than half were male.

The state is investigating where 27 new cases reside. Of the other infections, 70 live in Hillsborough County outside of Nashua, 57 reside in Rockingham County, 25 live in Nashua, and 17 live in Merrimack County.

There are now 2,785 active cases and 73 hospitalizations. About 95.2 percent of all cases have recovered from the virus. Nearly 1.88 million tests have been administered to around 49.3 percent of the population. Almost 16 percent of Granite Staters have been vaccinated with the state saying 215,577 had been fully vaccinated.

There are 187 active cases in K-12 schools and 129 infections at colleges and universities.

37,000 Sign Up

New Hampshire became the first state in the nation to begin accepting appointments for COVID-19 vaccines for people who are between 40 and 49, according to state officials.

As of 5 p.m. on Monday, around 37,000 people had signed up to get their vaccines. On Wednesday, residents who are 30 and older can set appointments while Granite Staters between 16 and 30 will begin on Friday.

"VINI handled today's rollout with ease," Gov. Chris Sununu said. "As the first state in New England to expand eligibility to those over 40, New Hampshire is wasting no time at all with appointments for Phase 3 having already started today. This is yet another positive step forward as we prepare for a booming summer here in the Granite State."

An online waiting room was created and utilized on Monday to give people signing up an idea of how long they will have to wait before begin able to get an appointment.

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Stop The Spread Of COVID-19

The COVID-19 virus is spread through respiratory droplets, usually through coughing and sneezing, and exposure to others who are sick or might be showing symptoms.

Health officials emphasize residents should follow these recommendations:

• Avoid any domestic and international travel, especially on public transportation such as buses, trains, and airplanes.
• Practice social distancing. Stay at least 6 feet from other people, including distancing while in waiting areas or lines.
• When you can't practice 6 feet of social distancing, wear a face covering.
• Anyone who is told to self-quarantine and stay at home due to exposure to a person with a confirmed or suspected case of COVID-19 needs to not go out to public places.
• If you are 60 years or older or have chronic and underlying health conditions, you need to stay home and not go out.
• Avoid gatherings of 10 people or more.
• Employers should work from home as much as possible.
• There is increasing evidence that the virus can survive for hours or possibly days on surfaces. People should clean frequently touched surfaces, including door handles, grocery carts, and grocery basket handles, etc.

Take the same precautions as you would if you were sick:

• Stay home and avoid public places.
• Wear a face covering.
• Cover mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing.
• Wash hands frequently.
• Disinfect frequently touched surfaces.

More information from the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services about coronavirus can be found here on the department's website.

COVID-19 Vaccine Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Schools, Employers, Employees, and Businesses (Can your employer force you to get the vaccine? It depends).

COVID-19 Vaccine Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Healthcare Providers and Public Health Partners

• Guidance to schools can be found here.
• Instructions for returning travelers to self-observe for symptoms of COVID-19 are available here.
• For more information on COVID-19 in NH, visit its site here.
• For the latest information from the CDC, visit its site here.
• To access the state's COVID-19 data dashboard, click on this link here.
• To access the state's COVID-19 Interactive Map Dashboard, click on this link here.

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