Coronavirus Institutional Outbreaks Drop To 26 In New Hampshire

CONCORD, NH — Health officials reported another nine deaths related to COVID-19 in the state of New Hampshire on Thursday.

The fatalities include women from Grafton, Merrimack, and Sullivan counties, three women and a man from Hillsborough County, and two women from Rockingham County.

"We offer our sympathies to the family and friends," stated the State Joint Information Center.

Five of the deaths were connected to long-term care facilities while eight were 80 years of age or older while one was between 60 and 69 years old.

Also, state officials revised the summary section of the data dashboard moving one of the previously reported deaths in the 20 to 29 age bracket to the 60 to 69 category. There are now only two deaths in the 20 to 29 category.

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Another 433 new infections were also reported Thursday including 67 more children. Slightly more females than males were infected in the latest cases. More than 300 of the cases were found via polymerase chain reaction tests. There are now around 4,100 active cases in the state.

Hillsborough County had the most newest cases — 164 while 105 live in Rockingham County, 39 live in Merrimack County, and 24 live in Nashua.

About 209 people are in the hospital in New Hampshire while nearly 62,000 people have recovered from the virus, about 92.3 percent of all cases. More than 603,500 people in the state have been tested via PCR tests.

On Thursday, the state also reported that institutional associated outbreaks dropped to 26. Outbreaks have closed at the Bel-Air Nursing Home and Rehab Center, the Calumet Transitional Housing Unit, Clipper Harbor/Cedar Healthcare Center, Community Bridges of Concord, Golden View Health Care in Meredith, Greystone Farms, Harbor Care Chestnut Street Group Home, the Northern NH Correctional Facility in Berlin, Pleasant View Nursing Home, and the Secure Psychiatric Unit.

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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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