New Hampshire’s Deadliest Week For COVID-19 In Several Months

CONCORD, NH — During the past week, state health officials reported 18 people had died due to or related to COVID-19 — the highest number of deaths reported in several months.

Of the deaths, seven were connected to long-term care settings while 10 were 80 years of age or older, 5 were between 70 and 79, two were in the 60- to 69-years-old age bracket, and a woman from Merrimack County was between 40 and 49. Of the deaths, two women and two men lived in Belknap County, a woman and man lived in Cheshire County, one man lived in Grafton County, one woman and two men lived in Hillsborough, one woman and one man lived in Merrimack County, three men lived Rockingham County, and one man who lived in Sullivan County. State health officials also said the woman from Merrimack County died the week of June 28 and a man from Rockingham County, who was in his 70s, died the week of June 14.

Accumulatively, 1,415 New Hampshire residents have died.

The seven-day average of fatalities in New Hampshire reached its highest level since mid-May.

Between Monday and Friday, health officials also reported 1,954 new coronavirus infections in the state. More than one-fifth of the new cases, 404, were children (19 or younger). According to the data, 106 were health care workers while 64 were connected to long-term care settings. As of Friday, there were nearly 2,800 active cases while more than 102,000 people have recovered from the virus.

The number of fatalities or new infections that were vaccinated or unvaccinated is unknown.

On Monday, Patch requested public information officials with the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services to begin reporting, as much as possible, “breakthrough” (vaccinated) and unvaccinated data for infections and deaths. In past reports, InDepthNH.org has published limited information on breakthrough cases in New Hampshire which were minimal, about 5 percent of active cases.

Vermont, however, which is similar in population size to New Hampshire with like demographics and is also a popular seasonal tourist destination has seen an uptick in breakthrough cases. According to the VT Digger, between 35 and 40 percent of all new infections between July 24 and Aug. 21 were residents who were vaccinated. In May and June in Vermont, breakthroughs made up between 5 and 17 percent of all new infections.

More institutional outbreaks were also reported last week by state health officials. As of Thursday, six locations had outbreaks: Alpine Health Center In Keene, Epsom Health Center, the federal prison in Berlin, the Laconia Rehabilitation Center, Maple Wood Cheshire County Nursing Home in Westmoreland, and the Rockingham County Nursing Home and Rehab Center. The facilities account for three deaths, 35 staff cases, and 83 residential cases.

There are 134 people hospitalized and 11 suspected hospitalizations as of Friday.

About 54 percent of all New Hampshire residents have been fully vaccinated with about 60 percent of all residents 12 and over were vaccinated.

Colleges and universities reported 29 active cases including 28 at Dartmouth College in Hanover and a single case at Rivier University in Nashua.

Only two cases were connected to K-12 schools: One at Nashua Children’s Home and another at the Winnisquam Regional Middle School in Tilton.

ALSO READ:

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• Distant Dome: Virtual Access Needed As COVID-19 Cases Surge In New Hampshire
• COVID-19 Breakthrough Infections: What You Need To Know
• 1,670 New Coronavirus Cases In New Hampshire: 7-Day Report
• CDC: COVID-19 Booster Shots Coming 8 Months After Second Dose Starting Sept. 20

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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