NH Coronavirus Update: 4 More Children Infected; 715 Now Positive

Tony Schinella
·4 min read

CONCORD, NH — Four more children and 42 more adults are infected by the new coronavirus in the state, according to the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services. While the state Joint Information Center said several of the new cases are still under investigation, 54 percent were woman and 37 percent were men. Most of the new cases — 19 — live in Manchester, Nashua, and Hillsborough County.

It is unknown where one patient lives.

Rockingham County has 15 new cases while Merrimack County has six new cases.

More than two-thirds of the New Hampshire's coronavirus patients in the state live in Hillsborough and Rockingham counties.

Nine of the new patients were hospitalized bringing the count to 103, around 14 percent, needing hospital care out of 715 in the state.

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Of the new cases, 18 had no identified risk factors whereas most of the remaining cases have either traveled to international and domestic locations or close contact with a person confirmed with COVID-19. Health officials, however, are concerned with the continued community-based transmission in New Hampshire.

The new coronavirus recovery rate is hovering around 21 percent with 151 reportedly recovering from the virus, according to officials.

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The state said 8,019 tested negative at select laboratories including specimens tested at the NH Public Health Laboratories, LabCorp, Quest, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, and those sent to CDC prior to NH PHL testing capacity. Of those tests, 4,183 were done at the state labs. Forty-nine tests are pending at the state labs. The state does not know the number of pending tests at commercial laboratories.

Around 2,250 people are under public health monitoring.

Stop The Spread Of COVID-19!

COVID-19, not unlike the flu and other respiratory illnesses, 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.

  • Anybody who is told to self-quarantine and stay at home due to exposure to a person with confirmed or suspect COVID-19 needs to stay home and not go out into public places.

  • If you are 60 years or older or have chronic medical conditions, you need to stay home and not go out.

  • Avoid gatherings of 10 people or more.

  • Employers need to move to telework as much as possible.

  • There is increasing evidence that this virus can survive for hours or possibly even a few days on surfaces, so 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 when sick (i.e., social distancing).

  • 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.

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This article originally appeared on the Concord Patch