Coronavirus In New Hampshire: Another 378 New Positive Infections

CONCORD, NH — Another 378 New Hampshire residents have coronavirus, according to the State Joint Information Center.

The new cases were found after around 7,900 tests were issued. More than half of the new patients were found to have the virus after using polymerase chain reaction tests and 55 percent of the cases were female. Of the new cases, 89 were children. Most cases, 105, reside in Rockingham County while 96 live in Hillsborough County outside of Nashua, 27 live in Merrimack County, and 15 live in Nashua.

"Several cases are still under investigation," the state said. "The county of residence is being determined for 21 new cases."

Most of the new cases with complete risk information had contact with an infected person or are connected to an outbreak setting.

There are 3,413 active coronavirus cases and 123 people hospitalized in New Hampshire.

The state also issued a vaccine allocation update stating that more than 244,000 people had received two doses of the vaccine while another 308,000 were fully vaccinated meaning around 64,000 people in New Hampshire probably received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine — which was put on a pause on Tuesday. Residents who are 65 and older make up about 133,000 of the people who have completed the two-dose vaccine.

Manchester still has the most active cases in New Hampshire — 247 while Nashua has 227. Salem has 88 cases, Merrimack has 75, Concord has 69, Portsmouth has 67, Londonderry has 61, and Bedford has 59, according to the state. Exeter has 45, Windham has 37, Amherst and Milford have 34, Hampton has 33, North Hampton has 12.

K-12 school settings in New Hampshire have 171 active cases.

Schools reporting three cases include Nashua High School and Milford High School while Windham Center School, the Ross A. Lurgio Middle School, the James Mastricola Upper Elementary School, Exeter High School, the Beaver Meadow Elementary School, and the Amherst Middle School have two cases. Nineteen schools in Patch communities have a single case.

Colleges and universities in the state have 68 active cases including 28 at UNH in Durham and 12 at Plymouth State University.

Doctor Talks About J&J Vaccine Pause

On Tuesday, federal and state governments paused issuing the J&J vaccine. Section Chief of Hematology Medicine at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Christopher Lowrey, MD, addressed concerns about the J&J vaccines in a video update below.

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• Officials: Yes, Out-Of-Staters Can Come To NH To Get Vaccines
• Another COVID-19 Death In New Hampshire, 434 More Cases: Update

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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