Another death in New Hampshire has been linked to COVID-19, and health officials said more deaths are being investigated as possible cases.>> Download the FREE WMUR appDr. Benjamin Chan, the state epidemiologist, said Wednesday that a fourth person had died in New Hampshire of complications related to COVID-19. The patient was a woman from Sullivan County over 60 years old who had underlying medical conditions. Chan said there are other recent deaths that might also be linked to the coronavirus.The Crotched Mountain School in Greenfield on Wednesday confirmed that one of its residents, a 46-year-old resident with significant disabilities and a history of respiratory complications, died on Sunday from the coronavirus. The death has not been officially confirmed by the state as being attributed to COVID-19.>> COVID-19 in New Hampshire: What you need to knowState officials said the Crotched Mountain School is one of several long-term-care facilities in New Hampshire dealing with outbreaks of COVID-19."We're actively working with them to make sure they have the appropriate infection control preventions in place, to make sure they have the appropriate personal protective equipment so they can protect not only employees, but the residents they're caring for," Chan said. Chan said other people in New Hampshire hospitals might also have COVID-19. There have been 59 confirmed cases that have required hospitalization, he said."Now we are aware of additional people who are hospitalized, or additional individuals who have died and are undergoing further investigation and testing for COVID-19, so these numbers are likely to increase in the coming days," Chan said.A spokesperson for the school said the 46-year-old man who died had underlying health problems. They said the sudden death was difficult for the community. The school is home to programs serving children and adults with disabilities. The organization said concerns over COVID-19 began last week when two adults came down with a fever.Crotched Mountain said it has put the campus on lockdown.“We have a contained outbreak,” President and CEO of the Crotched Mountain Foundation Ned Olney said. “It’s in one of our residential homes. We’re doing everything possible to keep those residents and other staff safe.">> Latest coronavirus coverage from WMURHealth officials announced 48 new COVID-19 cases on Wednesday, bringing the state's total to 415 out of about 6,400 people who have been tested for the virus. The new patients include 30 men and 18 women who live in Hillsborough (20, including nine from Nashua and six from Manchester), Rockingham (17), Cheshire (3), Carroll (2), Grafton (2), Strafford (2), Belknap (1) and Merrimack (1) counties. >> See full video from Wednesday's news Eight of the new patients were hospitalized, officials said. In all, 58 people have been hospitalized. Fifteen of the new cases showed no identified risk factors, which is continuing evidence of community transmission. Officials said community transmission has been identified in all counties with cases. Most of the remaining patients either traveled domestically or internationally or had close contact with a person diagnosed with COVID-19.There are confirmed COVID-19 cases in every county except Coos County. Chan said there are a number of possible reasons, including fewer people in the North Country seeking care, and potential limits on PPEs at local outpatient providers. He said people should behave as if the virus is everywhere in New Hampshire.Chan said he believes that COVID-19 is widespread in the state and present in most communities. He said many people with mild symptoms might not have been tested but could still spread the illness to others.Chan said the peak of infections in New Hampshire is still likely weeks away. Even as infections decline, there could be weeks or months of precautions necessary to help ensure that the virus doesn't spread quickly.Gov. Chris Sununu said the state will be ready for the coming surge of COVID-19 patients needing hospitalization."One of the more recent models says we'll need somewhere between 2-4,000 beds given the severity of the situation, so we have somewhere between 2-3,000 beds available with all these flex and surge centers. We're going to be there," Sununu said.Chan said Granite Staters should continue to practice social distancing and remain at least six feet away from others when performing necessary tasks outside the home, such as grocery shopping or buying gas. He said frequent handwashing and disinfection of surfaces can help prevent the spread of the virus.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