15 New Infections; 5 New Hospitalizations: NH Coronavirus Update

Tony Schinella
·3 min read

CONCORD, NH — The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services Monday began separating its testing data showing both total tests and specimens taken as well as individuals tested.

The state said it was separating the data to incorporate results from its serial surveillance testing program of long-term care facilities which began last week.

"Previously, the data reflected the number of unique individuals tested," the State Joint Information Center said. "The new data reflects the total number of tests run each day, including repeat testing for individuals. As a result of creating and conducting quality assurance on the separate data sets, the newly-extracted data has led to revisions in the number of person-based test results."

On Sunday, 969 people were tested with polymerase chain reaction (nasal swab) tests and the state collected 1,416 samples. Another 166 individuals were tested for antibody lab tests while 168 tests were submitted. The state is running an average of about 2,100 tests per day from around 1,700 individuals — meaning hundreds of people are being retested each day.

Fifteen new cases of COVID-19 were also announced Monday bringing the total case count to 5,558 in New Hampshire — with 4,250 or about 77 percent recovering from the virus. The genders of the new cases breakdown as 60 percent women and 40 percent men with four living in Manchester, four living in Hillsborough County outside of Manchester and Nashua, three living in Rockingham County, one living in Nashua, and one residing in Merrimack County.

Only one of the new cases had no identified risk factors.

More than 126,000 specimens have been collected with about 95 percent of them offering a negative result. The state has around 3,300 people under public health monitoring.

Learn More About 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.

  • 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