NH up to 13 coronavirus cases, all schools going to remote learning
The number of cases of the new coronavirus in New Hampshire has nearly doubled to 13 and dozens more tests are pending, state officials said Sunday.
Republican Gov. Chris Sununu also directed all public schools to close buildings through April 3 while moving to remote learning.
Sununu and other officials said all of the new cases are believed to be travel related. They said none of the infected people are hospitalized. All of them are at home with more mild illnesses, said state epidemiologist Benjamin Chan.
However, the state isn't taking the uptick in cases lightly, and is transitioning all schools in the state to remote learning immediately, Sununu said. He said the order will remain in place through April 3.
"We are taking unprecedented action as a state to help manage this evolving public health situation," Sununu said.
New Hampshire's total number of presumptive positive test results of the new coronavirus had risen to seven because of a case involving a woman who was at a Division of Motor Vehicles office in Manchester, public health authorities in the state said during a previous update late Friday.
The state has 90 to 100 tests pending in public health laboratories, officials said Sunday.
Sununu also said over the next two days he would issue directives to make sure parents who need to miss work to care for children would be able to access state unemployment benefits. He also said the state would expand access to childcare. That means providing more flexibility in licensing for day care facilities to allow businesses to provide temporary care, he said.
Statewide school closures
Sununu said every school district is to "begin providing temporary remote instruction and support to all students" no later than March 23.
More schools in the state had already announced at least temporary closures prior to Sununu's announcement they all must close effective Monday, March 16.
On Sunday, the Portsmouth School District joined the list of schools that would close, becoming the final seacoast district. Exeter, Hampton, Rye and Greenland had previously announced they would close.
Districts said they would work with families and students on remote learning plans.
Across the border, Kittery and York school districts announced they will close schools.
Legislature shuts down for week
The New Hampshire Legislature has suspended all legislative activities until at least March 20 to help curtail the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.
State officials said late Saturday the State House will be closed to legislative members, staff and visitors. However, it will remain open for governmental operations until further notice, officials said.
New Hampshire Senate President Donna Soucy and Speaker of the House Steve Shurtleff, who are both Democrats, said in a joint statement that move is about "protecting the health and wellbeing of our members, staff and the public."
COAST to maintain schedule
The COAST public transit system has no plans to cancel or suspend service, COAST announced in a statement Sunday. They will be running on a normal schedule.
“We have increased the frequency and thoroughness of sanitizing and disinfecting our vehicles,” COAST said in the statement.
COAST said it is strongly encouraging the practice of maintaining safe social distances in the vehicle and at the facilities.
Any changes or cancellations of COAST services will be announced on social media, DoubleMap app, their website or through media.
On the Seacoast
Portsmouth Public Library will be closed beginning Monday, March 16. Library patrons are asked to not return items to the drop box until after the library reopens. See details at cityofportsmouth.com/library.
Portsmouth city services and city hall will remain open. Residents are asked to limit non-essential visits and to use online capabilities at cityofportsmouth.com. Monday’s city council meeting will be live-streamed.
Gary Hildreth Deputy Public Affairs Officer for the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard said shipyard leadership received direction from the Department of Defense restricting domestic travel, including temporary duty and permanent change of station, for military personnel and their families. He said military personnel currently on travel are not affected.
In light of the coronavirus, COVID-19, as a prevention measure, Waypoint is changing its March 20 SleepOut, a homeless awareness event, from community gatherings in downtown Manchester and Exeter, to a home-based virtual event conducted online.
Instead of gathering at the designated sleep sites, participants in the SleepOut are being asked to stay at home on March 20, and sleep on the floor or in the yard or in some other less than comfortable way, while continuing to conduct their online fundraising campaigns. Photos from the sleepers' solo efforts will be shared on Waypoint's social channels as a way to continue raising community consciousness about youth homelessness in New Hampshire.
Maine court postponements, exceptions
According to a statement released by the Maine Judicial Branch, effective immediately and continuing through May 1, all in-person court events for family, civil and criminal dockets are postponed with the following exceptions:
Arraignments and first appearances of defendants held in custody; motions for review of bail; juvenile detention hearings; protection from abuse requests and hearings; protection from harassment requests and hearings; child protection petitions and hearings; mental health requests and hearings; hearing granted on motion.
No criminal or civil jury trials will be heard in Maine state courts until after May 1, unless otherwise ordered by the court. No grand jury proceedings will be held and all previously-scheduled cases are postponed. Any trials in progress may be completed.
About the virus
For most people, the coronavirus, which causes the disease COVID-19, results in only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, or death.
The vast majority of people recover. People with mild illness recover in about two weeks, while those with more severe illness may take three to six weeks to recover, according to the World Health Organization.
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