Coronavirus In New Hampshire: 15 More Die In A Week

CONCORD, NH — State health officials reported last week that another 15 Granite Staters have died due to or related to the COVID-19.

Four of the deaths were 80 years of age or older while three were between 70 and 79, four were 60- to 69-years-old, three were in the 50 to 59 age bracket, and one was between 40 and 49. Two were men from Belknap County, two were women from Cheshire County, three were women and another was a man from Hillsborough County, one was a woman and one was a man from Merrimack County, two were women and one man from Rockingham County, and two were men in Sullivan County.

There have been 1,441 deaths in New Hampshire or 1.3 percent of all cases and less than 0.11 percent of all residents.

During the past week, nearly 2,398 positive coronavirus test results were reported. The state said 618 were residents 19-years-old or younger. Thirty-seven were health care workers while 58 lived in long-term care settings.

As of Friday, there were 3,144 active coronavirus cases, 149 hospitalizations, and 111,111 accumulative cases in New Hampshire. Nearly 2.75 million tests have been administered with 63.7 percent of residents being tested at least once.

There are 86 active cases connected to the K-12 school setting in New Hampshire. Cases in Patch communities include seven at the Memorial School in Bedford, four at the Matthew Thornton Elementary School in Londonderry, two at Concord High School, and one at World Academy in Nashua, Pennichuck Middle School in Nashua, Nashua High School South, Hampton Centre School, the Main Street School in Exeter, the Sunset Heights School in Nashua, and the Beaver Meadow Elementary School.

There are 20 cases at the University of New Hampshire in Durham, seven cases at Dartmouth College in Hanover, and one case each at Manchester Community College, MCPHS University in Manchester, and Plymouth State University.

The state also reported there were 12 active institutional-associated outbreaks including the Pleasant View Nursing Home in Concord, the Ridgewood Center in Bedford, the Rockingham County Nursing Home and Rehab in Brentwood, and Windham Terrace Assisted Living.

About 54.2 percent of all New Hampshire residents have been fully vaccinated while 59.2 percent have at least one dose. Of the more than 260,000 children who live in the state, more than 50,000 between 12 and 19 have been vaccinated — meaning that 15.5 percent of the state’s children do not have access to a vaccine since they are too young or their parents have chosen not to get their children vaccinated. About 8.5 percent of the state’s residents have been infected with the virus and could potentially have natural immunity, according to reports.

According to the state's data, nearly 63 percent to 68 percent of the state's residents have either been vaccinated or infected. Based on prior news reports, which have stated that 70 to 80 percent of a population being infected or vaccinated should lead to herd immunity, New Hampshire should be getting close.

The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services has not released any data for weeks about what number of the state’s active infections are breakthrough cases — people who have been vaccinated but became infected or died afterward. State officials have not had an in-person press conference for more than a month.

ALSO READ:

• Another 11 NH Residents Die Due To COVID-19: 7-Day Report
• New Hampshire's Deadliest Week For COVID-19 In Several Months
• Nashua Re-Institutes Mask Mandate At City Hall On Wednesday
• Distant Dome: Virtual Access Needed As COVID-19 Cases Surge In New Hampshire
• COVID-19 Breakthrough Infections: What You Need To Know

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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