NH Coronavirus Update: 11 More Deaths Related To COVID-19

CONCORD, NH — State health officials announced another 11 deaths connected to the COVID-19 pandemic in New Hampshire.

The fatalities, now at 908 in the state or about 2 percent of all infections, included a woman from Belknap County, a man from Coos County, two women and three men from Hillsborough County, a man from Merrimack County, a man from Rockingham County, a woman from Strafford County, and a man from Sullivan County. Seven were connected to long-term care settings while eight were 80 years of age or older and three were between 60 and 69.

Another 794 new positive test results for coronavirus were also reported, mostly found by polymerase chain reaction tests, for a PCR positivity rate of 5.2 percent. The seven-day test positivity rate is 7.3 percent. About 6,500 people are currently infected, 55,500 have tested positive since March, and more than 48,000 have recovered — about 87 percent of all cases.

Of the new infections, 105 were children and there were slightly more females than males in the tests. They were collected from specimens taken on Jan. 5, 128, another 154 taken Wednesday, and 512 from Thursday, according to the state. Most of the new positive test results live in Hillsborough County outside of Nashua (224) while 179 live in Rockingham County, 69 reside in Nashua, and 48 live in Merrimack County.

The state still has 288 currently infected without residency information and another 1,051 where state health officials do not have residency information for the cases. About 255 are hospitalized.

The state's K-12 schools have 42 cases connected to the school setting including active cases at Bedford High School, Portsmouth High School, Rundlett Middle School and Christa McAuliffe School in Concord, Reeds Ferry School and Merrimack High School in Merrimack, and Salem High School and North Salem Elementary School.

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Mask Mandate, Travel Guidance Extended

Gov. Chris Sununu extended New Hampshire's mask mandate until March 26, according to an extension of an emergency order.

"With high case rates, hospitalizations, and fatalities, our health care system is still under an immense amount of pressure," he said. "To loosen or eliminate the tools we have utilized with success so far is the wrong approach to fighting this pandemic. The light at the end of the tunnel is within sight — but we must remain vigilant and we cannot let up now."

Sununu also extended the state's emergency travel order guidance through late March. That travel guidance was revised on Jan. 11.

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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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