COVID-19 Patient Seen ‘Safely’ At Elliot Hospital ER

This story was originally published by InDepth NH.

By Paula Tracy and Nancy West, InDepthNH.org

MANCHESTER, NH — The fourth man to test presumptive positive for COVID-19 in New Hampshire is from Rockingham County, but provided his specimen at the Elliot Hospital emergency room in Manchester, entering through the back door and doing all the right things to protect others, officials said. Martha Leighton, chief of nursing at Elliot Hospital, which is in Hillsborough County, said the man who was experiencing symptoms called his doctor first who notified the state Department of Public Health and notified the hospital to prepare for him on Friday.

The man’s condition was assessed first by phone. He wore a protective mask and the staff wore appropriate protective gear.

Staff members met him at his car late Friday afternoon, escorted him in the back way to the emergency room, Leighton said. The man had no contact with any other patients, she said, and was escorted back to his car. He was found to be presumptive positive on Saturday and is self-isolating at home.

"It’s vitally important for people to call their doctor first and not show up at an emergency room or waiting room so we can prepare the staff and everyone else and keep everyone safe," Leighton said.

Newmarket schools were closed Monday as a precautionary measure after a member of the staff was advised by the Centers for Disease Control to self-quarantine after traveling on a bus with an individual who tested positive for COVID-19. The staffer who was allegedly exposed was not symptomatic and joins about 150 individuals in the state who are self-monitoring for symptoms, state officials said.

With the number of presumptive cases of COVID-19 doubling in the state over the weekend – from two to four- state health officials were actively investigating and reaching out to people who may have been exposed.

Three are in Grafton County and one in Rockingham County.

Jake Leon, director of communications for the state Department of Health and Human Services, said the department is currently working with the state Department of Education to assess risk levels at schools, mindful of a balance that needs to be struck between "continuity" of education and risk levels due to the virus.

If risk levels are low, the schools should remain open, he said.

He urged those who are concerned they might have the virus to call 603-271-4496 any time 24-hours a day rather than showing up unannounced at an emergency room or medical care provider’s offices.

The idea, he said, is to call and have an over-the-phone assessment made before potentially spreading the virus in the public and allowing that facility to prepare before arriving there.

Schools will be closed today in Hollis-Brookline due to an employee being tested for coronavirus.

This story was originally published by InDepth NH.