2,417 In New Hampshire Tested In 3 Weeks For Coronavirus: Data

CONCORD, NH — More than a third of the state's coronavirus cases live in Rockingham County, according to the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services. A number of hours after Gov. Chris Sununu held a press conference Monday, health officials released more specific data about the state of COVID-19 in New Hampshire — including that 23 new patients were confirmed with the virus in the last 24 hours. Currently, 101 people in the state are infected with the virus.

Of the 101, 11 patients are hospitalized.

The state also announced its first death due to the virus.

"The deceased was a male resident of Hillsborough County who was over 60 years old and had multiple underlying health issues," said Jake Leon, a public information officer with the department. "We express our sympathies to this person’s family and friends."

Of the 23 new cases, 12 were men and 11 were women. Ten of the new cases were located in Rockingham County bringing the total number to 38 in that county — the most in the state. Five new cases were reported in Grafton County — the location of the first positive case in the state. Two new patients were also announced in Nashua and one in Manchester.

"Four of the cases have no identified risk factors," Leon said. "The remaining new cases have either had travel to domestic or international locations or have had close contact with a person with a confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis. Community-based transmission has been identified in the majority of the counties in the state."

Testing began on March 2 and since that time, 2,417 residents have been tested, results from 869 tests are pending, and 900 people are under public monitoring — meaning that 1,446 people tested do not have the virus.

The state is ramping up testing and as it does, more positive cases are expected. State officials said it was critical all residents take steps to protect themselves and their communities.

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.

What You Can Do To Stop The Spread

COVID-19, not unlike the flu and other respiratory illnesses, is spread through respiratory droplets, usually through coughing and sneezing, and exposure to others who are sick or might be showing symptoms. 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.

• Guidance to schools can be found can be found here.
• Instructions for returning travelers to self-observe for symptoms of COVID-19 are available 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.

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