2 New Coronavirus Presumptive Positives Reported In New Hampshire

CONCORD, NH — Two more patients in New Hampshire have tested presumptive positive for the new coronavirus. The patients, both men, were tested Sunday at the state's Public Health Laboratories. The men are isolated in their homes and being monitored by health officials.

"These new cases broaden our investigation and our public health team is working to try and prevent further community transmission," State Epidemiologist Dr. Benjamin Chan said. "It is important for anybody in our communities who may have fever or other respiratory symptoms to practice social distancing and stay home when ill. We continue to work with hospitals and community organizations to respond to this challenging global COVID-19 outbreak."

State officials have begun investigating and notifying individuals who may have been in contact with the men due to them having contracted the virus in two separate ways, according to officials.

One contracted COVID-19 from one of the two patients already diagnosed as presumptive positive while attending a morning service at the Hope Bible Fellowship on Seminary Hill in West Lebanon on March 1.

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Hope Bible Fellowship has canceled services Sunday and is working with the division of public health to contact all parishioners who attended the coffee social at 9 a.m. and services at 10 a.m. on March 1 urging them to stay home, avoid contact with anyone until March 15, and to self-monitor themselves for symptoms.

Any parishioners who develop a fever or respiratory issues should stay home, distance themselves from household members, and contact the Bureau of Infectious Disease Control at 603-271-4496. After-hours, the bureau can be reached at 603-271-5300.

The second man, a Rockingham County resident, had previously been in Italy and came down with COVID-19 symptoms. State officials have opened an investigation into this case and are attempting to notify all individuals he may have been in close contact with since his return from Italy.

Samples from both men have been sent to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for confirmation.

The state has yet to officially determine if two other cases of coronavirus have been confirmed by the CDC which is why they are designated as presumptive positive.

What Is COVID-19?

COVID-19 is caused by a member of the coronavirus family that's a close cousin to the SARS and MERS viruses that have caused outbreaks in the past. Like all respiratory illnesses, it is spread through respiratory droplets. State officials reminded residents to take "the same precautions as those recommended to prevent the spread of" the flu and common colds. If you're sick, stay a home and avoid public places, cover your mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing, wash hands frequently, with soap, for at least 20 seconds, stay away from people who are sick, don't share drinks, smoking or vaping devices, or other utensils or objects that may transmit saliva, and 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.

For more news about the coronavirus from around the United States, visit the Across America Patch COV-19 Roundup site.

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