425 Being Monitored; 212 Test Negative For Coronavirus In NH

CONCORD, NH — In less than 24 hours, the number of residents in New Hampshire under public health monitoring for the new coronavirus has increased by more than 50 percent — with more expected, according to state officials. On Friday, 275 residents were under public monitoring, according to the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services. The state announced Saturday that 425 were being monitored.

Testing has also increased by 100 since Friday, according to the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services, to 250. Thirty-one tests are pending and 212 people have tested negative.

The decision to monitor is based on initial investigations by health officials to anyone and everyone who has had contact with presumed or confirmed positives — there are seven in the state, in Grafton and Rockingham counties, according to officials — and any residents deemed high risk. High risk residents would be those people who have traveled to Level 2 and Level 3 countries — China, Japan, Italy, Iran, and South Korea — in recent weeks and those who have been in contact with high risk individuals, according to health officials.

But the announcement of a seventh patient testing positive Friday, a woman, who spent a lot of time at the Willow Street branch of the New Hampshire Division of Motor Vehicles in Manchester, may change that. The woman lives in Rockingham County but spent time at the DMV between March 2 and March 5, as well March 10, when she self-isolated herself. State officials are working to identify people she may have had contact but it does not appear to have been a foreign traveler or in contact with one — making some suspect that community transmission may have begun in the state, something that has not occurred yet.

"Anyone in the Manchester DMV on those days and has developed symptoms should stay home, limit their contact with others, and immediately contact a healthcare provider," said Jake Leon, a public information officer with the health department. "If you are not experiencing symptoms, you should self-observe for symptoms and report any by calling a healthcare provider."

Another update from state officials is expected Sunday.

Statehouse Closed

Senate President Donna Soucy, D-Manchester, and Speaker Steve Shurtleff, D-Penacook, announced Saturday that the Legislature will suspend activities for a week.

The Statehouse will also be closed to members, legislative staffers, and visitors "until further notice" although essential government operations will remain open.

"As legislative leaders, our top priority is protecting the health and wellbeing of our members, staff, and the public," they said in a joint statement. "Out of an abundance of caution, today we are taking the step to suspend all legislative activities for at least one week. We will continue to monitor the situation and respond as needed and remain committed to working with Governor Sununu to take all necessary steps to curb the impact of coronavirus in New Hampshire."

It is unknown, at press time, if the Statehouse, which recently celebrated its bicentennial, has ever closed in the past, in this way, to the public.

One Rockingham County Patient Lives In Windham

While the state is not identifying geographical locations of residents with COVID-19 beyond the county, one police department has confirmed a patient in its town.

Windham police told residents on Facebook that one of the Rockingham County positives lives in town.

"Based on the information as we know it, there is no, nor has there been, any threat to the town or school community at large," police said. "Though we realize that this pandemic has many on edge, please be assured that this case did not directly involve a student or employee of the Windham School District, or any town employee or town official."

School Closures

A number of schools have been closed across the state a varying number of days, according to districts and reports online.

Amherst schools will be closed on March 16. Bedford schools will be closed from March 16 to March 20. Concord schools will decide whether to close next week Sunday; the Merrimack Valley School District will be closed Monday. Exeter and Hampton schools are closing for two weeks. Londonderry will be discussing whether to close school at its March 17 meeting. Merrimack schools will be closed between March 16 and March 20. Milford schools will be closed March 16. Nashua will close its schools between March 16 and March 20 — while serving students lunch through March 23. Portsmouth students will go to school on Monday and Tuesday but schools will close on Wednesday. Salem schools are remaining open at post time. Windham schools will also be closed for two weeks.

What You Can Do

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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