Concord Code Division Employee Contracts COVID-19

CONCORD, NH — A city employee has contracted the new coronavirus and is in self-isolation, according to city officials.

The city of Concord was notified Friday that an employee in the Code Division had contracted COVID-19.

"The employee is an inspector and has limited interaction with the public except during inspections," said Stefanie Breton, the public information officer for the city. "The employee was wearing a face mask during all inspections. NH DHHS will be contacting customers with whom the employee had close interactions during inspections."

It is unknown how many inspections the employee had performed recently.

Breton said concerned customers should contact the state health department at 603-271-4496 for further guidance.

The Code Division will be closed for professional sanitization this weekend, she said.

Customers interacting with the department are being requested to use the division's website for permitting and other processes.

Other employees who had close contact with the infected party have been quarantined for 14 days, per state and federal health guidelines, in an effort to ensure employees and residents are kept safe.

It is unknown at post time how many employees are being quarantined.

Concord is not alone in dealing with city employees who have contracted the virus.

Nashua Mayor Jim Donchess contracted the virus earlier this month and during the last 10 days, five other employees contracted the virus. Nashua City Hall is closed until Oct. 5.

The city of Nashua has had a mandatory mask mandate in place since late May.

About three weeks ago, the city of Concord approved its own mask mandate by a vote of 14-1.

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 confirmed or suspected case of COVID-19 needs to stay home and not go out into 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.

• 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.
• 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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