Concord Coronavirus: Donated Masks Make A Difference At Hospital

CONCORD, NH — Concord Hospital continues to test and screen patients at its drive-thru testing and screening locations on a daily basis. As of Thursday, the results of 1,055 people have been returned to the medical group with 56 yielding positive results. Of those cases, according to Jennifer Dearborn, a spokesperson for the hospital, four patients are currently hospitalized.

The system has ordered another 1,073 tests for future use. At the hospital's screening and testing site, 791 patients have been tested and screened. The screening tent is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

A hotline is available to answer questions between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. daily at 603-789-9123. The hotline has field 338 calls.

The hospital announced Thursday that 10,223 virtual visits have been performed by the medical group since it moved to telemedicine and remove visits.

Donated masks have also been making a big difference, Dearborn said.

"The donations of cloth masks are having a positive impact on preserving Concord Hospital’s Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) supply for front line workers," she said. "Since we started distributing cloth masks to patients, visitors, and staff, we’ve experienced a 50 percent reduction in our surgical mask burn rate."

Donations Still Needed

The hospital is still looking for donations including N95 masks, nonlatex gloves, cloth masks, elastic headbands with buttons for masks, surgical caps with ties and buttons near the ears, hand sanitizer, digital thermometers, unscented hand lotion, and hard candies and mints.

Donations can be made to the visitor's entrance of the hospital between 5:30 a.m. and 8 p.m.

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Thank Yous

The hospital has received a number of special donations and officials would like to give thanks to those who were so thoughtful to patients and staffers.

Exacom donated 30 restaurant gift cards to Concord Hospital's security staff recently.

"At times like this, it is important that we all come together to support each other, especially those who knowingly put themselves at risk," said Al Brisard, the owner of the company. "I trust that on the other side of this, everyone will have a greater appreciation for our healthcare workers, public safety employees, and all those deemed essential, who sacrificed for the rest of us. Everyone here at Exacom wishes we could do more."

Cole Gardens dropped of a bucket of blue carnations for hospital staff this week while Jeffrey Ginn sent roses.

Harbor Freight also donated more than $15,000 worth of N95 masks, shields, and gloves for staffers.

"As we’ve been following the news over the last few days, we've heard about the severe shortage of protective gear for hospitals, healthcare workers and first responders as the impact of COVID-19 is being felt across the country," said Eric Smidt, the company's CEO. "America depends on these heroes every day and in the days ahead we will depend on them even more. At Harbor Freight, we want them to know that they can depend on us too."

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Pantries Get 3.3 Tons Of Food

The Capital Region Food Program delivered 3.3 tons of nonperishable food to pantries in the capital region.

Organizations receiving the food included the Blueberry Express Day Care, Boscawen Congregational Church Food Pantry, Bow Human Services, Centerpoint Food Pantry, Chichester Food Pantry, Christ the King Food Pantry, Concord Human Services, Epsom Food Pantry, Friends of Forgotten Children, Gospel Light Food Pantry, Loudon Food Pantry, Merrimack Valley Daycare, Open Door Community Kitchen, Pittsfield Food Pantry, Salvation Army, St. Paul’s Church Food Pantry, Suncook Community Action Program (CAP), Warner Community Action Program (CAP), and West Congregational Church Food Pantry.

The food included canned fruit and vegetables, peanut butter, breakfast cereal, pasta, and soups. To make a donation or help out, visit the org's website.

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