Concord Coronavirus: Hospital Reports Patients Are Recovering

CONCORD, NH — Concord Hospital has tested 47 people for the new coronavirus in the past 48 hours at its two screening-testing sites. Of those patients, 25 were further evaluated by a health care provider. As of Wednesday, the hospital has received results for 173 patients — including four COVID-19 positives, according to Jennifer Dearborn, the director of public affairs for the hospital.

"Of the four positive results, one patient is currently hospitalized at Concord Hospital and three are recovering at home," she said.

The hospital has ordered nearly 400 tests for other patients. The facilities department has been working to convert regular patient rooms into "negative pressure isolation rooms" for coronavirus patients.

"Negative pressure isolation rooms are used to contain airborne contaminants within a room and prevent the contaminants from drifting to other areas of the hospital," Dearborn said. "Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the hospital had 21 negative pressure isolation rooms. Today, the hospital has 75 such rooms."

Earlier this month, the hospital moved all of its group practices to telemedicine phone visits. Since Tuesday, 1,376 telephone visits have been performed with more than 1,300 scheduled, she said.

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The hospital is also "urgently requesting" new N95 masks, hand sanitizer, half-face respirators rated P95 or above, new digital thermometers, non-latex gloves (any size) and pop-up tents (12 feet x 16 feet or 20 feet x 30 feet).

Donations can be delivered to the visitor entrance on the hospital campus daily from 5:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.

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.

Don't miss updates about coronavirus precautions and information in New Hampshire as they are announced. Sign up for Patch news alerts and newsletters.

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.

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.

ALSO READ:

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• NH Governor Calls For Volunteers To Help With Coronavirus
• Nashua High South Set Up With Medical Equipment
• Salem Liquor Company Begins Manufacturing Lemon Hand Sanitizer
• 2,417 In New Hampshire Tested In 3 Weeks For Coronavirus: Data
• Concord Navy Reservist Nurse Called Up Due To Coronavirus: Watch

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