Concord Coronavirus: Hospital Tests 469; 578 More Tests Ordered

CONCORD, NH — During the last two weeks, nearly 500 people in Concord and the capital region have been tested for the new coronavirus — with 16 patients testing positive, according to Concord Hospital. Of the 16 positives, two are hospitalized while the others are recovering at home. The hospital has ordered nearly 578 more tests to handle more cases.

Jennifer Dearborn, the public information director for the hospital, said it has established a COVID-19 screening and education hotline for the public: 603-789-9123. It will be staffed daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

"COVID-19 screening is now available In Parking Lot E on the Concord Hospital campus for any community member who is experiencing a fever or non-critical respiratory symptoms, such as a cough or shortness of breath," Dearborn said. "People should drive directly to the large tent in the Visitor Entrance parking lot. They will be triaged and advised if: they should go home and self-isolate; proceed to the Emergency Department; or be evaluated in person with or without testing for COVID-19 at one of our dedicated Concord Hospital Medical Group practice locations."

Staffers are now required to wear masks throughout their time in the hospital in an effort to better protect patients and staffers, Dearborn said.

Doctors and nurses working in the Concord Hospital Medical Group suspended regular office visits during the past two weeks and are conducting telemedicine-remote visits. Since this change, nearly 3,900 telehealth or video-health visits have been provided by staffers. Rehabilitation Services at the hospital began tele-health visits on March 27 and have provided 106 tele-health visits.

Donations are still needed. The wish list includes N95 masks, handsewn masks, hand sanitizer, new digital thermometers, nonlatex gloves, brown paper lunch bags, half-face respirators, and screening tests. Contributions will be accepted from 5:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the visitor entrance.

Recent donations include personal care products from Scrub-iT LLC; gift baskets from Deborah Sargent of Epsom; 15 cases of small non-latex gloves from Foxy Nails; and 100 N95 masks from the Nobis Group.

Concord Hospital chaplain, the Rev. Kate Morse, has earned a new nickname, according to Dearborn, after the donation by Concord Girl Scout Troop 20507. Kate, now referred to as "The Cookie Lady," delivered 168 boxes donated by the scouts to staffers.

"Staff members were delighted at seeing the cookies and gratified by the support the Hospital and its staff are receiving from the community," Dearborn said.

Morse added, "What a boost to morale! And all that from a box of cookies."

Help Stop The Spread Of COVID-19

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.

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:

• Concord Coronavirus: 9 Firefighters Quarantined After Exposure
• Concord Coronavirus: Steeplegate Mall Closes Until Further Notice
• Coronavirus Forces Concord School District To Scale-Back Budget
• NH Coronavirus: 314 Now Infected; Many Clustered In Cities
• NH Governor: Unemployment Funds Up; Standardized Tests Dropped

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