Coronavirus in NH: 4th Patient Dies, 415 Cases With More Likely

CONCORD, NH — New Hampshire announced Wednesday a total of four state residents have died of the coronavirus, and 415 cases have been confirmed. That's just over 50 more cases than the state reported Tuesday, but experts say to expect that numbers to keep growing as they learn more about the outbreak.

Of the 415 diagnosed patients 59, or about 15 percent, have been hospitalized by the illness.

Meanwhile health officials confirm they are investigating several other deaths that may have been due to the coronavirus as well, and are warning residents not to get complacent. They say it's still likely many cases of the virus have not been tested or confirmed. Speaking at the Governor's conference Wednesday afternoon, State Epidemiologist Dr. Benjamin Chan said the state believes the virus is present in most, if not all, of the communities across the state, even if cases haven't been officially confirmed in some areas.

Officials say, Granite State residents should expect this pandemic response to continue for weeks or even months. Until then, they're urging everyone to practice good hygiene and safe social distancing. The coronavirus can survive on surfaces for some time; health experts say to wash your hands frequently and avoid touching your face to keep the virus from entering your system. Social distancing means keeping a roughly six foot perimeter between yourself and others.

Keeping victims safe amid the pandemic

New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu says the Stay-At-Home order means the state must do even more to prevent household violence, now that victims have even fewer places to escape.

Tuesday the governor announced two new orders to protect both the victims of domestic violence and child abuse. The first gives $600,000 in funding for domestic and violence crisis centers. The governor says that money will help pay for victim's supplies and hotel stays if they need to flee their homes.

The second order gives $2 million to help support vulnerable children or victims of child abuse. The money will be used to hire part-time specialists as full time employees, hire new drug and alcohol counselors, and set up a new hotline for victims.

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month, and the Office of the Child Advocate says this month they need every New Hampshire resident to be especially vigilant. Already, the Division for Children Youth and Families says they've seen the number of referrals and reports of abuse drop in half, and they're asking everyone to know the signs of abuse.

Giving back to health care providers

Shortages of face masks, shields and other protective equipment are making headlines nationwide as the county grapples with the coronavirus pandemic. Now, some businesses are adapting to help out. Joining them in their efforts is Alene Candles, a Milford-based business.

Alene Candles has announced that their Milford production facility has been transitioned to make face shields. Face shields are in short supply and can help protect doctors, nurses and other health care workers from the virus' spread as they treat patients.

Alene says they've been donated the plastic needed make at least 10,000 of the shields, and they're hoping another donor will come forward, allowing them to make even more.

Don't create clogs

Parts of the state has seen shortages of toilet paper as people stock up. Now, as some look for alternatives to toilet paper, the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services is reminding everyone only to flush toilet paper and human waste down the toilet.

The department says they've seen rags, wipes, paper towels, even t-shirts and bedsheets flushed down the toilet, and unlike toilet paper those thing can lead to serious clogs and damages to the septic and sewer system. Instead, they urge residents who don't have toilet paper to put whatever they used in a bag, and throw it out in the trash. It may not be ideal, but they say the alternative is just too costly.

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.