Governor: No Outbreaks Of Coronavirus After ReopenNH Protests

CONCORD, NH — On the minds of a lot of people in New Hampshire is whether thousands of protesters holding marches and vigils supporting Black Lives Matter and mourning the death of George Floyd of Minneapolis in May will get sick with the new coronavirus after attending events.

It is too soon to say, at this point, since the first rally was held a week ago in Manchester and the incubation period of tracking infections is done in two-week intervals. However, if the lack of outbreaks from the hundreds of attendees to two ReopenNH events in Concord is any indication, the anti-racism protesters have nothing to worry about.

Back in April and May, as reopening rallies were being held across the country, protesting the economic shutdowns, they were beginning to happen in New Hampshire, too. The first one was held at the Statehouse in Concord on April 18. A second one, focused mostly on religion and churches, was held on May 2, again at the Statehouse in Concord.

At both rallies, attendees, many, actually, did not wear masks. Health officials do not advise wearing masks outside but do if a person cannot maintain social distancing — something that was not maintained at either event.

The period for both events is between a little more than a month and almost two months ago, at this point. Any outbreak, infection cluster association, contact tracing, or any other information about COVID-19 spreading at either of those rallies would be known by now.

At Tuesday's news conference, health officials and Gov. Chris Sununu were asked if there was any information to show an outbreak, cluster association, or any contact tracing information from either event.

"No," Sununu said simply.

Despite warnings of not gathering with 10 or more people, social distancing of 6 feet not being adhered to, and countless numbers of people not wearing masks at both events, there were no outbreaks of COVID-19 from either event, according to the state.

So, there is a good chance that Black Lives Matter protesters, many who were wearing masks at their events, will not get sick. Time will tell.

News Conference Shift

Sununu said Tuesday he was mixing it up a bit by holding the news conferences this week on Tuesday and Thursday instead of Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.

Prior news conferences have lasted more than an hour and a few media employees have commented during the past three months that Friday news conferences are the most difficult, since so many journalists are working on deadlines for weekend content or stories for Sunday editions that need to be filed early.

"I think (switching it up) keeps the press on their toes, I suppose," Sununu said.

At the 99-day mark since the first COVID-19 infection in the state, there were not a lot of updates — but many are coming as the state considers more reopening guidelines and the end of Stay-At-Home 2.0, with restrictions.

Sununu also encouraged residents to access a test. He took his first test on Sunday, making his appointment by phone with Rite Aid. It took about 2 minutes to drive up, take the test, and leave.

"It was shockingly easy — and even easier than I imagined," the governor said.

The Main Street Relief Fund emails have gone out to businesses and the deadline is Friday. Checks should be cut next week, Sununu said.

While looking at the last 100 days, Sununu said he was really impressed with all of the success stories considering what could have happened — and the disastrous outcomes in other states.

The governor also said while New Hampshire was not Minneapolis, the state could play a role in fighting racism and being more inclusive while also allowing those seeking justice to find it.

Sununu also joked that the murder hornets have not arrived to the Granite State yet so that was more good news.

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Health Updates: More Deaths

State Epidemiologist Dr. Benjamin Chan said there were more than 7 million cases of COVID-19 globally including just shy of 2 million in the United States.

The state was also reporting 53 new coronavirus cases, four new hospitalizations, and eight additional deaths. Chan said six of the new deaths were connected to long-term care facilities in New Hampshire.

"Overall," Chan said, "when we look at the course of the pandemic in New Hampshire, we continue to be at about 80 percent of the COVID-19 related deaths, that have occurred, are residents of long-term care facilities."

More than 88,000 people have been tested with an average of around 1,800 tests per day.

Chan pointed to a news conference last week, with a PowerPoint presentation by the governor, and said data "continues to show an improving trend" with hospitalizations, positive case diagnosis, and the percentage of tests that are positive, "continuing to slowly decline." He added there was a decrease in community transmission and it was important for everyone to take precautions to prevent a resurgent of infections. Chan said following social distancing recommendations, wearing cloth coverings in public places, and testing in long-term care facilities would continue to be the state's strategy for preventing more infections.

Lori Shibinette, the commissioner of the New Hampshire Health and Human Services Department, said four long-term care facilities, All American Assisted Living of Londonderry, Aurora Assisted Living of Derry, Bedford Falls, and Community Bridges of Belmont, have been removed from the outbreak list, having gone more than 14-days without a new positive case.

Shibinette said the department was working with the facilities via a working group to make potential visiting situations outdoors at long-term care and nursing homes by appointment where there are no outbreaks.

"We will really be drilling down and developing that guidance later this week and early next week," she said.

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Questions And Answers

Sununu was asked about the first responder stipend fund, which was being drained, and wondered if it would be replenished. He said, "Not at this time," but maybe in the future, if it is needed. The governor said there might be more money for hospitals and health care facilities to fill in some of the gaps with the federal government funds.

On the CARES Act funds, he said he was expecting a second surge in the fall and state officials were working to minimize the impact to the state.

On the Main Street fund, Sununu was asked if they were truly going out to small businesses. He said he did not have the information in front of him. However, the vast majority businesses, 65 to 70 percent, were on the lower end. "It's right where we want it," Sununu said.

While Stay-At-Home 2.0 was being loosened, Sununu said the emergency orders would stay in place adding there was too much volatility right now with the pandemic. There also needed to be flexibility with education and other systematic challenges. It will continue for some time, he said.

Chan was asked about the World Health Organization saying that asymptomatic infections were rare and he challenged the assertion. There is asymptomatic transmission in New Hampshire, he said, countering the report.

He was also asked about reopening causing any increase in community transmission and Chan said, "No," the numbers did not show it; the state was not increasing. But it was expected and might be happening amongst people who are immune to the virus.

Chan also requested anyone who is contacted by the state health department to please answer the calls and allow for contact tracing to occur.

Sununu was asked about whether or not he supported defunding police, a major policy position of Black Lives Matter supporters. He said, No.

Tuesday's news conference was also the first to be less than an hour in a bit.

Learn More About 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.
• 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.
• To access the state's COVID-19 data dashboard, click on this link here.

ALSO READ:

• 37 New Positive Coronavirus Cases In New Hampshire: Data
• Two-Thirds Of NH's Coronavirus Cases Have Recovered: Data Update
• Accumulative Coronavirus Cases Surpass 5,000 In New Hampshire
• 5 More Deaths; 80 More Positive Patients: NH Coronavirus Data
• Stay-At-Home 2.0 Order Slated To End In New Hampshire Soon

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