Health Professionals Collecting Samples: NH Coronavirus Update

CONCORD, NH — A highly-trained team of health care professionals have formed a volunteer corps who will be helping the state collect samples and specimens from residents who may be at risk of catching the new coronavirus, according to the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services. The Metropolitan Medical Response System, made up of doctors, nurses, pharmacists, paramedics, EMTs, mental health professionals, and non-medical personnel who provide medical support during public health events, collected samples from three people in Lebanon Thursday as part of the effort. The system was deployed after Lori Shibinette, the commissioner of the department, declared a public health incident in the state Wednesday.

So far, 25 people in New Hampshire have been tested for COVID-19. Twenty of those tests have come back negative for the virus. Three tests are pending and two, that tested presumptive positive, are still waiting to be confirmed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Testing capacity in the state will expand next week after Quest Diagnostics announced that it had launched a new COVID-19 test service. The test, according to the company, with aid "the presumptive detection of nucleic acid in respiratory specimens of patients meeting the CDC's clinical criteria for COVID-19 testing." The tests will be available for patients through their health care providers.

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"In times of national health crises, quality laboratory testing is absolutely critical to mobilizing effective public health response," Steve Rusckowski, the chairman, CEO and president of Quest Diagnostics said. "We applaud the FDA for providing the flexibility for innovative, quality lab developed tests to be brought to patients and providers quickly to advance effective response to the coronavirus outbreak."

President Donald Trump also signed the $8.3 billion coronavirus funding legislation meaning the state will receive around $5 million soon to help offset the cost of officials fighting the spread of the virus. The state expects to receive allowable uses guidance for the funds and that information will be shared with local and regional officials, according to the state.

What Is COVID-19?

COVID-19 is caused by a member of the coronavirus family that's a close cousin to the SARS and MERS viruses that have caused outbreaks in the past.

Like all respiratory illnesses, it is spread through respiratory droplets.

State officials reminded residents to take "the same precautions as those recommended to prevent the spread of" the flu and common colds. If you're sick, stay a home and avoid public places, cover your mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing, wash hands frequently, with soap, for at least 20 seconds, stay away from people who are sick, don't share drinks, smoking or vaping devices, or other utensils or objects that may transmit saliva, and 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.

For more news about the coronavirus from around the United States, visit the Across America Patch COV-19 Roundup site.

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