NH Coronavirus: 308 Still Infected; Salem, Nashua Are Hot Spots

CONCORD, NH — The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services has expanded its reporting data for the first time during more than two and half months of tracking the new coronavirus by reporting patients who have recovered from the virus. According to the state, 56 patients, around 15 percent, of the 367 infected with COVID-19, have recovered from the virus. The state Tuesday also announced 53 new positive cases.

Of the new positive cases, 31 were women, 21 were men, and one was a boy. The boy is the fourth child in the state to contract the virus.

The bulk of the newly infected — 21 — live in Rockingham County. The increases in that county officially pushed the town of Salem into the 20+ category of infected patients. Both Manchester and Nashua, the other two communities in the state with more than 20 positive patients, added five patients more each Tuesday.

Four of the new cates were hospitalized for their illness, Jake Leon, a public information officer for the department. Nearly 50 of the 367 positive cases were hospitalized, about 13 percent.

"Twenty-four of the new cases have no identified risk factors," Leon said. "Community-based transmission continues to increase in the state and has been identified in all counties with cases. Most of the remaining cases have either had travel to domestic or international locations or have had close contact with a person with a confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis."

The state announced that 5,663 people have tested negative for the virus by the NH Public Health Laboratories, LabCorp, Quest, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, and those sent to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention prior to the state's testing capacity. Around 3,293 of tests were specimens submitted to the state labs. Right now, around 97 tests are pending.

Officials said 1,250 people in New Hampshire are under public health monitoring.

Coos County remains the only county in the state without a patient.

NH's Economy: 5th Most Exposed To Coronavirus

A new study shows that despite having a pretty good economy before the outbreak of the new coronavirus, New Hampshire's economy is the 5th most exposed and not as well positioned as other states to turn things around.

WalletHub.com looked at all 50 states and the District of Columbia and used 10 metrics to complete its rankings. Some of those metrics include the number of residents employed by small businesses (17th), what companies offer for paid sick leave, and increase in the state's unemployment insurance claims (4th). Other metrics included "high-risk" industries as a share of the total gross domestic product of the state (7th in the nation) including educational services, the creative economy, retail, and real estate. The state's fiscal condition index was rated 30th in the nation or below average.

Maine came in 4th on the list with Rhode Island coming in 2nd.

The study follows one released last week highlighting the state's aggressive tactics fighting the new coronavirus.

Read the full State Economies Most Exposed to Coronavirus study here.

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Liquor Store Employees Get Wage Increase

On Tuesday, Gov. Chris Sununu used the state's emergency order process to issue a temporary 10 percent pay increase to retail store managers, store clerks, and laborers working for the New Hampshire Liquor and Wine Outlets.

The order was issued due to the "heightened risk of exposure" of the new coronavirus to "a degree not inherent to the performance of other state services."

Hours for stores have also changed to 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Sunday hours have been modified at each store.

Due to staffing limitations, the following liquor stores have been closed temporarily: Hinsdale; Jaffrey; Lincoln; Manchester-Boston Regional Airport; Milford; Stratham; Swanzey; Walpole; Winchester; and Wolfeboro. A list of alternative locations that are open can be found here.

Child Care Providers Can Receive Emergency Designation

The state is also accepting applications from child care providers seeking designation as an emergency care provider during the pandemic.

In partnership with the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation and child care stakeholders, the department has set up $4 million in federal funding for the Emergency Child Care Collaborative. The collaborative "will ensure a robust and effective system of emergency child care for New Hampshire parents providing essential services during COVID-19," according to officials.

Incentive payments can be applied for to fund support pay differentials for staffers, child care costs for child care professionals, and other costs.

For questions about the program, email ECCP@dhhs.gov.

Nurses Anesthetists Ready To Shift Roles

Rachel Ritter, the president of the board of directors of the New Hampshire Association of Nurse Anesthetists, said nurses on the frontlines remain ready to shift their roles from operating room nurses to support the fight against the virus.

In a column circulated to media outlets Tuesday, Ritter said the expertise nurses offer was "invaluable in a myriad of ways" for the fight.

"Our rapid assessment skills make us a valuable adjunct to an emergency department team," Ritter said. "We will assist the nurses, physicians, and hospital supervisor with both triage and treatment. CRNAs can establish vascular access and place intravenous or intraarterial lines at critical moments. As experts in managing airways, we can lead emergency airway teams or provide assistance with ventilatory management."

Read the full column in the Portsmouth Herald.

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Credit Union Org: We Have Plans

The Cooperative Credit Union Association announced Tuesday that New Hampshire credit unions are creating new financial initiatives to assist its 735,000 members manage the financial aspect of the coronavirus.

The 14 credit unions have low-interest loans available of up to 12- to 24-months; 60- to 90-deferments plans on current loans; refinancing options on mortgages; waived fees on early withdrawals on certificates; and other plans.

"New Hampshire's credit unions serve as the financial first responders for consumers and businesses in a crisis such as COVID-19," said Ronald McLean, the president and CEO of the Cooperative Credit Union Association. "They are stepping up to meet all their members’ needs, providing hardship loans, deferring loan payments, waiving fees and offering much needed financial counseling. Extraordinary times call for extraordinary service which is what New Hampshire credit unions provide each and every day."

Visit the Cooperative Credit Union Association's website for more information.

Anthem, ConvenientMD Open Testing Site At Pease

ConvenientMD and Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in New Hampshire are opening up a testing site for COVID-19 patients at the Pease International Tradeport.

Similar to other testing sites across the state, before being tested, patients will be evaluated remotely by a health care provider. After determination of eligibility, they will be referred to a testing site.

ConvenientMD is using Anthem's financial support to provide testing on a much larger scale as the virus continues to spread.

"We continue to take proactive steps to ensure the safety of our patients, employees, and the medical community during this time," said Dr. Mark Pundt, the president and Chief Medical Officer of ConvenientMD. "With Anthem's help and in a coordinated effort with the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services, we're expanding outpatient COVID-19 testing at the Pease location for patients who may be experiencing signs and symptoms of COVID-19 with the mission of reducing the spread of this virus as much as possible."

Lisa Guertin, president of Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in New Hampshire, said increasing patient access to testing and identifying those patients will help prevent the spread of the virus.

"Through our mission of improving lives and communities, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield is committed to supporting our care delivery partners in their efforts to keep our communities safe during this public health crisis," she said. "We are proud to partner with ConvenientMD in taking a leadership role to support the health and safety of the people of New Hampshire."

Anyone in New Hampshire can now call 603-570-2800 to schedule a face-to-face virtual urgent care visit with a ConvenientMD provider, who will evaluate and refer them for COVID-19 testing, if indicated.

BJ's Raises Wages, Too

BJ's Wholesale Club also announced that it would be increasing wages and bonuses for all frontline team members in the state.

Employees will be paid $2 more an hour through next month; bonuses will range from $500 to $1,000. The company's relief fund is also available to employees facing hardship and impact from the outbreak.

The company's foundation was also donating $500,000 to support local and national orgs providing essential services during the coronavirus fight.

"Now, more than ever, we’re committed to supporting our team members and members while providing essential services to our communities during these challenging times," said Lee Delaney, the president and Chief Executive Officer of BJ’s Wholesale Club. "We are grateful to be a reliable resource for our members and we couldn’t do it without the continued dedication of our team members. We’re proud of their hard work and are pleased to recognize them with increased pay and bonuses."

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:

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• Concord Coronavirus: Steeplegate Mall Closes Until Further Notice
• Concord Coronavirus: 9 Firefighters Quarantined After Exposure
• NH Coronavirus: 314 Now Infected; Many Clustered In Cities

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