NH Coronavirus: 72 More Positive Cases; 4 New Children Infected

CONCORD, NH — The bulk of new coronavirus cases in New Hampshire continue to be centered in Hillsborough and Rockingham counties, according to the latest revised data released Monday by the State Joint Information Center.

Seventy-two new cases were announced Monday bringing the total to 2,588 in the state. Forty-five of the new cases live in Hillsborough County including 22 in Manchester and 10 in Nashua while 17 live in Rockingham County. Merrimack County reported five new cases. Seventy-nine percent of all cases in the state are in Hillsborough and Rockingham counties.

Information is still being gathered about some of the new cases but of those investigations that were completed, four of the new positive cases were children while 52 percent were men and 48 percent women.

"Additional information from ongoing investigations will be incorporated into future COVID-19 updates," the state said. "The county of residence is being determined for one new case."

Another 14 cases remain under investigation.

Dr. Benjamin Chan, the state epidemiologist, said data compiled during the weekend was incorrect and now, public health officials had revised the state's testing figures downward by around 3,000 tests. On Sunday, officials reported more than 31,000 peopled tested in the state.

Of the new cases, six have no identified risk factors with the remaining cases contracting the virus due to being in close contact with infected people or domestic or international travel.

The state said 1,019 cases, about 39 percent, have recovered from the virus, with the death count holding steady at 86 or 3 percent of cases. Currently, there are 1,483 active cases with 111 hospitalized.

Approximately 2,925 people are under public health monitoring while 24,282 have tested negative for the virus at both public and private labs — about 90 percent of all people tested. Seventy-nine tests are outstanding at the state's labs.

Both Sandown and Plaistow have been added to the list of communities with 20 or more infected residents, according to the latest data.

U.S. Attorney: Report Sexual Harassment Housing Cases

The U.S. Department of Justice is asking anyone who may have witnessed or experienced sexual harassment by a landlord, property manager, maintenance worker, loan officer, or anyone with control over housing, during the COVID-19 pandemic, to report the incidents.

Some tenants who are unable to pay rent on time may face housing insecurity and be targeted for attempted sexploitation by housing providers. The department has received reports of housing providers attempting to take advantage of the crisis by demanding sexual favors and other unwelcomed sexual conduct from tenants. Sexual harassment in housing is illegal and the DOJ stated it will investigate allegations and pursue enforcement actions where appropriate, according to officials.

"It is simply outrageous that a tenant would be subjected to sexual harassment while attempting to cope with paying the rent on time," said U.S. Attorney Scott Murray. "Predatory practices directed at people who are struggling to maintain their homes will not be tolerated. Landlords or others in control of housing should be working with tenants to address housing insecurity in this very difficult time. Those who are striving to assist the financially disadvantaged should be commended. Those who seek to sexually harass and exploit tenants are violating the law and will be held accountable for their conduct."

To report an incident, contact the Civil Rights Division at 844-380-6178 or via email at fairhousing@usdoj.gov.

Hassan Thanks National Guard

In a Zoom meeting Monday, U.S. Sen. Maggie Hassan held a Facebook Live talk with New Hampshire National Guard’s Major General David Mikolaities. During the conversation, Hassan, who also led the guard as governor, thanked Mikolaities for his work, as well as the work of guard members, mobilizing services, personal protection equipment, and other work during the new coronavirus epidemic in New Hampshire.

Watch the meeting here.

State Businesses Get $2.5B

More than 20,500 Paycheck Protection Program loans have been approved for New Hampshire businesses, according to U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen.

Those businesses, which agreed to keep a percentage of their employees working to stave layoffs during the crisis, received $2,579,751,242 in U.S. Small Business Administration loans through May 1.

Nominate An Online Educator

Brainly, an online learning community, has launched a new Online Educator of the Year Award and is asking for nominations from students.

Three winning educators will receive $1,000 toward classroom resources through a partnership with DonorsChoose. To nominate a teacher, write four or five sentences answering this question: "How has an educator been exceptional in your transition to remote learning?" Students who nominate a winning educator will receive a Samsung Galaxy Tablet, a Codecademy Pro student scholarship, and a one-year Brainly Plus subscription.

Entries will be accepted through May 8 online here.

GOFERR Stakeholder Meeting Held Tuesday

Joseph Doiron, the deputy director of the Governor’s Office For Emergency Relief and Recovery (GOFERR), will hold a meeting of the Stakeholder Advisory Board at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, May 5.

Call-in: 800-356-8278; PIN: 194655

All members of the GOFERR Stakeholder Advisory Board have been invited to participate in tomorrow's call. Pursuant to RSA 91-A:2, this meeting is open to the public.

McDonald's Thank You Meals Extended

McDonald's Restaurants are extending their Thank You Meal off through Wednesday in honor of National Nurse Appreciation Day.

Read more about the program here.

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.

ALSO READ:

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• Time To Decide Who Benefits From $1.25B Coronavirus Funds
• Coronavirus Update: 2,500 Infected In 2 Months In New Hampshire
• Coronavirus Is Also A Press Freedom Story in US, Around The World
• Hundreds Protest The Extended New Hampshire Stay-At-Home Order

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