NH Coronavirus: Negative Tests Break 10K; PPE Arrives From China

CONCORD, NH — The state announced Sunday that another 57 people from New Hampshire have tested positive for the new coronavirus. A number of the cases are still under investigation but from the information available, the State Joint Information Center said 65 percent of the new cases were women and 35 percent men. Of the new cases, 31 live in Rockingham County while 17 live in Hillsborough County.

Merrimack County has two new cases. The residency of one case is still unknown.

"Any additional information from ongoing investigations will be incorporated into future COVID-19 updates," the state said.

Six of the new cases needed hospitalization bringing the count to 152, about 15 percent, who have needed hospital care.

At least nine of the new cases have no identified risk factors, the center said, leading officials to continue to be concerned that community-based transmission is continuing in the state. Most of the other cases either traveled or had contact with a person who was a confirmed case of COVID-19.

According to the center, 10,222 people have tested negative for the virus — about 90 percent of tests issued in the state. More than 5,000 of those tests were performed at the NH Public Health Laboratories. About 125 tests are pending at the state lab — with an unknown amount of tests waiting at private labs.

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Approximately 2,275 people are under public health monitoring by the state.

State Gets 91,000 lbs. Of PPE

Gov. Chris Sununu, U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, and Dean Kamen, the inventor of the Segway as well as other products, were at Manchester-Regional Airport to unload 91,000 lbs. worth of personal protective equipment from a FedEx cargo plane.

The plane flew from Shanghai, China, Saturday, into customs in Anchorage, Alaska, Sunday, and then, to Manchester.

The state purchased the shipment and will be distributing to the areas of greatest need, according to the governor.

"One month ago, New Hampshire wasn’t even in the business of PPE procurement, and today we secured 45 metric tons of this critical lifesaving equipment for our state," said Sununu. "We worked around the clock, scoured the earth, and left no stone unturned to ensure New Hampshire has the resources it needs to combat this pandemic. Huge thanks to Dean Kamen for facilitating this effort, and all others who worked tirelessly to make it a reality — I couldn’t be prouder."

All hands on deck effort. pic.twitter.com/tSJH2zLGJX
— Chris Sununu (@GovChrisSununu) April 12, 2020

Both Shaheen and Sen. Maggie Hassan thanked Kamen for working to ensure the state had equipment it would need.

"Our state has not been receiving the PPE it needs and is running dangerously low on supplies," Shaheen said. "Thanks to Dean Kamen’s leadership, we are all a little safer today. This pandemic will continue to require all of us to sacrifice and think outside the box, and I’m tremendously grateful to all the Granite Staters who are rising to this challenge."

Hassan said the CARES Act was approved to make sure that supplies like these could get to the frontlines.

Mrs Benoit's Social Distancing Parody

Ashley Benoit, a school psychologist in Nashua, created this video for students and staff — to enjoy a smile during remote learning which can sometimes be a challenging and stressful time.

Nice job, Ashley!

NH Banks Ready To Help

New Hampshire banks are working with small businesses since the rollout of the Paycheck Protection Program was rolled out by the federal government.

According to the NH Bankers Association, 37 banks are participating in the program in the state at around 1,980 paycheck program loans have been approved. The value of those loans is around $405 million. Based on borrower data, nearly 11,000 jobs have been saved due to the loans.

"Each one of these jobs saved represents critical support for a Granite State family in need," said Kristy Merrill, the president of the association. "We know that keeping them on their payroll will help each one of them continue to buy their groceries, provide for their families and keep New Hampshire’s economy moving. Banks in New Hampshire are here to help. Since day one of this public health crisis, our banks have been lending and providing borrower assistance, and will continue to do so. As we enter week two of the PPP program, New Hampshire’s banks will remain fully engaged as trusted partners to help keep our businesses open and our fellow Granite Staters employed."

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This week, sole proprietors and independent contractors are now eligible for the loans, too. For more information, visit the association website.

Division Of Travel Now Has Virtual Experiences

While the COVID-19 outbreak is limiting tourism and travel in New Hampshire, a state agency now has a way to share virtual experiences online.

The new, updated state website, VisitNH.gov, has online theater and ballet performances, nature tours, audio and video museum tours, and online learning resources for kids. The site also features food takeout and delivery options to support the state’s restaurant industry.

"We are always working to reinforce New Hampshire's status as the premier destination in the northeast but we are adapting to the current temporary travel situation until we are able to welcome people back to our state," said NH Travel and Tourism Director Lori Harnois. "These virtual experiences offer visitors and residents alike the opportunity to experience the state from the comfort and safety of their own homes."

Cancer Patients: You're Vulnerable

Steven Leach, MD, the director of Dartmouth’s and Dartmouth-Hitchcock’s Norris Cotton Cancer Center, posted this video sharing "special precautions" the clinicians and staff at the center have taken to help ensure the safety of patients.

Leach also shares how some of the cancer center researchers are repurposing their research to help the region and the nation deal with the COVID-19 crisis.

Watch the message below:

Easterseals NH Holds Zumbathon

Looking for something fun to do at home later this week while raising money for a good cause?

Easterseals NH is hosting a virtual Zumbathon party with online routines, more than $3,000 in raffle prizes, and more. Check it out here.

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.

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• NH Coronavirus: Monitoring Surges To 3,350; 22nd Death Announced
• NH Officials: Voters Can Cast Absentee Ballots Due To Coronavirus
• Medical Facility Ready in Concord In Case Of Coronavirus Surge

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