NH Coronavirus Update: 5th Death Announced; Positives Jump To 479

CONCORD, NH — The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services announced the death of a fifth person Thursday due to the new coronavirus. The patient, a man, under 60, had underlying medical conditions, according to Jake Leon, a public information officer for the state, who offered sympathies to his family and friends. The state also announced 64 new positive cases — 42 women and 22 men.

Of the new cases, most, 44, reside in Hillsborough County, Manchester, and Nashua. Another 17 live in Rockingham County and four in Merrimack County.

Ten of the new cases are hospitalized pushing the number of patients hospitalized to 73 or back up to around 15 percent.

"Thirty-seven 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 traveled to domestic or international locations or have had close contact with a person with a confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis, he added.

More than 20 percent of those people infected have recovered from the virus, according to the latest data, with 373 currently still sick. The state said 6,575 had tested negative at NH Public Health Laboratories, LabCorp, Quest, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, and those sent to CDC prior to NH PHL testing capacity. Of those, 3,672 were tested at the state labs.

The state has 114 tests pending — but this number does not include tests pending at the commercial labs.

The state now has approximately 1,700 under public health monitoring.

An enlargement of a high resolution version of the latest map from the state of New Hampshire of where the COVID-19 patients live.

The latest map full state map of COVID-19 patients.

A county breakdown of the numbers as of April 2 including Manchester and Nashua.

Market Basket Limits Customers In Stores

Market Basket, the largest grocery chain in New Hampshire, began limiting the number of customers inside of its stores at any given time based on the size of the store Thursday.

The company stated it was limiting customers to ensure a healthy and safe shopping experience for customers and employees during the coronavirus pandemic.

"We have been constantly refining our operations focused on the health and safety of our customers and associates," said Joseph Schmidt, an operations supervisor. "These changes reflect the wide range of input we have received on a daily basis — from our customers and our associates and from the Governors and public health experts who describe the next several weeks as critical for the health of the residents in our region. It is important that our customers have a pleasant, safe, and healthy experience in our stores."

The stores will only be open in one entrance and exit and employees will greet customers with a clean and sanitized grocery cart. Employees have also begun a "heightened disinfection program" which will focus on "high-touch surfaces" like counters, register belts, payment devices, and other surfaces.

NH Unemployment: 3rd Largest Increase

How bad are the new unemployment numbers in New Hampshire? Pretty bad.

According to a year-over-year comparison by WalletHub.com, the announcement Thursday that 27,454 people filed for unemployment last week was the third highest increase in the nation when compared to this week in 2019 — which was only 433 filings. When compared to the first week of the year (690), it was fourth highest.

Patch takes community journalism seriously and we want to be as much service to our readers as possible at this very uncertain time. If you are a public health worker, medical provider, elected official, patient, or other coronavirus expert — or you simply have a news tip you'd like to share — please fill out this form. We'll keep names and personal information private.

These figures are striking and show how strong the New Hampshire economy was before the COVID-19 outbreak.

Read the full report on WalletHub.com.

Anthem Waives Cost Share For Treatment

The state's largest health insurer is now expanding and covering treatment for COVID-19 in its affiliated health plans.

The expansion covers the waiver of cost share through the end of May. The company will reimburse health care providers at in-network rates or Medicare rates, as applicable, for Anthem’s affiliated health plan fully insured, Individual, Medicaid and Medicare Advantage members, according to a statement. Anthem is "strongly encouraging participation by our self-funded employers and will work with them to ensure their employees’ needs are met." Employers will, however, still have the option to opt out of participation.

"During these challenging times, Anthem stands by our legacy and commitment to living our values and supporting those we serve," said Anthem president and CEO Gail K. Boudreaux. "By applying our approach for innovation, compassion and inclusion, we are focused on the issues needed most in this time of crisis, including affordability and access to care for those dealing with treatment related to COVID-19. We are also proud to serve as a partner to frontline caregivers and community leaders to meet the evolving needs of our nation."

Anthem customers will find a full explanation of the expanded coverage available online.

Don't miss updates about coronavirus precautions and information in New Hampshire as they are announced. Sign up for Patch news alerts and newsletters.

DCYF: Please Continue To Support Kids

As part of another emergency order issued by Gov. Chris Sununu Wednesday, the health department is asking the public to continue to support children and families during the new coronavirus outbreak.

Confinement and social distancing are adding additional stress on families — which can put kids at risk for abuse and neglect. March data showed a drop in reports to the Division for Children, Youth and Families' Central Intake when compared to the same period during the last two years. The drop worried officials enough to request more funds for employees and services for families.

"People who are not currently seeing children and families due to the necessary social distancing measures aren’t contacting us as they normally would, but our families are still feeling the stress of the disruption of family routines," said DCYF Director Joe Ribsam. "It is as important as ever to make sure we check on our families, kids and even older youth to let them know we care. Ask kids how they’re doing, how their loved ones are doing, if they need anything. Follow social distancing rules, but remain social — our families need the community connections that keep them strong and healthy."

Resources available for families are calling NH 211, the Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence at 1-866-644-3574, and the New Hampshire Children’s Trust. If you suspect child abuse or neglect, call DCYF at 1-800-894-5533.

Libertarians Seek Ballot Access Relief

The Libertarian Party of New Hampshire needs 3,000 valid signatures in order to gain ballot access for the 2020 election. But due to the coronavirus, social distancing, and other issues, party members feel that it would be a risk to public health to collect petition signatures.

So the party has officially requested Bill Gardner, the Secretary of State and Sununu to waive petition requirements.

"The Libertarian Party of New Hampshire has been petitioning throughout the state since the beginning of January" in order to collect the petitions required, according to the letter by Brian Shields, the chairman of the org, and as the risk of COVID-19 grew, "halted ballot access efforts effective immediately to protect voters, activists, and those who will eventually handle these petitions in municipal offices throughout the state … with election deadlines fast approaching, and with so much fear and uncertainty concerning this virus, it is vital that the Secretary of State and the Governor act to protect our elections by waiving the petitioning requirement."

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:

• Girl Scouts Earn Silver Awards Making Coronavirus Face Masks
• Coronavirus Leads 27,454 To File For Unemployment In NH
• Coronavirus in NH: 4th Patient Dies, 415 Cases With More Likely
• NHDES: Please Only Flush Toilet Paper
• Child Safety Advocates: Stay Vigilant Despite Coronavirus

Got a news tip? Send it to tony.schinella@patch.com. View videos on Tony Schinella's YouTube channel.