NH Coronavirus Update: 879 New Infections; Another Death

CONCORD, NH — Another 879 Granite Staters have contracted coronavirus in New Hampshire, according to the state's latest health information.

The new positive test results were compiled from four days of specimens: 136 of Monday's positive test results were from specimens taken on Dec. 29; another case was from Jan. 1; 417 cases were from Saturday, and 325 were from Sunday. More than a third of the infections were found by antigen test while the rest were from polymerase chain reaction tests for a positivity rate of 10.5 percent for the day. The seven-day test positivity rate for all tests is 8.7 percent.

There are 6,200 positive cases in New Hampshire.

"Several cases are still under investigation," the State Joint Information Center said. "Additional information from ongoing investigations will be incorporated into future COVID-19 updates."

The latest ICU admissions information published Jan. 4. Source: New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services

Of those with completed information, there were 132 under the age of 18 with slightly more males than females. Most of the new cases — 242, live in Hillsborough County outside of Nashua while 198 live in Rockingham County and 84 reside in Merrimack County. Nashua has 69 new cases. The state is still investigating the residency of 60 new cases.

A woman from Hillsborough County, who was 80 years of age or older, has also died. She is the 781st fatality in the state. About 2 percent of all positive infections have died.

Hospitalizations in the state are at 319 or about 10 percent of all hospital beds in New Hampshire. About 2 percent of all cases have required hospitalization, according to the state. Since the pandemic started in March, 40,347 people have recovered from the virus. Another 523,000 have been tested via PCR test with more than 1.1 million tests administered in New Hampshire.

Did you like this story? Invite a friend to subscribe to Patch!

ALSO READ:

• Lewicke: We Need To Know If COVID-19 Was In New Hampshire In 2019
• Nearly 2,500 Test Positive In 48-Hours: NH Coronavirus Update
• 24 Die In 48-Hour Period In New Hampshire: Coronavirus Update
• 11 Good News Stories: In Year Of Coronavirus, Generosity Reigns
• Coronavirus In New Hampshire: 20 More Deaths; 1,029 New Cases

Stop 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.
• When you can't practice 6 feet of social distancing, wear a face covering.
• Anyone who is told to self-quarantine and stay at home due to exposure to a person with confirmed or suspected case of COVID-19 needs to stay home and not go out into public places.
• If you are 60 years or older or have chronic and underlying health conditions, you need to stay home and not go out.
• Avoid gatherings of 10 people or more.
• Employers should work from home as much as possible.
• There is increasing evidence that the virus can survive for hours or possibly days on surfaces. 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.
• Wear a face covering.
• 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.

COVID-19 Vaccine Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Schools, Employers, Employees and Businesses (Can your employer force you to get the vaccine? It depends).

COVID-19 Vaccine Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Healthcare Providers and Public Health Partners

• 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.
• To access the state's COVID-19 data dashboard, click on this link here.
• To access the state's COVID-19 Interactive Map Dashboard, click on this link here.

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