NH Public Health Lab To Test 250 For New Coronavirus: Update

CONCORD, NH — While the World Health Organization has officially called the new coronavirus a global pandemic, in New Hampshire, state officials are increasing the capacity to test for COVID-19 after receiving "additional testing supplies" from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Preventing (CDC). The supplies will allow the state's Public Health Laboratories to test 250 more residents who officials have determined to "qualify for testing," according to Jake Leon, a public information officer for the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services. The department reported Wednesday that it had increased its monitoring of residents who are potentially at risk to 254.

Eleven residents have tests pending with 90 people providing specimens and 74 testing negative. Three presumptive positives await CDC confirmation while two have been confirmed. The patients are located in Grafton and Rockingham counties.

Announcement In Bedford

Farley White Management informed tenants Wednesday at its office park in Bedford that one of the building's tenants had contracted the virus.

Specifics about the case are not known. It is unknown whether or not any of those being monitored, presumptive positives, or confirmed positives by the state is the individual who worked in Bedford. The department, during its press conference Sunday, stated it would not be identifying specific information about the patients due to federal privacy laws.

Battle Of The Badges Is On But ...

Dartmouth-Hitchcock announced that while its annual Battle of the Badges hockey game would still be played on Friday, fans would not be allowed to watch the came at the SNHU Arena.

Teams, which feature police officers and firefighters, so far, have raised nearly $181,000 of their goal of $285,000 to help the Children's Hospital at Dartmouth and their families.

Federal Funds Released

Sen. Jeanne Shaheen announced Wednesday that the CDC released $4.9 million to the state of New Hampshire as part of the $8.3 billion national effort to offset the costs of the COVID-19 epidemic.

"I’m pleased the CDC moved quickly to release these funds to New Hampshire to assist efforts to contain and mitigate the spread of the Coronavirus," she said. "This funding will provide a welcome boost to support state and local efforts to protect public health. I appreciate the bipartisan cooperation we’ve seen from every level of government to respond to this emergency and I hope that continues as we work together to confront this crisis."

Some have wondered why New Hampshire was only receiving around $5 million from billions of dollars being released by the federal government. According to Shaheen's office, while states are receiving money directly, some states are receiving more than others due to the cases they have. A lot of the funds are also going to direct expenses. As an example, $350 million is being sent to areas of the state with "high concentrations of the virus." Another $500 million is going toward the procurement of pharmaceuticals, masks, protective equipment, and other medical supplies to distribute to state and local hospitals, on a national level. Funds will also be used to reimburse states for expenses, replenish the CDC Infections Disease Rapid Response Fund, and for training responders and expanded bed capacity in the high concentration areas.

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What You Can Do

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. 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
• Avoid being within 6 feet (close contact) of a person who is sick
• Avoid sharing drinks, smoking/vaping devices, or other utensils or objects that may transmit saliva
• 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:

• Coronavirus Self-Quarantine Ends For Some In NH — With No Illness
• 2nd Rockingham County Man Tests Presumptive Positive For COVID-19
• COVID-19 Patient Seen 'Safely' At Elliot Hospital ER
• Officials: Vote Tuesday But Take Precautions To Avoid Coronavirus
• Hollis-Brookline Schools Closing Tuesday Due To Virus Concern
• More Than 150 In NH Being Monitored For Coronavirus: Update
• 2 New Coronavirus Presumptive Positives Reported In New Hampshire
• Health Professionals Collecting Samples: NH Coronavirus Update
• 22 Tested For COVID-19 In New Hampshire: Coronavirus Update

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