Second New Hampshire Coronavirus Case Reported In Grafton County

CONCORD, NH — State health officials have confirmed a second new coronavirus case in New Hampshire. The second presumptive positive case is a Grafton County man who was in close contact with the first patient in the state, a Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center employee who had recently returned from a trip to Italy.

The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services is awaiting confirmation from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention about the two cases.

The second person was found after state officials began a "contact investigation" of the initial patient, officials said. That investigation determined that despite the first person being told to isolate themselves, they attended a private event Friday, according to the state. After interviews, the second person was found.

"DHHS has issued an official order of isolation to the first patient ...," according to a news statement. "DHHS is contacting attendees who had close contact with the person during the event and notifying them to follow the recommended 14-day self-isolation."

Dartmouth-Hitchcock has identified staffers who may have been exposed through close contact with the first patient. They are monitoring those persons to confirm whether they are self-monitoring or self-isolating, according to officials.

Dartmouth-Hitchcock has no knowledge of exposure to any patients in clinical areas, according to the state.

Anyone who has not been contacted by the state but is concerned they may have been exposed to the virus should monitor themselves for symptoms. Instructions for people to self-observe for symptoms of COVID-19 are available are available here.

Six New Hampshire residents have been tested and confirmed negative for the virus. Four people have tests pending, according to the state.

COVID-19 is caused by a member of the coronavirus family that's a close cousin to the SARS and MERS viruses that have caused outbreaks in the past.

Like all respiratory illnesses, it is spread through respiratory droplets, meaning residents should take the same precautions as those recommended to prevent the spread of influenza. This means staying at home and avoiding public places when sick (i.e., "social distancing"); covering the mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing; washing hands frequently; avoiding being within 6 feet (close contact) of a person who is sick; avoiding sharing drinks, smoking/vaping devices or other utensils or objects that may transmit saliva; and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces.

The CDC has issued travel advisories for the following countries:

• Level 3 Travel Warning (avoid all nonessential travel due to widespread community transmission): China, Iran, Italy and South Korea.
• Level 2 Travel Alert (practice enhanced precautions due to sustained community transmission): Japan.
• Level 1 Travel Watch (practice usual precautions, but limited community spread has been reported): Hong Kong.

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:

• Concord School District Spray Cleaning To Fight Coronavirus, Flu
• Presumptive Positive Coronavirus Test In NH Prompts Investigation
• New Hampshire's First Coronavirus Case Reported In Grafton County
• What is coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)? CDC pdf
• Media Facing Challenges In Covering Coronavirus Outbreak
• DHHS: Dartmouth-Hitchcock Worker Is 1st To Test Positive in NH for COVID-19
• An Outbreak Of Coronavirus Misinformation: AP Fact Check
• Officials Say Fourth Granite Stater Tested For Coronavirus
• NH Students Just Back From European Trip Will Stay Home Over Coronavirus Fears
• 'Certainly Possible' N.H. Sees Coronavirus Spread: State Doctor
• State Says 2 With 2019 Novel Coronavirus Symptoms Test Negative
• 2 In NH Who Returned From China Have Coronavirus Symptoms

Got a news tip? Send it to me at tony.schinella@patch.com. View videos at https://www.youtube.com/user/tonyschinella.