Coronavirus Prompts Nashua Medical Center To Close To Visitors

NASHUA, NH — One of the largest medical centers in the southern part of the state has ended patient visits until further notice due to the new coronavirus. Southern New Hampshire Medical Center, a nearly 200-bed acute care facility located in Downtown Nashua, made the announcement Monday. The center, as well as the Elliot Health System, recently activated its "SolutionHealth Incident Command" to "coordinate our system-wide preparation and response to this virus."

The center said its team leaders, including health care professionals who are infectious disease experts, "were collaborating with local, state and national agencies" to ensure the safety and well-being of patients, visitors and staff across our system.

"Out of an abundance of caution for our patients and staff, all visitors are prohibited from entering Southern New Hampshire Medical Center with limited exceptions," the company stated online.

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The center, which has a medical staff of more than 500, is also a teaching hospital for facilities in Massachusetts. Originally started as an eight-bed emergency hospital in the late-1800s, the facility celebrated its 125th anniversary in 2017.

The center is offering updates about COVID-19 on its website here.

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.
• 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:

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• 425 Being Monitored; 212 Test Negative For Coronavirus In NH
• Concord Schools 'Almost Certain' To Close Due To Coronavirus
• Nashua Superintendent On COVID-19: Feeding Kids Is First Priority
• Elliot Hospital Sets Up Drive-Thru Coronavirus Testing
• 7th New Hampshire Resident Contracts New Coronavirus
• Governor Declares Coronavirus State Of Emergency In NH: Watch
• NH's Emergency Ops Center Activated Due To Coronavirus: Update
• Capitol Center, Tupelo, Others Try To Ease NH COVID-19 Concerns

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