NH Hospitals Request Coronavirus Donations For Staffers

NASHUA, NH — SolutionHealth hospitals are asking for assistance from the community, by way of medical supplies and care packages, to assist in protecting both patients and health care workers from the new coronavirus. The request of personal protection equipment comes at a time when there is a national shortage and COVID-19 patients rising in the state. Any donations given to Southern New Hampshire Medical Center, Elliot Hospital, and other facilities the company operates, will ensure supplies will be ready, if needed, during the coming days and weeks, according to Suzanne Tammaro, the vice president of marketing and development for SolutionHealth.

Items in need include: Disposable face masks; N95 masks, sometimes called respirators; eye protection, including face shields and safety goggles; disposable gowns; disposable gloves, especially non-latex; disposable surgical caps; disposable foot covers; wipes: bleach or antimicrobial; and hand sanitizer.

Care Packages, Too

Care packages will also be accepted by the organization for hospital staffers who, the company said, are "working tirelessly" and will be, in the weeks ahead.

Items include snacks, candy, and cookies, as well as notes, too, of inspiration and encouragement. Care packages should be packaged securely as they will need to be cleaned with disinfectant wipes before distribution, she said.

Donations will be accepted at two locations: Elliot at Rivers Edge, main entrance, at 185 Queen City Avenue in Manchester, and Southern New Hampshire Medical Center, entrance, at 1 Medical Center Drive. Hours are from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. beginning Sunday. Donations will be accepted on Monday through Wednesday after Sunday, until further notice.

Direct any other offers to donations@solutionhealth.org.

Donors who are not feeling well, or who have contact with people who are not feeling well, are kindly asked to refrain from donating at this time, Tammaro said.

What You Can Do To Stop The Spread

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.

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