Portsmouth's State Senator's Husband Contracts Coronavirus

PORTSMOUTH, NH — A state Senator from the Seacoast is in self-isolation after her husband contracted the new coronavirus. State Sen. Martha Fuller Clark, D-Portsmouth, announced Saturday that her husband had tested positive for COVID-19. While she is at risk, she hasn't yet experienced symptoms.

"While my husband is feeling under the weather, his symptoms are not critical and we have been in self-isolation since Tuesday," she said. "After my husband received the positive test result (Saturday), we felt it was our responsibility to inform the public so that others may take the necessary precautions to self-observe and self-quarantine as necessary."

Fuller Clark is requesting that anyone who was in "close contact" with her between March 7, and March 15, should follow state guidelines to self-quarantine and self-observe in order to protect themselves and others. The instructions can be found here: Division of Public Health Services Self-Quarantine Guide and here: Division of Public Health Services Self-Observation Guide, both in PDF format.

"It is so important at this critical time in our state for people to be proactive instead of reactive," Fuller Clark said. "To the degree people are able, they should self0isolate because it is unclear who is a carrier and who is going to get sick. The best way to avoid community spread is to stay home. I am so grateful for the medical providers who have assisted our family, and for every health care worker, public official, first responder, grocery worker, and daycare provider who are doing all they can to keep New Hampshire as healthy and safe as possible as we all work together to curb the impact of coronavirus."

Ray Buckley, the chairman of the New Hampshire Democratic Party, issued a statement saying, "The entire New Hampshire Democratic Party family is sending our love and best wishes to Jeff, Senator Fuller Clark, and their family, and we are all hoping for a speedy recovery."

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.

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