Another 724 New Positive Coronavirus Patients In New Hampshire

CONCORD, NH — The State Joint Information Center announced another nine additional deaths related to COVID-19 on Friday bringing the fatality count in the state to 971 or about 2 percent of all cases.

The latest deaths included a woman from Cheshire County, a man from Grafton County, three women and two men from Hillsborough County, and a woman and man from Rockingham County. Five of the deaths were connected to long-term care settings while eight were 80 years of age or older and one was between 70 and 79 years old.

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The state also reported another 724 new positive test results with most, 447, coming from polymerase chain reaction tests and the rest from antigen tests. Friday's positivity rate was 3.6 percent. About 6,200 people are infected with the virus while nearly 54,000 have recovered — about 88 percent.

The state crossed over the 1.3 million tests mark Friday with the most recent cases coming from specimens collected Tuesday, 5 cases, Wednesday, 278 new patients, and 441 new cases on Thursday. One-hundred and 14 more children are infected while slightly more males than females were in the latest round of cases.

Most of the new patients, 187, live in Hillsborough County outside of Nashua while 159 live in Rockingham County, 66 reside in Nashua and 60 live in Merrimack.

About 247 people are hospitalized fighting the virus while the state still has 175 current infections under investigation for residency information and a home location is unknown in 1,047 cases.

While dipping below 50 cases recently, infections connected to the K-12 school setting have risen back up to 61. Active cases connected to school settings in Patch communities include one at McKelvie Intermediate School in Bedford, one at the Woodbury School and William T. Barron Elementary School in Salem, and one case at Windham High School, Windham Middle School, and Windham Academy Public Charter School.

There are only four cases connected to colleges and universities in New Hampshire — at UNH in Durham.

The state also reported on Friday that 116,700 doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been allocated.

ALSO READ:

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• Another 1,034 New Positive COVID-19 Infections In New Hampshire
• Coronavirus In New Hampshire — 25 More Deaths: 48-Hour Report

Stop The Spread Of COVID-19

The COVID-19 virus is spread through respiratory droplets, usually through coughing and sneezing, and exposure to others who are sick or might be showing symptoms.

Health officials emphasize residents should follow these recommendations:

• Avoid any domestic and international travel, especially on public transportation such as buses, trains, and airplanes.
• Practice social distancing. Stay at least 6 feet from other people, including distancing while in waiting areas or lines.
• When you can't practice 6 feet of social distancing, wear a face covering.
• Anyone who is told to self-quarantine and stay at home due to exposure to a person with a confirmed or suspected case of COVID-19 needs to not go out to public places.
• If you are 60 years or older or have chronic and underlying health conditions, you need to stay home and not go out.
• Avoid gatherings of 10 people or more.
• Employers should work from home as much as possible.
• There is increasing evidence that the virus can survive for hours or possibly days on surfaces. People should clean frequently touched surfaces, including door handles, grocery carts and grocery basket handles, etc.

Take the same precautions as you would if you were sick:

• Stay home and avoid public places.
• Wear a face covering.
• 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.

COVID-19 Vaccine Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Schools, Employers, Employees and Businesses (Can your employer force you to get the vaccine? It depends).

COVID-19 Vaccine Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Healthcare Providers and Public Health Partners

• Guidance to schools can be found here.
• Instructions for returning travelers to self-observe for symptoms of COVID-19 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.
• To access the state's COVID-19 data dashboard, click on this link here.
• To access the state's COVID-19 Interactive Map Dashboard, click on this link here.

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