Another COVID-19 Death In New Hampshire, 434 More Cases: Update

CONCORD, NH — A western New Hampshire school district has informed the state that it will be defying the governor's April 19 school reopening order and will return to in-person learning, two weeks later, on May 3.

Gov. Chris Sununu signed an executive order last week directing all schools to reopen for in-person learning by April 19. About 60 percent of K-12 schools are already offering in-person learning despite school districts, teachers' unions, and some politicos, offering a myriad of reasons for not fully opening. First, it was that there was not enough personal protection equipment or hand sanitizer for everyone. So, millions of pieces were provided by the state, local, and federal governments. Then, it was a lack of funds. But about $300 million more will be spent on schools in New Hampshire in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic as well as more funds given to school districts before the pandemic. Then, it was teachers not being vaccinated. However, educators who were not older or had comorbidities were in the second phase of the process of being vaccinated.

However, even with all of this, the Monadnock Regional School District informed the state it would be opening on May 3, two weeks after the directive.

SAU 93 staff, according to School Superintendent Lisa Witte, were not able to access vaccines until March 19 — when 143 employees received their first shots. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, she said, said the time needed for every educator to be vaccinated would be later — when they are fully ensured to be protected from the virus.

"We are eager to return to fully in-person learning so that our students can reap the benefits of being in school with their peers and educators," she said. "However, it's critical that we plan a re-opening that protects the well-being of our entire community, which means ensuring that our teachers and staff are fully protected from a virus that has interrupted all of our lives for more than a year."

Witte informed Frank Edelblut, the commissioner of the New Hampshire Department of Education, of her decision to delay reopening on Wednesday via a letter that was also sent to news organizations.

The education department is working with school districts to ensure they will all open by April 19.

An 11-page Emergency Order 89 question and answer memo was given to districts in an effort to ensure schools meet the deadline. The memo includes 60 different actions and recommendations districts to implement if they cannot separate desks by three feet or what to do if teachers remain out of the classroom due to Americans with Disabilities Act provisions by their doctors. If districts are unable to reach the deadline, action may be taken against them by the New Hampshire Attorney General's Office.

According to the latest coronavirus data available, only 3,901 cases or 4.5 percent of the 86,935 cases are connected to K-12 school settings. Only one person in New Hampshire under the age of 29 — a Concord man, 22, has died of COVID-19, meaning no K-12 students have died. Fewer than 3.5 percent of deaths in New Hampshire are people 59-years-old or younger. More than 70 percent of all deaths in the state were connected to long-term care settings while nearly 88 percent of all deaths were 70 years of age or older. Meaning few, if any, teachers have died of COVID-19 in New Hampshire after being exposed to the virus in schools.

Latest Data From New Hampshire

The State Joint Information Center said Wednesday another 434 new positive coronavirus test results, including 100 children, were found after nearly 14,000 tests were administered on Tuesday.

About 60 percent of the new infections were found via polymerase chain reaction tests while there were slightly more than half were male. Most of the new cases — 118, reside in Rockingham County while 94 live in Hillsborough County outside of Nashua, 42 live in Merrimack County, and 23 live in Nashua.

The state said 96 people were hospitalized. There are 3,387 active cases in New Hampshire. More than 1.96 million tests have been administered while 50.4 percent of the population has been tested at least once. Around 19.6 percent of the state's residents have been fully vaccinated or more than 266,000 people. More than 488,000 have at least one dose.

Another death was also announced.

The man lived in Rockingham County and was 60 years of age or older. There have been 1,250 fatalities in the state — or 1.43 percent of all cases.

The state had not updated the college and university or K-12 school setting data at post time.

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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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