Coronavirus In New Hampshire Update: 678 New Infections

CONCORD, NH — Four more New Hampshire residents have died due to or related to COVID-19, according to the State Joint Information Center.

The fatalities were four men from Carroll, Hillsborough, and Rockingham counties. One was 80 years of age or older, two were in the 70 and 79 age bracket, and one was between 60- to 69-years-old.

"Two of the deaths occurred in December of 2020 and were recently confirmed as related to COVID-19," the state said. "We offer our sympathies to the family and friends."

According to the state, 1,270 people have died or 1.39 percent of all cases.

Another 678 infections including 120 children were reported during the past two days after nearly 21,000 tests were administered. Most of the new cases were male. The state said 155 of the new cases live in Hillsborough County outside of Nashua while 114 reside in Rockingham County. Merrimack County has 75 new cases, Nashua has 47, and the state is trying to find out where 42 of the new patients reside.

There are 3,140 active coronavirus cases in New Hampshire, more than 51.6 percent of residents have been tested at least once, and around 2.06 million tests have been administered. Nearly one-quarter of the state's residents have been fully vaccinated or around 334,000 Granite Staters while another 643,000 have one dose. The state reported 133 in the hospital while close to 95.2 percent of all infections have recovered from the virus.

Manchester has the most active cases in the state — 263 while 201 are in Nashua, 78 in Salem, and 76 in Merrimack. Londonderry has 65, Concord has 62 cases while Portsmouth has 54, Bedford has 42, Windham has 41, Milford 32, Hampton and Exeter have 29, 26 in Amherst, and North Hampton has 12.

Colleges and universities in the state had 74 cases — with 26 at Plymouth State University, 14 at Keene State College, and 13 at UNH in Durham.

In the K-12 school setting, there are 204 cases. School cases in Patch communities include four at the New Franklin School in Portsmouth and the Amherst Middle School; three at Rundlett Middle School and Milford High School; and two at Portsmouth High School, Nashua High School, Matthew Thornton Elementary School in Londonderry, the Golden Brook Elementary School in Windham, the Elm Street Middle School in Nashua, and the Clark-Wilkins School in Amherst. Another 27 schools in Patch communities have a single case each.

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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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