Level Of Transmission Of New Coronavirus In NH Schools Minimal

CONCORD, NH — While dozens of school-age New Hampshire children are catching COVID-19 around the state, most are becoming infected outside of classrooms.

According to data from the state, 134 Granite Staters, 19 years of age or younger, have contracted the new coronavirus since Aug. 31, the day some schools began classes in New Hampshire. Other schools began classes after Labor Day. But only 19 cases are officially connected to the school setting.

Lori Shibinette, the commissioner of the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services, said Thursday only COVID-19 cases where a student becomes infected in a classroom or during a school activity, like playing with a sports team or performing in theatre or band, will they be considered a school infection. Most of the cases in New Hampshire, she said, contracted the virus outside of the classroom activities.

One of the most recent cases in the state was at Concord High School where a member of the marching band contracted the virus. Other than band practice, the student had not been on the school premises, according to Kathleen Murphy, the district's interim superintendent.

Concord is currently learning in a partial hybrid model: The only kids attending classes physically in school are Concord Regional Technical Center students, children with special needs, students with individualized education program plans, and English language learners. The district will move to a hybrid model for all students in October.

The last practice the band participated in was Sept. 9, was outdoors, and safety protocols were in place, Murphy said.

The state knew about the case Sept. 12 but the school was informed late Wednesday afternoon and swiftly acted — quarantining marching band members from other activities right away, a process that was found to be unnerving, some parents privately told Patch.

Officially, there are no clusters or current outbreaks in K-12 schools and the state is considered in a "minimal" level of transmission status.

Schools with current cases in Patch communities include two cases at Bishop Guertin in Nashua, the new case at Concord High School, and three cases at Windham High School, according to the state's data dashboard.

Other schools have students that are infected but did not catch the virus during school activities.

In the SAU 39 school district, Amherst and Mont Vernon, single students at both the Clark-Wilkins Elementary and Mont Vernon Village schools that are in quarantine.

Salem High School during the past week has reported three positive cases of COVID-19 but the cases were determined to not be connected to the school setting. The week before, Michael Delahanty, the superintendent of schools, informed several students they would have to attend classes remotely due to being in the presence of Windham students where there was a major outbreak recently.

"School and district officials continue to emphasize the need for diligent adherence to safety protocols and social distancing, both at school, and in all circumstances outside of school," he said. "We understand students' interest in getting together with friends to socialize, but please remind your kids of what's at risk. In-school learning and fall sports programs as well as extra-curricular activities are dependent upon our collective vigilance."

Richard Langlois, the superintendent of schools in Windham, informed parents and the community Wednesday that there were five active student cases and 20 in the district, so far. Most did not catch it at school but, instead, a high school party. The outbreak prompted Langlois to move the school to fully remote, temporarily, last week, while suspending extracurriculars and sports.

35 New COVID-19 Cases

Statewide, health officials reported 35 new positive test results for the new coronavirus Thursday bringing the accumulative case count to 7,814 in New Hampshire.

Three of the new cases were children while 60 percent were female.

Nine of the new cases reside in Rockingham County, six live in Manchester, five live in Nashua, four live in Hillsborough County outside of Manchester and Nashua, and one lives in Merrimack County.

Two of the new cases required hospitalization and 10 had no identified risk factors — meaning they have not traveled recently and not been in contact with a person who has tested positive for the virus.

More than 7,100 patients have recovered from the virus, there are 272 active cases in New Hampshire, and 2,000 people under public health monitoring by the state.

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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 confirmed or suspected case of COVID-19 needs to stay home and not go out into 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.

• 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.
• 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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