In New Hampshire, 327 New Positive Coronavirus Test Results

CONCORD, NH — Another 327 people have contracted the coronavirus in New Hampshire, according to state health officials.

The new positive test results include 62 children and were found after more than 11,700 tests were administered for a positivity rate of 1.6 percent of polymerase chain reaction tests. Slightly more than half were male while a little less than half of the new infections were found via antigen tests.

Rockingham County had the most new cases — 97, while Hillsborough County outside of Nashua had 73 new cases. In Merrimack County, 24 new cases were reported while 18 were in Nashua. The state is trying to determine where 22 of the new infections live.

"Community-based transmission continues to occur in the state and has been identified in all counties," the state said. "Of those with complete risk information, most of the cases have had close contact with a person with a confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis or are associated with an outbreak setting."

Active cases in the state, after dropping below 2,000, are back up over — at 2,212 on Wednesday. Hospitalizations have increased to 79, the state said. Recoveries are slightly below 76,000 of all cases.

Nine communities in the state have more than 50 active cases: Manchester at 198, Nashua at 135, Salem with 73, Durham is at 71, Hudson with 59, Goffstown with 54, Derry and New London have 53, and Keene has 51.

Active cases in other Patch communities include 46 in Portsmouth, Londonderry with 40, 38 in Concord, Bedford and Merrimack have 35, Windham with 29, Hampton has 28, Exeter with 25, Milford has 15, nine live in North Hampton, and Amherst has been one and four cases.

ALSO READ:

• House Panel Wants Say In New Federal COVID Spending; Replace Cannon Tramway?
• Coronavirus Vaccine Phase 2A Scheduling Begins Wednesday: Update
• State Confirms 'Multiple' COVID-19 Cases From Hampton Wrestling Event
• COVID-19 'Relief' Has Yet To Arrive, But NH Economy Continues To Rise
• Officials Launch Rental Assistance Program In NH: COVID-19 Update

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.

Got a news tip? Send it to tony.schinella@patch.com. View videos on Tony Schinella's YouTube.com channel or Rumble.com channel.