Nashua City Hall Closes; Schools Delay Move To Hybrid Learning

NASHUA, NH — Nashua has seen a small uptick in other cases — including two more infections from inside Nashua City Hall which has prompted its closure beginning Monday.

As reported Sept. 10, Mayor Jim Donchess and two other staffers caught COVID-19 even though the city has a mandatory mask ordinance. Another case from inside city hall was also reported recently. On Friday, Kerry Miller, a public information officer for the city, reported two new cases with city staff, bringing the total case count to six.

"City leaders are working with Nashua's Department of Public Health and Community Services on health and safety protocols at this time, as well as sharing information with city hall employees to maintain the wellbeing of all," Donchess said. "The health and safety of city employees and members of the public is the number one priority. We have made arrangements to continue essential motor vehicle and city clerk transactions, as well as other essential city services."

For residents looking to register to vote, call 603-589-3010 and select Option 5. Leave your name and address and a packet with instructions will be mailed to your home.

City hall is scheduled to reopen for business Oct. 5.

Along with the new cases at city hall, during the past 48 hours, cases in Nashua have risen from 23 to anywhere from 34 or 42. According to the state data dashboard, Nashua has 42 current positive cases on the data dashboard map. But on the same table of data next to the map, 34 cases are being reported. Neither the public information office for the health department nor the State Joint Information Center returned an email requesting clarification on the exact number of current infections in Nashua.

Despite no COVID-19 cases connected to its schools — or possibly due to the small uptick in cases in the city, the Nashua School District has decided to delay moving to hybrid learning for most students until next year.

Superintendent Jahmal Mosley made the announcement Friday saying the district had maintained on a "steady course" and student work has been "magnificent." Special education, kindergarteners, and first graders, however, will begin in-school classes on a slow roll during October and November.

"We are encouraged by your efforts," he said, "and will continue to address individual student issues and make sure our students remain connected and receive high quality education during this pandemic."

Statewide Update

While 14 more children have become infected with the new coronavirus in New Hampshire, only a few are connected to K-12 schools in the state, according to health officials.

On Friday, the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services reported 48 new positive test results for COVID-19 — the third highest new case count in a single day since July 27. Of the new cases, 14 were children and 62 percent were male. One case is undetermined.

According to the state's school data dashboard, only three new K-12 school cases have been reported in the last 48 hours — single cases at Spaulding High School in Rochester, Nottingham Elementary School and another case at Windham High School.

The student at Spaulding had not been to school since Sept. 9, according to Superintendent Kyle Repucci, and no other students are believed to have been impacted by the case. However, next week, all high school students will be moved from in-person learning to remote learning, out of an abundance of caution, he said.

One of the new cases is still under investigation but of the others, 14 live in Manchester, 10 live in Rockingham County, six live in Nashua, and four live in both Merrimack County and Hillsborough County outside of Nashua and Manchester.

The new cases bring the state's total to 7,861 with 7,117 recovering from the virus — 91 percent.

Seven people are still in the hospital with COVID-19 and 2,025 are under public health monitoring.

A state official said Thursday, one of the reasons for the increase in new positive infections is the nearly doubling of the number of administered tests in the state during the past few weeks.

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Stop The Spread Of COVID-19The 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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