Southern NH Medical Center, Elliot To Limit Coronavirus Testing

NASHUA, NH — In an effort keep staffers safe and preserve supplies, two of southern New Hampshire's largest medical centers are changing their testing guidelines to address a strain on resources due to the new coronavirus. SolutionHealth, which runs Southern New Hampshire Medical Center in Nashua, the Elliot Hospital in Manchester, and other facilities connected to both institutions, is no longer testing potential COVID-19 patients with "mild symptoms" or "those who have been exposed but do not have symptoms." The change is in accordance with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as well as New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services guidelines, according to Suzanne Tammaro, the vice president of marketing and development for the company.

"The number one priority of SolutionHealth is the safety of patients, staff, and the community," Tammaro said. "(The) new testing guidelines (were) established to help keep our healthcare staff safe and preserve essential supplies, such as swabs and Personal Protective Equipment, so we can continue serving our community in the coming weeks."

Thursday, Dr. Benjamin Chan, the state's epidemiologist, announced that officials were recommending hospitals limit testing to their own personnel, nursing home workers, and patients with severe symptoms. First responders are also expected to be put into that category, according to officials.

Tammaro said individuals who are not tested should communicate with their health care provider on how to best manage symptoms at home and prevent any spread of the virus to others. The company's emergency department "should only be utilized in case of a life-threatening emergency, such as difficulty breathing."

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The testing guideline change comes as facilities like Elliot and others have set up drive-thru testing processes around the state. However, according to the health department, hundreds of people are coming back with negative tests, meaning they had symptoms but didn't have COVID-19, which is straining the testing process.

What You Can Do

COVID-19, not unlike the flu and other respiratory illnesses, is spread through respiratory droplets, usually through coughing and sneezing, and exposure to others who are sick or might be showing symptoms. Take the same precautions as you would if you were sick:

• Stay home and avoid public places when sick (i.e. social distancing).
• 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.

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