Thousands Of COVID-19 Tests Issued In Salem: Data

SALEM, NH — According to the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services, nearly 3,300 residents in town have been tested for the new coronavirus.

Between Jan. 1 and Aug. 15, 4,347 tests have been issued to 3,229 Salem residents.

The health department released the information after a public records request made by Patch for the data. The data is supposed to be included in the second Interactive Analytics data dashboard created by the state in August but is still not available.

In Salem, 302 people have contracted COVID-19 since March, due to long-term care setting outbreaks, meaning nearly 93.1 percent of the tests issued in town resulted in a negative outcome.

On Tuesday, the state announced another 23 people had contracted COVID-19 in New Hampshire bringing the total number of infections to 7,297. Of the new cases, four were children and 61 percent were male.

Five of the new cases live in Hillsborough County outside of Manchester and Nashua, four reside in Rockingham County, three live in Manchester, and two live in Merrimack County.

Of the new cases, one required hospitalization and two new cases had no identified risk factors.

Currently, there are eight people in the hospital.

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According to state data, more than 329,000 polymerase chain tests have been issued in the state with around 211,000 people being tested with PCR tests. Another 29,761 people have been tested with antibody lab tests. Only 834 PCR tests were issued Monday with another 10 antibody tests held also on Monday.

The state has around 1,700 people under public health monitoring.

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.

ALSO READ:

• NH Schools Receive More COVID-19 Guidance — And A Data Dashboard
• Concord City Council Approves Face Covering Ordinance: Update
• 22 More COVID-19 Cases Reported In New Hampshire: Update
• 35 More COVID-19 Infections In New Hampshire: 48 Hour Update
• NH Businesses: Join Patch's Local Business Information Center

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