Concord, NH – The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) today is issuing the following update on the new coronavirus, COVID-19. DHHS will continue to issue COVID-19 updates each day to provide media and the public with current information about the State’s efforts.
What’s New
· CDC Issues Self-Isolation Guidance for Travelers from Countries with a Level 2 and Level 3 Travel Alert
On March 4, 2020, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced that travelers from countries with a Level 3 travel alert (currently China, Iran, Italy and South Korea) are advised to stay home and monitor their health (i.e., self-quarantine) for 14 days after returning to the United States. Travelers from countries with a Level 2 level travel alert (currently Japan) are advised to monitor their health and limit interactions with others for 14 days after returning to the United States.
Anybody with travel to one of these countries who develops symptoms of fever or respiratory illness within 14 days of travel should limit contact with others and contact their primary care provider by phone to discuss their travel and symptoms in order to assess whether testing for COVID-19 might be warranted. Healthcare providers should discuss with the DHHS Division of Public Health Services the testing of anybody suspected with COVID-19.
· DHHS Issues Public Health Incident Declaration to Allow Volunteers to Participate in the COVID-19 Response.
DHHS Commissioner Lori Shibinette has signed a Declaration of Public Health Incident, which allows the State to use trained volunteers to assist in the ongoing response. With the declaration, DHHS is operationalizing a plan to coordinate with our volunteer corps, hospitals and healthcare providers to develop a robust response in case there is a future need to increase capacity for testing and surveillance efforts throughout the State.
· Possible Exposures during Private Event on Friday, February 28
On March 3, DHHS announced the first COVID-19 patient attended an invitation-only private function on Friday, February 28. People who attended the private event at The Engine Room in White River Junction, VT on the evening of Friday February 28, 2020, and were identified to be a close contact to the person who had a presumptive positive test for COVID-19, have been contacted and asked to self-quarantine and monitor for development of symptoms of infection.
Any other patrons of The Engine Room have been determined to be low risk for COVID-19 and are not being asked to quarantine or have testing for COVID-19. The majority of people who attended this private function should monitor themselves for symptoms of fever or respiratory illness, and contact their healthcare providers if they do develop symptoms. If you have questions or concerns about this event, please contact the Vermont Health Department 802-863-7240.
Current Situation in NH
New Hampshire 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Summary Report
(updated March 4, 2020, 9:00 a.m.)
|
Number of Confirmed Case(s) 1 |
0 |
|
Number of Persons Being Tested (current, test pending) 2 |
7 |
|
Number of Persons Tested (current, presumptive positive) 3 |
2 |
|
Number of PersonsTested (closed, tested negative) |
10 |
1 Includes specimens confirmed by CDC confirmatory testing.
2 Includes specimens received and awaiting testing at NH Public Health Laboratories (PHL).
3 Includes specimens that have tested presumptive positive at NH PHL and are en route to CDC for confirmatory testing.
DHHS continues to test for COVID-19 in the NH Public Health Laboratories. DHHS is updating its website every morning by 9:00 a.m. to include a current summary of testing actions.
Because COVID-19, and all respiratory illnesses, are most commonly spread through respiratory droplets, residents should take the same precautions as those recommended to prevent the spread of influenza:
· Stay home and avoid public places when sick (i.e. social distancing)
· Cover mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing
· Wash hands frequently
· Avoid being within 6 feet (close contact) of a person who is sick
· Avoid sharing drinks, smoking/vaping devices, or other utensils or objects that may transmit saliva
· Disinfect frequently touched surfaces
For more information, please visit the DHHS COVID-19 webpage at https://www.dhhs.nh.gov/dphs/cdcs/2019-ncov.htm.