Concord, NH – The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has issued the following update for March 13, 2020, 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.

New Hampshire residents who have questions or concerns about COVID-19 should contact 211.

What’s New

·  Governor Chris Sununu Declares State of Emergency, Opens Emergency Operations Center in Concord

On March 13, Governor Chris Sununu declared a state of emergency for New Hampshire for the next 21 days in order to coordinate information and resources in response to the presence of COVID-19 in NH. State officials activated the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) at the Incident Planning and Operations Center in Concord to bring together state agencies to manage response communication, coordinate responses with community partners and provide essential resources to local, state and federal healthcare and public health partners. The SEOC is open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., seven days a week.

·  DHHS announces new positive test result of COVID-19

DHHS announced a new presumptive positive test result for COVID-19 on March 13. This brings the total in New Hampshire to 7 cases. The person is an adult female from Rockingham County who notified their healthcare provider after developing symptoms. DHHS has determined that the person was at the Manchester branch of the NH Division of Motor Vehicles, at 377 South Willow Street in Manchester on March 2,3,4,5, and 10. Anyone in the Manchester DMV on those days and has developed symptoms should stay home, limit their contact with others, and immediately contact a healthcare provider. If you are not experiencing symptoms, you should self-observe for symptoms and report any by calling a healthcare provider.

·  DHHS announces increased testing capacity and new guidance to medical providers on testing for COVID-19

The ability for residents to be tested for COVID-19 continues to increase. The State Public Health Laboratories continues to request and receive additional testing kits and supplies from the CDC to ensure the capacity to test individuals potentially exposed to the virus. Commercial testing is currently available and is also set to expand to help more patients get tested through their health care providers. Some hospital laboratories are also developing local capacity to test for COVID-19. DPHS issued a Health Alert Network message on March 13 to expand guidelines for providers regarding COVID-19 testing. Patients with symptoms of COVID-19 should contact their health care provider, who will determine if testing is necessary. Providers should contact DPHS for testing facilitation. People who are sick should not report to emergency departments for clinical evaluation.

·  New guidelines issued by CDC around non-essential domestic or international travel

Everyone planning travel should monitor the CDC’s Travel Health Notices and avoid travel to any country with a Level 3 travel notice, which currently includes China, South Korea, Iran, and most European countries. Because of travel restrictions put in place by other countries, anybody who does travel internationally risks difficulty returning and could potentially face quarantine in that country and quarantine upon returning to New Hampshire, based on the progression of the global COVID-19 outbreak. 

Because COVID-19 has become widespread in many countries around the world, and even in parts of the United States, older adults or those with chronic medical conditions should talk with their healthcare providers before travel. They should also avoid any domestic or international travel, which is consistent with guidance from the CDC, which issued a Level 2 global outbreak Travel Health Notice. Other individuals, schools, and businesses should also consider postponing non-essential domestic or international travel and review the newly released guidance for those considering travel in the United States. 

New Hampshire 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Summary Report
(updated March 14, 2020)

NH Persons with COVID-191	7
Persons with Test Pending at NH PHL2	31
Total Persons Tested at NH PHL3	250
Persons Being Monitored in NH (approximate point in time)	425

1 Includes specimens presumptive-positive at any laboratory and those confirmed by CDC confirmatory testing.
2 Includes specimens received and awaiting testing at NH Public Health Laboratories (PHL).
2 Includes specimens sent to CDC prior to NH PHL testing capacity.

DHHS continues to test for COVID-19 in the NH Public Health Laboratories. DHHS is updating its website Monday through Friday to include a current summary of testing actions.

Previous Updates

·  DHHS Announces Sixth Presumptive Positive Case of COVID-19

·  Residents Can Contact NH 2-1-1 for information and resources on COVID-19

NH DHHS Daily Update on COVID-19 Archive

For more information, please visit the DHHS COVID-19 webpage at https://www.dhhs.nh.gov/dphs/cdcs/2019-ncov.htm.