Concord, NH – Concord, NH – The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has issued the following update for March 15, 2020, on the new coronavirus, COVID-19. DHHS will continue to issue COVID-19 updates 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
· DHHS Announces New Presumptive Positive Cases of COVID-19
DHHS has announced six new presumptive positive test results for COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus. This brings the total in New Hampshire to 13 cases. The affected persons are adults, 4 females and 2 males, and all have traveled to domestic or international locations. Five live in Rockingham County and one lives in the city of Nashua in Hillsborough County.
Governor Chris Sununu today issued Executive Order 2020-04, which will transition all K-12 public schools to remote instruction and support beginning Monday, March 16, through Friday, April 3, 2020. Schools will be closed to students beginning March 16 to allow districts to develop a remote instruction and remote support capacity in order to transition to remote learning no later than Monday, March 23. The Department of Education will provide guidance and support to school districts as they work to develop their plans.
· DHHS Recommends Child Care Centers to Remain Open
DHHS recommends that child care centers remain open. The DHHS Child Care Licensing Uint will contact licensed child care providers on March 16 to work together to address the Governor’s Executive Order issued today.
· CDC Guidance for Pregnant Women, New Mothers and Infants
Pregnant women and new mothers should exercise the same universal precautions for preventing the spread of COVID-19. The best way to prevent illness is to avoid exposure. The CDC has guidance on precautions people can take to keep themselves and their families healthy, including staying home when ill, frequent handwashing, avoiding being within six feet (close contact) of a person who is sick, and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces.
New Hampshire 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Summary Report
(updated March 15, 2020, 9:00 a.m.)
|
NH Persons with COVID-191 |
13 |
|
Persons with Test Pending at NH PHL2 |
95 |
|
Total Persons Tested at NH PHL3 |
379 |
|
Persons Being Monitored in NH (approximate point in time) |
450 |
1Includes specimens presumptive-positive at any laboratory and those confirmed by CDC confirmatory testing.
2Includes specimens received and awaiting testing at NH Public Health Laboratories (PHL).
3Includes specimens sent to CDC prior t 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
· Governor Chris Sununu Declares State of Emergency, Opens Emergency Operations Center in Concord
· DHHS announces new positive test result of COVID-19
· DHHS announces increased testing capacity and new guidance to medical providers on testing for COVID-19
· New guidelines issued by CDC around non-essential domestic or international travel
NH DHHS 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.