- Details
- Written by Patrick R. McElhiney
- Category: Articles
Concord, NH – The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has issued the following update on the new coronavirus, COVID-19.
On Friday, April 3, 2020, DHHS announced 61 new positive test results for COVID-19. There have now been 540 cases of COVID-19 diagnosed in New Hampshire. The new cases are 40 adult females and 21 adult males. The new cases reside in Rockingham (20), Hillsborough County other than Manchester and Nashua (12), Belknap (3), Merrimack (3), Carroll (1), Cheshire (1), Coos (1), and Strafford (1) counties, and in the cities of Manchester (11) and Nashua (8). This marks the first confirmed case in Coos County. Seven of the new cases were hospitalized for their illness; thus far, 80 (15%) of the 540 positive cases have been hospitalized. Twenty-one of the new cases have no identified risk factors. Community-based transmission continues to increase in the State and has been identified in all counties with cases. Most of the remaining cases have either had travel to domestic or international locations or have had close contact with a person with a confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis.
DHHS has also announced two additional deaths related to COVID-19. These people were one male and one female, both residents of Hillsborough County who were over 60 years old. We offer our sympathies to the family and friends.
|
New Hampshire 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Summary Report
(data updated April 3, 2020, 9:00 AM)
|
NH Persons with COVID-191 |
540 |
|
Recovered |
144 (27%) |
|
Deaths Attributed to COVID-19 |
7 (1%) |
|
Total Current COVID-19 Cases |
389 |
|
Persons Who Have Been Hospitalized for COVID-19 |
80 (15%) |
|
Persons Tested Negative at Selected Laboratories2 |
6,965 |
|
Persons with Specimens Submitted to NH PHL |
3,813 |
|
Persons with Test Pending at NH PHL3 |
94 |
|
Persons Being Monitored in NH (approximate point in time) |
1,775 |
1Includes specimens presumptive-positive at any laboratory and those confirmed by CDC confirmatory testing.
2Includes specimens tested at the NH Public Health Laboratories (PHL), LabCorp, Quest, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, and those sent to CDC prior to NH PHL testing capacity.
3Includes specimens received and awaiting testing at NH PHL. Does not include tests pending at commercial laboratories.
NH DHHS Daily Update on COVID-19 Archive
For more information, please visit the DHHS COVID-19 webpage at https://www.nh.gov/covid19.
- Details
- Written by Patrick R. McElhiney
- Category: Articles
DURHAM, N.H.— In an effort to support healthcare facilities in surrounding communities and neighboring states, the University of the New Hampshire has fired up 3D printers, usually used as teaching tools, to help make much needed medical parts as well as prepared its recreation facility to serve as a potential overflow space for hospitals focusing on care for critically ill COVID-19 patients.
UNH has shifted into production mode switching over research 3D printers to manufacture plastic headbands that are being used to assemble vital medical face shields that are worn by healthcare workers. Over a dozen 3D printers have already made more than 300 of the essential headbands that go around the forehead and hold the clear plastic face shield in place.
“Everyone at UNH involved is really proud to be a part of this effort,” said Shawn Banker, director of UNH’s University Instrumentation Center. “In the midst of all that is going on, it feels very positive to be able to use our resources to help make something that is desperately needed and will aid the doctors and nurses on the front lines treating patients with the coronavirus. It means a lot to everyone.”
Since students, faculty and researchers are working remotely, along with some printers on the Durham and Manchester campuses, many 3D printers were moved to home offices and garages to help with the cause. At present, there are 15 printers being operated by eight UNH staff as well as one UNH alum who are all actively making parts. They are producing about 40 to 50 headbands a day with the hope of increasing that number with more printers.
The UNH printing effort is being coordinated through the University Instrumentation Center which responded to a request from Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, in Kittery, Maine. A team at the shipyard, which is also printing 3D parts are attaching the headbands to shields and distributing the assembled masks to seacoast area hospitals and medical facilities in New Hampshire, Maine and Massachusetts and the Town of Kittery in Maine.
UNH’s Hamel Recreation Center has been converted to help with medical needs and used as a potential overflow and quarantine facility in preparation for an anticipated surge in COVID-19 cases. At the request of Governor Chris Sununu & N.H. Department of Health and Human Services, and in partnership with the N.H. National Guard, the gym at the center was transformed to accommodate 250 patients. The space will be used for patients who have already had medical care at a local hospital but need a few more recovery days before going home, freeing up hospital beds. UNH is also offering resources in support of drive-thru UNH Dining to provide meals to those on campus.
UNH has donated more than 45,000 pairs of gloves, nearly 11,000 surgical masks, 216 protective gowns, 4,800 N-95 respirators and 38 Tyvek suits and donated the personal protective equipment (PPE) to health care facilities. Laboratory equipment is being made available to medical personnel as they work to combat the virus, particularly with regard to ramping up the state's testing capacity.
UNH’s University Instrumentation Center (UIC) supports the research, teaching, and engagement missions of UNH by providing access to the best analytical instruments, scientists, and engineers.
Some of the raw materials used for the 3D printer operating in the UNHInnovation Makerspace were purchased with a donation from the Patten Family Foundation.
The University of New Hampshire inspires innovation and transforms lives in our state, nation, and world. More than 16,000 students from all 50 states and 71 countries engage with an award-winning faculty in top-ranked programs in business, engineering, law, health, and human services, liberal arts and the sciences across more than 200 programs of study. As one of the nation’s highest-performing research universities, UNH partners with NASA, NOAA, NSF and NIH, and receives more than $110 million in competitive external funding every year to further explore and define the frontiers of land, sea and space.
- Details
- Written by Patrick R. McElhiney
- Category: Articles
Due to concern for the health and safety of its customers and staff during the COVID-19 pandemic, the New Hampshire Division of Motor Vehicles has transitioned to phone and online services and appointment only walk-in services consolidated to five locations: Concord, Dover, Manchester, Newport, and Twin Mountain.
Please carefully review the available services listed below:
Driver Licenses
· Non-CDL driving road tests, as well as motorcycle testing, will not be conducted for the duration of the Stay at Home Order.
· All CDL related transactions can be conducted by appointment only. Call 227-4000 to schedule an appointment
· Customers whose licenses have expired or are set to expire between April 1, 2020, and May 31, 2020 may apply for a 6-month license extension. Call 227-4020 to apply for the 6-month license extension over the phone
· REAL ID compliance deadline has been extended until October, 2021. REAL ID transactions will not be conducted for the duration of the Stay at Home Order.
Vehicle Registrations
· Existing vehicle registrations are renewed by your city or town clerk’s office. Please visit your town website or call your local town clerk’s office for vehicle registration renewal options.
· NH DMV 20-day plates as well as NH authorized dealer 20-day plates, issued on or after February 26, 2020, have been given an automatic extension through April 30, 2020.
Drop box services are available Monday through Friday from 8 am until 4:15 pm at the following locations: Concord, Dover, Manchester, Newport, and Twin Mountain.
For all other transactions, please call DMV customer service at 227-4000 to determine the availability of services.
Customers should take advantage of the DMV’s online services, including online driver license renewal, ID renewals, and online ticket pay at www.nh.gov/dmv.
- Details
- Written by Patrick R. McElhiney
- Category: Articles
Over $4 Million in Funding Available to New Hampshire
CONCORD – The Department of Justice announced that it is making $850 million available to help public safety agencies respond to the challenges posed by the outbreak of COVID-19. The Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding program, authorized by the recent stimulus legislation signed by President Trump will allow eligible state, local and tribal governments to apply immediately for these critical funds. The department is moving quickly to make awards, with the goal of having funds available for drawdown within days of the award.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has created new challenges for the dedicated men and women who maintain public safety in New Hampshire,” said Scott W. Murray, the United States Attorney for the District of New Hampshire. “Our police and other public safety officers continue to answer the call to duty regardless of the dangers they face from the virus. This funding can provide the necessary financial support to help the law enforcement professionals in New Hampshire who engage in the important work of protecting the safety of the citizens of Granite State.”
“This is an unprecedented moment in our nation’s history and an especially dangerous one for our front-line law enforcement officers, corrections officials, and public safety professionals” said Office of Justice Programs Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Katharine T. Sullivan. “We are grateful to the Congress for making these resources available and for the show of support this program represents.”
The solicitation, posted by the Bureau of Justice Assistance in the Justice Department’s Office of Justice Programs (OJP), will remain open for at least 60 days and be extended as necessary. OJP will fund successful applicants as a top priority on a rolling basis as applications are received. Funds may be used to hire personnel, pay overtime costs, cover protective equipment and supplies, address correctional inmates’ medical needs and defray expenses related to the distribution of resources to hard-hit areas, among other activities. Grant funds may be applied retroactively to Jan. 20, 2020, subject to federal supplanting rules.
Agencies that were eligible for the fiscal year 2019 State and Local Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program are candidates for this emergency funding. A complete list of eligible jurisdictions and their allocations can be found at https://bja.ojp.gov/program/fy20-cesf-allocations. Many municipalities and counties in New Hampshire are eligible to apply for over $1.2 million in funding. The State of New Hampshire also will be eligible for over $3.4 million in additional funding.
For more information about the Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding program, please visit https://bja.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/bja-2020-18553. For more information about the Office of Justice Programs, please visit https://www.ojp.gov/.
The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.
Page 11 of 77