7 More Deaths; 6 More Children Infected With Coronavirus In NH

CONCORD, NH — Another seven people, five connected to long-term care facilities, have died due to the new coronavirus, according to the State Joint Information Center, bringing the fatality count to 121 in New Hampshire.

The state announced the deaths of the five men and two women who are all 60 years or older Friday. Three of the victims lived in both Hillsborough and Rockingham counties while one lived in Merrimack.

"We offer our sympathies to the family and friends," the state said.

Another 104 patients testing positive was also announced bringing the accumulative infection caseload to 2,947. About 41 percent or 1,210 have recovered from the virus while the state has 1,616 active cases.

The latest accumulative infection map released May 8. Credit: NH DHHS

Officials performing contact tracing investigations still have open cases on some of the new patients but the state reported that six are children, 52 percent were women, while 48 percent were men. Sixty-seven of the new cases reside in Hillsborough County while 16 live in Rockingham County and seven more cases were reported in Merrimack County. The residency of seven new cases has yet to be determined.

Eight of the new cases have no identified risk factors while most of the remaining cases have either traveled or been in contact with someone with a confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis.

Only one of the new cases needed hospitalization, according to the state. There are currently 112 people in the hospital being treated for COVID-19.

About 3,075 people are under public health monitoring with 29,351 testing negative at either state and commercial labs. More than 300 tests are pending.

The latest current infection map released May 8. Credit: NH DHHS

Other Info

Gov. Chris Sununu issued Exhibits E and F to Emergency Order #29 as part of the state's efforts to respond to COVID-19: Exhibit E: Temporary modification of certain deadlines of the Fire Standards and Training Commission; Exhibit F: Temporary modification of certain statutory deadlines of the New Hampshire Insurance Department.

On Monday, May 11, Jerry Little, the executive director of the Governor’s Office For Emergency Relief and Recovery (GOFERR), will hold a meeting of the Bipartisan Legislative Advisory Board at 1 p.m. Call-in: 800-356-8278; PIN: 389388.

350,00 Thank You Meals

McDonald's Restaurants across New England served nearly 350,000 free "Thank You Meals" to first responders as a way of giving thanks.

Across the country, 10 million free meals were served to nurses, doctors, firefighters, police officers, and others at a value of about $50 million.

"As local business owners, we knew that our communities needed us now more than ever and we were committed to serving them," said owner/operator Michael Gambino. "We are proud to be able support our neighbors who are on the frontlines as first responders and healthcare workers with these Thank You Meals."

Chambers Request Liability Protections

The Business and Industry Association, the state's chamber of commerce, as well as close to two dozen other chambers and trade organizations, requested Sununu issue an emergency order to create a legal safe harbor for employers to protect them from COVID 19 related liability litigation.

"Absent such protection, business of all shapes and sizes will be deterred from reopening or returning to pre-pandemic operations, slowing New Hampshire’s economic recovery," the letter stated.

The letter suggests the governor use language recently drafted by BIA "as a foundation for your emergency order."

Learn More About 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.
• Anybody who is told to self-quarantine and stay at home due to exposure to a person with confirmed or suspect COVID-19 needs to stay home and not go out into public places.
• If you are 60 years or older or have chronic medical conditions, you need to stay home and not go out.
• Avoid gatherings of 10 people or more.
• Employers need to move to telework as much as possible.
• There is increasing evidence that this virus can survive for hours or possibly even a few days on surfaces, so 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 when sick (i.e., social distancing).
• 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.

ALSO READ:

• NH Governor: Dentists Can Open May 11; Antibody Testing Begins
• 2,200 Request Access To Coronavirus Tests Via New NH Portal
• NH Task Force Hears Reopening Challenges From Performing Arts, Massage Industry
• Feltes, Volinsky, And Sununu Clash On ConvenientMD Contract
• NH Coronavirus: Nearly 12,000 More File For Unemployment Benefits

Got a news tip? Send it to tony.schinella@patch.com. View videos on Tony Schinella's YouTube channel.