The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Safety have announced 44 new cases of the coronavirus and the state’s third COVID-19 related death, according to WMUR.
25 of the new cases are women, with the other 19 being men. Rockingham County continues to have the highest numbers of cases in the state, claiming 14 of the new positive tests. The women who passed was above the age of 60 with a prior condition, living in Rockingham County.
Five of the new patients have been hospitalized.
Beginning at noon on Monday, March 30, 2020, all tolls in the state of New Hampshire are switching to exact change or EZ Pass, reports Patch.
The change is to try to slow the spread of the coronavirus in the state. Also, toll booths will only be staffed between the hours of 5 AM and 9 PM, due to reduced traffic flow. If a driver does not have exact change or EZ Pass, the toll attendant will explain payment options.
To avoid a fine, the unpaid toll can be paid online within seven days of the transaction at http://www.ezpassnh.com or over the phone at 877-643-9727.
As of Saturday, March 28, 2020, New Hampshire has seen a total of 214 coronavirus positive tests, reports WMUR.
On Satuday, the Department of Health and Human Services reported 27 new positive cases in the state. 17 patients were women, the remaining nine were men. Of the nine, one was a boy under the age of 18. Eight of the patients were not from at-risk communities, showing community transmission was the cause of their positive cases. Currently, there are 33 hospitalized coronavirus patients in the state.
There have only been two confirmed deaths at this time.
The state of Vermont has expanded their COVID-19 testing to include those with mild symptoms, reports WCAX.
Due to a shortage of test kits until now, medical personnel have limited testing to only those with clear and obvious symptoms, or those who are in high risk groups. With expanded testing capacity, more people can now be tested.
To obtain a test you must go through your doctor, and tests are only for those experiencing coronavirus symptoms at a mild or moderate level.
Multiple colleges around New Hampshire have now postponed commencement ceremonies due to the COVID-19 outbreak, reports WMUR.
Currently, Keene State College, Plymouth State University, Southern New Hampshire University and the University of New Hampshire, who’s ceremony was scheduled for May 16, have all been postponed. In a letter, UNH explained that, “we are cancelling Honors Convocation and postponing Commencement to a future date.” Some are yet to postpone however.
Granite State College is currently mulling options and Dartmouth College, who’s commencement is currently scheduled for June 14, have not yet moved the ceremony.
In a letter to school board members Wednesday, Windsor Central Union School District superintendent Mary Beth Banios announced that she is stepping down, reports Mountain Times.
Banios is leaving the district after accepting the same position at the Hamilton-Wenham Regional School District in Wenham, Massachusetts. She will be starting this new job on July 1, 2020. Banios states that she, “deeply appreciated the opportunity to serve the district over the past three years, and have great respect for all the invested and committed individuals who are working so hard on behalf of our students.”
The district includes Reading Elementary, Barnard Academy, Killington Elementary, Woodstock Elementary, and Woodstock Union Middle High.
New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu has issued a statewide ‘stay at home’ order, reports WMUR.
At a Thursday afternoon press conference, Sununu stated that all non-essential businesses are to close as of Friday at 11:59 PM.
Business types expected to close are; non-essential retail stores and malls, barbershops, hair salons, tattoo parlors, cosmetic stores, movie theaters, bowling alleys, arcades, sporting events, concerts, festivals, and all state beaches on NH’s Seacoast.
Businesses that can remain open include; banks, credit unions, doctor’s offices, hospitals, grocery and convenience stores, pharmacies, gas stations, takeout/delivery restaurants, and school lunch delivery programs.
Remote learning and the order will extend until May 4, with the possibility to go longer.
Dartmouth-Hitchcock has issued a request for personal protective equipment donations, reports NH Business Review.
The several healthcare facilities under the DH umbrella are looking for; masks, face shields, isolation gowns, gloves, and hand sanitizer. According to CEO Joanne M. Conroy, “no donation is too small.”
Donations can be dropped at the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Service Center building in Lebanon, NH. Drop-off items will be accepted from 7 AM to 3:30 PM Monday through Friday, and 9 AM to 2:30 PM on the weekend.
To arrange for alternative drop-off sites, call Dave Coombs at 603-650-4217.
Vermont Governor Phil Scott has issued a statewide ‘stay at home order’, reports WCAX.
At a press conference Wednesday morning, Scott gave the order that starting at 5 PM, VT citizens are to stay home, leaving only for emergency to slow the spread of coronavirus. Exemptions from this order include; critical manufacturing, healthcare workers, grocery stores, gas stations, restaurants that provide delivery or curbside pickup, and news media. All non-essential businesses are to close. Outdoor activities are listed as acceptable, but Scott says to continue practicing social distancing. VT is up to 123 COVID-19 cases, with eight deaths.
The current order is in effect until April 15, with the possibility to extend further.
According to the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services, a COVID-19 positive patient took four Concord Coach bus trips earlier in March, reports WMUR.
The man allegedly traveled on; March 11 at 3:15 AM from Concord to Boston, returning on March 13 on the 5:40 PM bus, then March 14 at 5 AM from Concord to Boston, returning March 16 on the 1:40 PM route. Anyone who rode on these buses are at risk of contracting the coronavirus, and should stay home to monitor their health.
Bus riders who later fell victim to COVID-19’s symptoms need to avoid people and contact their healthcare providers.
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