WNTK Local News

44 patients in New Hampshire have tested positive for the coronavirus, reports Info NH via their Facebook page.

On Thursday, the NH Department of Health and Human Services announced five new confirmed cases, raising the number of currently known patients from 39 to 44. The individuals reside in Belknap, Grafton, Merrimack, and Rockingham counties. All individuals either have returned from effected domestic or international locations, or come into contact with a confirmed COVID-19 patient. All are experiencing mild symptoms and quarantining appropriately.

To this point, 1420 residents have been tested, 631 results are pending, and 575 residents are being monitored.

Two Vermont residents have died due to COVID-19, reports WCAX.

On Thursday, VT Governor Phil Scott and VT Health Commissioner Dr. Mark Levine announced at a press conference that two elderly VT citizens who had tested positive for the coronavirus have been announced dead. One was a man from Windsor County who was being treated at the VA Medical Center, and the other a woman who resided at Burlington Health and Rehab.

These are the first two COVID-19 related deaths in VT.

A Royalton, Vermont man has been charged following a fatal shooting on VT Route 14, reports MyNBC 5.

29-year-old Francis Phelps reportedly entered a home, shooting two men inside leaving one dead and one injured. The deceased victim has been identified as George Sun, 41, of Royalton. The injured man was transported to Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, New Hampshire to be treated in the ICU. Phelps is being charged with second-degree murder, aggravated assault with a weapon, and possession of a firearm.

He was arraigned Wednesday afternoon in Vermont Superior Court in White River Junction, VT.

Valley Regional Healthcare in Claremont, New Hampshire has been notified that a patient tested positive for COVID-19 in their facility, reports The Eagle Times.

Valley Regional was notified by the Department of Health and Human Services. According to the hospital’s press release, “”All proper precautions were taken with this patient to ensure the least amount of risk to our colleagues, patients, and visitors,” the press release states. “The team was prepared to care for this patient, followed protocols appropriately and our preparedness efforts around the virus are in line with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and DHHS guidelines.”

If you begin to experience a fever or lower respiratory symptoms, please call Valley Regional’s COVID-19 line at 603-542-7850.

Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center has begun a no-visitor policy due to the COVID-19 outbreak, reports Ink Link Manchester.

Beginning on Wednesday, March 18, 2020, all DHMC facilities can no longer accept visitors. This rule extends to the cafe, clinics, emergency departments, general waiting areas, and patient rooms. Exceptions to this rule may include partners or spouses of Birthing Pavillion patients, the neonatal ICU, or those visiting patients receiving end-of-life care. This has been implemented as another way to slow the spread of the coronavirus.

DHMC states, “We understand the important role that visitors play in the healing process and this decision will be difficult for patients, their families, and friends. This decision was made to preserve the ongoing wellness of our patients and staff.”

This rules to all facilities in NH under the DHMC banner. 

New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu has announced new emergency orders to help the public during the COVID-19 outbreak, reports WMUR.

He announced that effective immediately utility providers in the state cannot disconnect homes during the current emergency. This includes; cable, electricity, gas, other fuels, internet, and water. Sununu also reported that evictions and foreclosures are temporarily prohibited.

Temporary unemployment benefits are now available to those under the following; if your employer closes due to COVID-19, individuals directed to self-quarantine, individuals caring for a quarantined citizen, those caring for a dependent due to school closings and childcare facility closures, self-employed individuals who cannot do their work due to the virus.

Citizens will need to apply for week-to-week benefits at http://www.nhes.gov or 603-271-7700.

The Lebanon, New Hampshire Police Department have arrested a Hartford, Vermont man for public scare, reports The Union Leader.

Tuesday morning, police were notified of a man on a local bus claiming to have COVID-19. These claims forced the bus to evacuate all passengers and the driver leaving David Landeau, 65, on-board to await the police’s arrival. Once questioned, Landeau told police he did not have the coronavirus, making his claims false. At this time police do not know why he made the claim.

He is free on personal recognizance bail and will face the charge of creating a false public alarm and disorderly conduct in court in July.

The Enfield, New Hampshire Police Department have announced temporary changes to non-emergency phone call procedure via press release.

Firstly, they are suspending VIN verification and fingerprinting. Also, the front administration lobby will be open to appointment only so citizens will need to call ahead for their needs at 603-632-7501. Officer’s at the department will be practicing social distancing when appropriate and using protective equipment as needed. You can reach the Enfield PD by calling their Dispatch Center at 603-643-2222.

For emergencies, call 9-1-1.

At a town meeting on Saturday, Walpole, New Hampshire voted to ban the sale or distribution of single-use plastic bags and to install high speed internet service in town, reports the Sentinel Source.

Fall Mountain High School Students Sydney Curven and Ruby Frithsen students led the bag ban movement, gathering over 160 signatures. These signatures made it possible to bring the ban to the meeting under citizen’s petition. The motion will go effect after one year, in order to give shop owners the time to conform.

The high-speed internet service was voted in by a paper vote of 135-2. $3.2 million will be appropriated to install a “fiber-to-the-premises” network giving the option for high speed internet to all business and homes in town.

Approximately 140 citizens voted through all 12 articles at the town meeting in under two hours.

North Springfield, Vermont’s Route 106 North Market & Deli has released a statement addressing changes due to the COVID-19 outbreak, reports The Vermont Journal.

They say the changes are to make the store a safer environment and to comply with VT Department of Health guidelines. Route 106 states that due to possible concerns of entering stores, “Any customer “Any customer with these concerns can call in an order for pickup and we will bring it to your car. Please call ahead, and we will give you a pickup time that is convenient for both of us.”

They can be reached at 802-886-3354.