Posted on by Bonnie

COVID-19 Update 17 January 2022

When I posted the update for January 10 on Facebook, I neglected to update the link, so it still went to the January 3rd page.

No one seemed to notice. So, I’m not sure anyone is reading this on the website anymore.

As an experiment, I’m going to keep the January 3 link for a few weeks to decide if I should keep doing the full update, or if the condensed, Facebook summary, is enough. 

Please let me know!
Is the summary I’m posting on Facebook enough? If you want the full update to continue, please let me know.

COVID-19 Update 17 January 2022

Today is Martin Luther King Day. NH DHHS did not provide numbers today, so this update is not as complete as I would like it to be. Most recent numbers are from last Friday.

SALEM:

  • 1 out of every 5 Salem residents have had confirmed infections. (Last week was 1:6)
  • Salem since last update: 255 new cases reported Friday
  • Total: 5,644 confirmed cases in Salem.
  • We had 391 active cases on Friday. (Salem’s all-time peak was Thursday, with 419 active cases)
  • Salem’s Positivity Rate for the past 7 days: 26.6% (25.3% last week.) 
  • Fully vaccinated Salem residents: 49.8% (+16 people from Monday – Friday). 

NEW HAMPSHIRE:

  • New cases of COVID-19 in NH this week by math (Friday to Friday) 21,326 (19,850 last week – Monday to Monday)
  • 1 out of every 6 NH residents has been infected.
  • Active COVID-19 cases in NH: 21,291 on Friday (17,208 last week). There were 155 active cases on June 28. Before the recent surge, we peaked one year ago, last December 27, at 6,994. Starting November 18, we have broken that record multiple times, peaking Thursday at 22,750
  • Recovered in NH this week: 8,164 (11,373 last week.)
  • State Level of Transmission: Substantial in all counties 
  • New patients hospitalized this week because of COVID-19: 163 (Mon-Fri) (77 last week Mon-Mon)
  • Current patients hospitalized because of COVID-19: 426 on Friday (377 last week)
  • New admissions to ICU this week because of COVID-19: 2 as of Friday (11 last week)
  • New deaths attributed to COVID-19 reported in NH this week: 52 from Monday – Friday (54 last week)
  • CDC, as reported by WMUR, claims that NH has 68.56% of our population fully vaccinated, the lowest of all New England states.

If you test positive using an at-home test, self-report your positive test result by calling 603-271-6996. 

Hello, Salem!

Random thoughts from this week:

I’m planning to continue the update summary on Facebook, but I’m questioning if it’s still worth the time to create the full update. If you do come to the website for the full update, please let me know what you are looking for. You can reach me here or by FB’s Messenger.

N95 or KN95 are in; cloth masks are out. New mask recommendations are here.

Did the NH House of Representatives just hold a superspreader event? Story here.

NH DHHS did not report any deaths on Wednesday, January 12. The last time I see a date without any deaths reported was in early October. While zero is possible, it does seem unlikely.

19 deaths were reported the following day, and 28 deaths were reported on the Friday. Was Wednesday a delay in reporting to NHDHHS? Or a delay in reporting by NHDHHS? 

These numbers do not allow for those who self-diagnosed, or who have taken at-home tests. If you test positive using an at-home test, self-report your positive test result by calling 603-271-6996. 

The risk of COVID complications is being more understood by scientists. It’s at least partly genetic. 23&Me includes blood types and non-genetic associations for COVID-19 here.

Per the latest report I am able to find, the Delta variant continues to be the dominant strain in NH. As of Friday, January 7, of those cases which have been sampled, NH had only had a total of 61 identified cases of Omicron, and 4,597 cases of Delta. From Thursday, December 30 to Friday January 7, 377 new Delta cases were identified compared to 48 new cases of Omicron.

Deltacron: A new COVID-19 variant that combines the omicron and delta variants appears to be a false concern … for now … “but it is not impossible. The best way to reduce the chances of variants merging to form recombinant variants is to drive down community infection numbers.” Multiple stories can be found, including this one.

My next update is scheduled for next Monday. In the meantime, be smart, stay safe, and always, be kind. 

~Bonnie 

On Tuesday, January 11, 2022, DHHS announced 1,627 new positive test results for COVID-19 for Monday, January 10. Today’s results include 1,089 people who tested positive by PCR test and 538 who tested positive by antigen test. DHHS also announced an additional 107 new cases from Monday, January 3 (9 by PCR and 98 by antigen test, for a new total of 1,734); an additional 214 new cases from Tuesday, January 4 (86 by PCR and 128 by antigen test, for a new total of 2,345); an additional 257 new cases from Wednesday, January 5 (75 by PCR and 182 by antigen test, for a new total of 2,729); an additional 33 new cases from Thursday, January 6 (1 by PCR and 32 by antigen test, for a new total of 2,196); an additional 170 new cases from Friday, January 7 (33 by PCR and 137 by antigen test, for a new total of 2,751); an additional 29 new cases from Saturday, January 8 (17 by PCR and 12 by antigen test, for a new total of 3,296); and an additional 26 new cases from Sunday, January, 9 (21 by PCR and 5 by antigen test, for a new total of 2,731). There are now 18,079 current COVID-19 cases diagnosed in New Hampshire. 

On Tuesday, DHHS also announced two previous deaths. Both were women aged over 70. One occurred during the week of December 13, and one during the week of December 20. Neither were in Rockingham County.

On Wednesday, January 12, 2022, DHHS announced 2,438 new positive test results for COVID-19 for Tuesday, January 11. Today’s results include 1,489 people who tested positive by PCR test and 949 who tested positive by antigen test. DHHS also announced an additional 291 new cases from Tuesday, January 4 (82 by PCR and 209 by antigen test) for a new total of 2,636; an additional 303 new cases from Wednesday, January 5 (101 by PCR and 202 by antigen test) for a new total of 3,033; an additional 46 new cases from Thursday, January 6 (35 by PCR and 11 by antigen test) for a new total of 2,242; an additional 10 new cases from Friday, January 7 (2 by PCR and 8 by antigen test) for a new total of 2,760; an additional 47 new cases from Saturday, January 8 (26 by PCR and 21 by antigen test) for a new total of 3,344; an additional 56 new cases from Sunday, January 9 (51 by PCR and 5 by antigen test) for a new total of 2,787; and an additional 39 new cases from Monday, January 10 (6 by PCR and 33 by antigen test) for a new total of 1,666. There are now 20,458 current COVID-19 cases diagnosed in New Hampshire. 

On Thursday, January 13, 2022, DHHS announced 3,818 new positive test results for COVID-19 for Wednesday, January 12. Today’s results include 2,846 people who tested positive by PCR test and 972 who tested positive by antigen test. DHHS also announced an additional 34 new cases from Wednesday, January 5 (9 by PCR and 25 by antigen test) for a new total of 3,067; an additional 116 new cases from Thursday, January 6 (27 by PCR and 89 by antigen test) for a new total of 2,358; an additional 14 new cases from Friday, January 7 (10 by PCR and 4 by antigen test) for a new total of 2,773; an additional 2 new cases from Saturday, January 8 (0 by PCR and 2 by antigen test) for a new total of 3,346; an additional 37 new cases from Sunday, January 9 (1 by PCR and 36 by antigen test) for a new total of 2,824; an additional 3 new cases from Monday, January 10 (0 by PCR and 3 by antigen test) for a new total of 1,669; and an additional 51 new cases from Tuesday, January 11 (2 by PCR and 49 by antigen test) for a new total of 2,489.  There are now 22,750 current COVID-19 cases diagnosed in New Hampshire. 

On Friday, January 14, 2022, DHHS announced 2,177 new positive test results for COVID-19 for Thursday, January 13. Today’s results include 1,826 people who tested positive by PCR test and 351 who tested positive by antigen test. DHHS also announced an additional 33 new cases from Wednesday, January 5 (17 by PCR and 16 by antigen test) for a new total of 3,100; an additional 126 new cases from Thursday, January 6 (58 by PCR and 68 by antigen test) for a new total of 2,484; an additional 23 new cases from Friday, January 7 (9 by PCR and 14 by antigen test) for a new total of 2,796; an additional 1 new case from Saturday, January 8 (0 by PCR and 1 by antigen test) for a new total of 3,347; an additional 3 new cases from Monday, January 10 (0 by PCR and 3 by antigen test) for a new total of 1,672; an additional 3 new cases from Tuesday, January 11 (1 by PCR and 2 by antigen test) for a new total of 2,492; and an additional 8 new cases from Wednesday, January 12 (0 by PCR and 8 by antigen test) for a new total of 3,826. There are now 21,291 current COVID-19 cases diagnosed in New Hampshire. 

There has not been a weekend update from NH DHHS since June 5. They did not issue an update today, as they observed Martin Luther King day. Therefore our most recent information is from Friday.

Each day, DHHS says that “Test results for previous days are still being processed and updated case counts for prior days will be reflected on the COVID-19 interactive dashboard.” And, “Several cases are still under investigation. Additionalinformation from ongoing investigations will be incorporated into future COVID-19 updates.” 

• • • • • • POTENTIAL FLAWS IN COUNTS • • • • • • 

These numbers do not allow for those who self-diagnosed, or who have taken at-home tests. If you test positive using an at-home test, self-report your positive test result by calling 603-271-6996. 

• • • • • •  DIAGNOSTIC TESTS IN NH — CUMULATIVE CASES  • • • • • • 

  • Total people who have tested positive: 235,898 on Friday (223,599 last week) 
  • New positive cases reported this week by math (Comparison of total number of cases last week to now): 21,326 from Friday – Friday (19,850 last week)
  • 1 out of every 5 Salem residents has been infected. (1:6 last week)
  • 1 out of every 6 residents of Rockingham County. (1:7 two weeks ago)
  • 1 out of every 6 residents of NH have been infected. 1:7 two weeks ago

• • • • • ACTIVE CASES • • • • • • 

  • 21,291 on Friday (17,208 last week) on Monday. 
  • In 2020, we peaked at 6,994 active cases on December 27,
  • In 2021, we were down to 155 active cases on June 28, 2021. 
  • Starting November 18, 2021, we broken the record from 2020 multiple times, peaking on December 9 at 10,648 cases, a 52.2% increase from December 2020. 
  • In 2022, we broke the 2021 record every day from Wednesday, January 5 to Thursday, January 13, peaking at 22,750, a 114% increase from the 2021 peak, and a 225% increase from the 2020 peak.

• • • • • • RECOVERED • • • • • •

  • Total recovered: 212,528 as of Friday (204,364 last week)

• • • • • COMMUNITY TRANSMISSION • • • • • • 

  • Every county in NH, as well as Manchester and Nashua, are at Substantial risk for community transmission. 
  • Positivity Rate for NH: 26.0% on Friday (20.4% last week.) On June 28, NH’s positivity was at 0.8%. The peak before the recent surge, was December 22, 2021, when NH had a positivity rate of 9.2%. 
  • Salem’s Positivity Rate was 26.6% on Friday, Last week we were at 25.3%.
  • Positivity rates do not allow for those who self-diagnosed, or who have taken at-home tests.

• • • • • • HOSPITALIZATIONS IN NH • • • • • • 

  • Currently hospitalized: 426 as of Friday (Last week: 377). NH’s previous peak before the recent surge was reached on January 2, 2021, with 335 COVID hospitalizations. We have broken that record a number of times lately. December 10, 2021 was the most recent peak at 466.
  • Staffed hospital beds available: 10.6% on Friday. (10.9% last week)
  • Total patients who have been hospitalized with COVID-19: 2,976 (2,935 last week) 
  • New patients hospitalized this week because of COVID-19: 49 (Mon-Fri). (77 last week)
  • Total ICU patients: 830
  • New admissions to ICU this week because of COVID-19: 2 (Mon-Fri) (18 last week)
  • Staffed adult ICU beds available: 5.8% on Friday. (Last week: 8.9%.)
  • NY Times reports that Parkland (Derry) has 1 ICU bed available, CMC in Manchester has 2, Elliot Hospital (Manchester) has 0, and Concord Hospital has 2 beds available. Nashua, Methuen, Lawrence and Lowell each have 0-2 ICU beds available.
  • Ventilators available: 75.9% on Friday (76.2% last week)
  • Per WMUR: 45.7% of NH hospitalizations are unvaccinated, 22.6% are fully up-to-date; 17.8% are partially up-to-date, and 13.9% are unknown vaccine status.

• • • • • • DEATHS IN NH • • • • • • 

  • Total fatalities in NH associated with COVID-19: 2,079 as of Friday (2,027 last week)
  • New deaths attributed to COVID-19 reported in NH this week: 52 (Mon-Fri) (Last week 54)

• • • • • • TOTALS BY AGES • • • • • •

New Infections in the Past 4 Weeks vs. All NH Cases 

  • 0-9: 16.5% vs. 14.5% (+1.7%)
  • 10-19: 19.8% vs. 18% (+2%)
  • 20-29: 16.1% vs. 15.2% (+1.8%)
  • 30-39: 12.1% vs. 12.7% (+0.9%)
  • 40-49: 12.2% vs. 13.7% (-0.6%)
  • 50-59: 7.6% vs. 9.1% (-1.5%)
  • 60-69: 2.9% vs. 4.2% (-1.5%)
  • 70-79: 1.5% vs. 2.9% (-1.3%)
  • 80+: 0.2% vs. 0.1% (-1.4%)

Additional Age Stats

  • 3,279 children under 18 are included in this week’s new cases. (Mon-Fri) (14,275 last week)
  • 21.1% of new cases announced by DHHS this week are kids under 18 years old. (21.7% last week.)

• • • • • • Institutional Outbreaks in NH • • • • • •  

  • NH DHHS reported 37 institutional outbreaks as of Wednesday, January 12. This is an; increase of 8 institutions since last Thursday.
  • I shared several concerns about these numbers being under-reported last week. I’m still not fully convinced that these are completely accurate.
  • In Salem:
    • Salem Haven is reported as having 32 residents, 20 staff and two deaths. Last week they reportedly had 21 residents and 6 staff. Two weeks ago they were reported as having 35 residents and 13 staff infected. Three weeks ago they were reported as having the same as last week.
    • Greystone Farm was added to the list this week, with nine residents and two staff infected.
  • Details about these active outbreaks, and all closed outbreaks, can be seen here.

• • • • • • VARIANTS IN NH • • • • • •  

A percentage of NH’s positive test results are sequenced for the variants. From the reports on WMUR: From Friday (1/7) to Fri (1/14), Delta samples increased by 146, and Omicron increased by 120. However, on Wednesday, Omicron started to outpaced Delta. From Wednesday to Friday, NH sampled 37 Delta and 58 Omicron cases.

Per WMUR, of the positive cases that were sequenced, NH has had:

  • Number of B.1.1.7 variant (Alpha) cases: 1,262 (+3) 
  • Number of B.1.351 variant (Beta) cases: 2 (No change)
  • Number of P.1 variant (Gamma) cases: 203 (No change)
  • Number of B.1.617.2 variant (Delta) cases: 4,743 (4,220 last Monday) 
  • Number of B.1.1.529 variant (Omicron): 181 total (61 last Monday)

These are not simply numbers. We must not forget that these are all someone’s husband or wife, mother or father, sister or brother, son or daughter, friend or neighbor.

Does anyone still look at this calendar? I’m considering phasing it out. Please let me know if you still find it to be valuable.

Which Booster should I get?

Chart based on data at:
https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2021-10-26/which-booster-shot-should-i-get-heres-how-to-chose?

FINDING INFORMATION:

The State lists information on where to get vaccinated, where to get tested, and what to do if you test positive or were exposed to COVID on their website.

COVID-19 SYMPTOMS – Updated early September 2021

Concerns continue to grow for the Delta variant of COVID-19, which now accounts for 93% of all new COVID-19 infections. Descriptions of symptoms have been updated:

Ranking of Symptoms for Covid-19 Infection in the Unvaccinated

  1. Headache
  2. Sore Throat
  3. Runny Nose
  4. Fever
  5. Persistent cough 

Loss of smell now comes in at number 9, and shortness of breath is way down the list at number 30.

Ranking of Symptoms for Covid-19 Infection in the Partially Vaccinated

  1. Headache
  2. Runny Nose
  3. Sore throat
  4. Sneezing
  5. Persistent Cough

Sneezing, which was never thought to be a symptom in the original Covid strain, is now ranked more common than a cough, for a reported symptom in those with only one dose of the vaccine.

Ranking of Symptoms for Covid-19 Infection in the Fully Vaccinated

  1. Headache
  2. Runny Nose
  3. Sneezing
  4. Sore throat
  5. Loss of smell

A cough ranks 8 on the list for fully vaccinated people, and a fever ranks 12. Shortness of breath is way down the list at number 29.

Useful links

Sources used to create these reports:

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