Posted on by Bonnie

COVID-19 Update 24 January 2022

COVID-19 Update 24 January 2022

SALEM:

  • Salem since last update: 716* new cases
  • Total: 6,360 confirmed cases in Salem. Last week: 5,644*
  • Active cases: 260. Last week: 391*
  • 1 out of every 5 Salem residents have had confirmed infections. 
  • Salem’s Positivity Rate for the past 7 days: 17.1% (26.6% last week*.) 
  • Fully vaccinated Salem residents: 49.9% (+46 people since last week*). 

NEW HAMPSHIRE:

  • New cases of COVID-19 in NH this week* by math: 29,242*
  • 1 out of every 5 NH residents has been infected. (1:6 last week)
  • Active COVID-19 cases in NH: 15,641 
  • Recovered in NH this week: 34,826* (11,373 last week.)
  • State Level of Transmission: Substantial in all counties 
  • New patients hospitalized this week because of COVID-19: 76*
  • Current patients hospitalized because of COVID-19: 411
  • New admissions to ICU this week because of COVID-19: 20*
  • New deaths attributed to COVID-19 reported in NH this week: 66*
  • Fully vaccinated NH Residents: 56.3% (+2,590 since last week*)

*Because last Monday was Martin Luther King Day, “last week” was Friday, January 24.

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:

Free N95 masks! Details here.

Free Rapid test kits! Sign up to get yours here.1,000,000 pediatric COVID cases reported. Story here.

Here’s what you should do, if you test positive at home.

Here are some charts that follow the course of a typical Omicron infection, from exposure onward.

Covid-19 live updates: Unvaccinated seniors nearly 50 times more likely to be hospitalized than boosted peers. The CDC figures also indicate that receiving a primary series of coronavirus vaccines sharply reduces the risk of hospitalization for those 65 and older.

And today’s big news: There is a new variant, known as BA.2, which is a mutation of the Omicron variant BA.1. “As far as we know at the moment, it corresponds more or less to the characteristics we know about Omicron”. It is not “a game changer” at this stage. “There is likely to be minimal differences in vaccine effectiveness against BA.1 and BA.2.”

The sub-variant has been detected in at least 43 countries on all continents and is believed to have become the most common variant in a number of countries. 

In Denmark and France, the number of daily cases of Covid-19 has started to rise again, just when they thought they had already reached the peak. Washington State, where BA.2 has been identified, has also had a rise in new cases and hospitalizations.

Stories about BA.2 can be found  here, here and here.

“There Will Be Another Variant. Here’s What the World Can Do Now. “(Note that this story was published January 20. That is the first day I see notice of BA.2. Most of the news about BA.2 was published today, Jan. 24)/

BA.2 is not the only variant/mutation being tracked. You can find a full list of COVID-19 variants of concern, variants and sublineages being tracked on the CDC website.

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

~Bonnie 

On Tuesday, January 18, 2022, DHHS announced 1,785 new positive test results for COVID-19 for Monday, January 17. Today’s results include 1,144 people who tested positive by PCR test and 641 who tested positive by antigen test. DHHS also announced 2,901 cases from Friday, January 14 (1,977 by PCR and 924 by antigen test); 5,511 cases from Saturday, January 15 (4,468 by PCR and 1,043 by antigen test); and 2,800 cases from Sunday, January 16 (2,603 by PCR and 197 by antigen test). Additionally, DHHS announced an additional 227 new cases from Thursday, January 6 (85 by PCR and 142 by antigen test) for a new total of 2,710; an additional 310 new cases from Friday, January 7 (94 by PCR and 216 by antigen test) for a new total of 3,107; an additional 166 new cases from Saturday, January 8 (125 by PCR and 41 by antigen test) for a new total of 3,514; an additional 78 new cases from Sunday, January 9 (22 by PCR and 56 by antigen test) for a new total of 2,902; an additional 184 new cases from Monday, January 10 (14 by PCR and 170 by antigen test) for a new total of 1,856; an additional 317 new cases from Tuesday, January 11 (96 by PCR and 221 by antigen test) for a new total of 2,809; an additional 39 new cases from Wednesday, January 12 (5 by PCR and 34 by antigen test) for a new total of 3,865; and an additional 192 new cases from Thursday, January 13 (146 by PCR and 46 by antigen test) for a new total of 2,369. There are now 20,045 current COVID-19 cases diagnosed in New Hampshire. 

On Tuesday, DHHS also announced three previous deaths: Two from the week of December 20 and one from the week of December 27. All were 60 or older. None were from Rockingham County.

On Wednesday, January 19, 2022, DHHS announced 595 new positive test results for COVID-19 for Tuesday, January 18. Today’s results include 492 people who tested positive by PCR test and 103 who tested positive by antigen test. DHHS also announced an additional 45 new cases from Thursday, January 6 (20 by PCR and 25 by antigen test) for a new total of 2,755; an additional 74 new cases from Friday, January 7 (15 by PCR and 59 by antigen test) for a new total of 3,180; an additional 18 new cases from Saturday, January 8 (17 by PCR and 1 by antigen test) for a new total of 3,531; an additional 5 new cases from Sunday, January 9 (5 by PCR and 0 by antigen test) for a new total of 2,907; an additional 45 new cases from Monday, January 10 (2 by PCR and 43 by antigen test) for a new total of 1,901; an additional 13 new cases from Tuesday, January 11(0 by PCR and 13 by antigen test) for a new total of 2,822; an additional 14 new cases from Wednesday, January 12 (1 by PCR and 13 by antigen test) for a new total of 3,879; an additional 4 new cases from Thursday, January 13 (0 by PCR and 4 by antigen test) for a new total of 2,373; an additional 34 new cases from Friday, January 14 (19 by PCR and 15 by antigen test) for a new total of 2,935; and an additional 1 new case from Monday, January 17 (0 by PCR and 1 by antigen test) for a new total of 1,786. There are now 18,986 current COVID-19 cases diagnosed in New Hampshire. 

On Thursday, January 20, 2022, DHHS announced 2,461 new positive test results for COVID-19 for Wednesday, January 19. Today’s results include 1,687 people who tested positive by PCR test and 774 who tested positive by antigen test. DHHS also announced an additional 72 new cases from Saturday, January 8 (60 by PCR and 12 by antigen test) for a new total of 3,603; an additional 43 new cases from Sunday, January 9 (21 by PCR and 22 by antigen test) for a new total of 2,950; an additional 192 new cases from Monday, January 10 (32 by PCR and 160 by antigen test) for a new total of 2,093; an additional 211 new cases from Tuesday, January 11 (62 by PCR and 149 by antigen test) for a new total of 3,033; an additional 32 new cases from Wednesday, January 12 (7 by PCR and 25 by antigen test) for a new total of 3,911; an additional 15 new cases from Friday, January 14 (12 by PCR and 3 by antigen test) for a new total of 2,950; an additional 18 new cases from Saturday, January 15 (12 by PCR and 6 by antigen test) for a new total of 5,529; an additional 12 new cases from Sunday, January 16 (9 by PCR and 3 by antigen test) for a new total of 2,812; an additional 18 new cases from Monday, January 17 (9 by PCR and 9 by antigen test) for a new total of 1,804; and an additional 116 new cases from Tuesday, January 18 (29 by PCR and 87 by antigen test) for a new total of 711. There are now 20,026 current COVID-19 cases diagnosed in New Hampshire. 

On Friday, January 21, 2022, DHHS announced 2,258 new positive test results for COVID-19 for Thursday, January 20. Today’s results include 1,741 people who tested positive by PCR test and 517 who tested positive by antigen test. DHHS also announced an additional 177 new cases from Monday, January 10 (11 by PCR and 166 by antigen test) for a new total of 2,270; an additional 160 new cases from Tuesday, January 11 (92 by PCR and 68 by antigen test) for a new total of 3,193; an additional 108 new cases from Wednesday, January 12 (54 by PCR and 54 by antigen test) for a new total of 4,019; an additional 21 new cases from Thursday, January 13 (13 by PCR and 8 by antigen test) for a new total of 2,394; an additional 7 new cases from Friday, January 14 (7 by PCR and 0 by antigen test) for a new total of 2,957; an additional 10 new cases from Monday, January 17 (0 by PCR and 10 by antigen test) for a new total of 1,814; an additional 27 new cases from Tuesday, January 18 (7 by PCR and 20 by antigen test) for a new total of 738; and an additional 277 new cases from Wednesday, January 19 (122 by PCR and 155 by antigen test) for a new total of 2,737. There are now 18,462 current COVID-19 cases diagnosed in New Hampshire. 

On Monday, January 24, 2022, DHHS announced 975 new positive test results for COVID-19 for Sunday, January 23. Today’s results include 868 people who tested positive by PCR test and 107 who tested positive by antigen test. DHHS also announced 2,905 cases from Friday, January 21(2,318 by PCR and 587 by antigen test); and 2,316 cases from Saturday, January 22 (1,900 by PCR and 416 by antigen test). Additionally, DHHS announced an additional 355 new cases from Tuesday, January 11 (90 by PCR and 265 by antigen test) for a new total of 3,548; an additional 11 new cases from Wednesday, January 12 (0 by PCR and 11 by antigen test) for a new total of 4,030; an additional 374 new cases from Thursday, January 13 (129 by PCR and 245 by antigen test) for a new total of 2,768; an additional 275 new cases from Friday, January 14 (138 by PCR and 137 by antigen test) for a new total of 3,232; an additional 4 new cases from Saturday, January 15 (4 by PCR and 0 by antigen test) for a new total of 5,533; an additional 7 new cases from Monday, January 17 (0 by PCR and 7 by antigen test) for a new total of 1,821; an additional 1 new case from Tuesday, January 18 (0 by PCR and 1 by antigen test) for a new total of 739; an additional 11 new cases from Wednesday, January 19 (1 by PCR and 10 by antigen test) for a new total of 2,748; and an additional 37 new cases from Thursday, January 20 (15 by PCR and 32 by antigen test) for a new total of 2,305. There are now 15,641 current COVID-19 cases diagnosed in New Hampshire. 

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. 

Also, because last Monday was Martin Luther King Day, “last week” is the ten days since Friday, January 24.

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

  • Total people who have tested positive: 265,140  
  • New positive cases reported this week by math (Comparison of total number of cases last week to now): 29,242.  (Last week: 26,982)
  • New positive cases per DHHS: 28,864
  • 1 out of every 5 Salem residents has been infected.
  • 1 out of every 5 residents of Rockingham County.  (Was 1:6 last week)
  • 1 out of every 5 residents of NH have been infected. (Was 1:6 last week)

• • • • • ACTIVE CASES • • • • • • 

  • 15,641 
  • This number probably reflects:
    • A decrease in new cases
    • At home testing not being reported
    • Faster “recovery” times based on new CDC guidelines.

• • • • • • RECOVERED • • • • • •

  • Total recovered: 237,196 (24,668 in the last 10 days)

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

  • Every county in NH, as well as Manchester and Nashua, are at Substantial risk for community transmission.
  • Cases per 100K NH residents: 2,798 (1,161 last week.)
  • Positivity Rate for NH for the past week: 17.5% (26.0% 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 is now 17.1%. I believe that this is the first time that Salem’s positivity rate has been lower than the State’s.
  • When the positivity rate is high, it is likely that cases are undercounted.
  • Positivity rates do not allow for those who self-diagnosed, or who have taken at-home tests.

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

  • Currently hospitalized: 411 (Last week: 426). 
  • Staffed hospital beds available: 11.4%
  • Total patients who have been hospitalized with COVID-19: 3,052 (2,976 last week) 
  • New patients hospitalized this week because of COVID-19: 76 ((77 last week)
  • Total ICU patients: 850
  • New admissions to ICU this week because of COVID-19: 20
  • Staffed adult ICU beds available: 11.1% 
  • NY Times reports that Parkland (Derry) and CMC in Manchester has 2 ICU bed available, Elliot Hospital (Manchester) has 0, and Concord Hospital has 1 bed available. Nashua, Methuen, Lawrence and Lowell each have 0-1 ICU beds available. Note: DHHS says, “For Informational Purposes Only. If you need care, seek care. Hospitals are available to meet your medical needs.
  • Ventilators available: 79.4%
  • Per WMUR: 45.5% of NH hospitalizations are unvaccinated, 22.1% are fully up-to-date; 18.6% are partially up-to-date, and 13.8% are of unknown vaccine status.

• • • • • • DEATHS IN NH • • • • • • 

  • Total fatalities in NH associated with COVID-19: 2,145
  • New deaths attributed to COVID-19 reported in NH since my last update: 66

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

(Showing changes since last week) 

  • 0-9: Infections: 25807 (+3554); Hospitalizations: 32 (+1); Deaths: 1 (+0)
  • 10-19: Infections: 39641 (+5347); Hospitalizations: 18 (+0); Deaths: 0 (+0)
  • 20-29: Infections: 47264 (+4906); Hospitalizations: 67 (+1); Deaths: 4 (+0)
  • 30-39: Infections: 40571 (+4609); Hospitalizations: 154 (+4); Deaths: 22 (+1)
  • 40-49: Infections: 33602 (+3536); Hospitalizations: 242 (+4); Deaths: 44 (+1)
  • 50-59: Infections: 35833 (+3555); Hospitalizations: 469 (+9); Deaths: 111 (+8)
  • 60-69: Infections: 23668 (+2122); Hospitalizations: 677 (+16); Deaths: 305 (+14)
  • 70-79: Infections: 10984 (+992); Hospitalizations: 705 (+23); Deaths: 525 (+17)
  • 80+: Infections: 7361 (+562); Hospitalizations: 685 (+18); Deaths: 1133 (+25)
  • Unknown: Infections: 409 (+59); Hospitalizations: 3 (+0); Deaths: 0 (+0)
  • Total: Infections: 265140 (+29,242); Hospitalizations: 3,052 (+76); Deaths: 2,145 (+66)

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

  • 0-9: 18% vs. 15% (+1.8%)
  • 10-19: 18.4% vs. 17.8% (+3%)
  • 20-29: 15.7% vs. 15.3% (+0.6%)
  • 30-39: 12.1% vs. 12.7% (+0.4%)
  • 40-49: 12% vs. 13.5% (-0.6%)
  • 50-59: 7.3% vs. 8.9% (-1.5%)
  • 60-69: 3.1% vs. 4.1% (-1.6%)
  • 70-79: 1.7% vs. 2.8% (-1%)
  • 80+: 0.2% vs. 0.2% (-1.1%)

Additional Age Stats

  • 7,485 children under 18 are included in this week’s new cases. 
  • 25.9% of new cases announced by DHHS this week are kids under 18 years old. 
  • Under 60, this week: 25,507 new cases. 19 hospitalizations; 10 deaths
  • 60+, this week: 3,735 new cases; 57 hospitalizations; 56 deaths

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

  • NH DHHS reported 42 institutional outbreaks as of Wednesday, January 19. There were 37 institutions 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 still reported as having 32 residents, 20 staff infected, but sadly there were two more deaths reported this week, bring the count to four.
    • Greystone Farm was added to the list last week. They are still reporting nine residents have been infected, but the staff went up to five (2 last week). 
  • Details about these active outbreaks, and all closed outbreaks, can be seen here.
  • This week: 903 people from long-term care facilities were diagnosed bringing the total to 10,776. 14 were hospitalized (408 total), 10 died (1,053 total). 
  • This week: 743 healthcare workers were diagnosed, bringing the total to 9,028. 3 were hospitalized (109 total). 0 died (16 total).

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

A percentage of NH’s positive test results are sequenced for the variants. From the reports on WMUR, for the past 1.5 weeks, NH sampled 126 Delta and 438 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 (No change)
  • 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: 4,869
  • Number of B.1.1.529 variant (Omicron): 619 total 

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.

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:

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *