On April 7, NH scientist and politician, Mindi Messmer, PG, CG wrote on her Facebook page: “… testing has pretty much stopped at the NH PHL. The testing penetration is so low in NH, only 1/2% of the 1.3M people, meaning 99.5% of the 1.3M have not been tested, that I am not putting up projections or tests for NH because the graphs would be meaningless and I don’t want to give the false impression that we know what’s going on in NH.”
Please keep this in mind as you review the following information.
Click to view the calendar:
https://www.bonnie4salem.us/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/april9-calendar.jpg
Source: June Garneau, of Mapping and Planning Solutions (MAPS)
Added since the last share:
COVID Symptom Tracker: This is a project of Mass General Hospital. In the absence of proper testing, let’s let them know how we are doing.
https://covid.joinzoe.com/us?fbclid=IwAR2IsoxZ9RBKC4uPQscKiuUUTJCA3cCt3dUr9tjNSsFqOU1rv10jmysmt4Y
Today’s COVID-19 news:
| Today | Yesterday | Change from yesterday | |||
| Total Confirmed Cases | 819 | 788 | +31 | ||
| Recovered | 234 | 29% | 227 | +7 | |
| Deaths Attributed to COVID-19 | 21 | 3% | 18 | +3 | |
| Active Cases | 564 | 542 | +19 | ||
| Total Hospitalized | 124 | 16% | 118 | +6 | |
| Tested Negative | 9,139 | 8,763 | +376 | ||
| Persons with specimens submitted to NH PHL | 4,669 | 4,476 | +193 | ||
| Persons with test pending at NH PHL | 155 | 143 | +12 | ||
| Being Monitored (Approximate) | 2,325 | 2,300 | +25 |
Note: The Department of Health and Human Services reports that there has been a total of 124 hospitalizations; WMUR is showing 127. (I am presuming that DHHS is correct.)
Dr. Benjamin Chan, the state epidemiologist, said it’s possible that the rate of the spread of the coronavirus could be slowing, but it’s too early to tell. We must continue social distancing to reduce the spread.
With 133 (up +4 from yesterday) confirmed cased, Manchester continues to be the city with the most confirmed cases. Nashua has 76 (+2) confirmed cases. The range was changed from 20-40 cases to 20-49. Salem, Londonderry, Derry, and Portsmouth are the only communities in that range, with Londonderry adding more than 20 cases in the past 24+/- hours.
I’m not finding any change in the number of cases in Hillsborough County, which includes Manchester and Nashua, or Rockingham County. Hillsboro is reporting 303 confirmed cases, while Rockingham County reports 268 confirmed cases. (This is probably incorrect.)
On April 6, Fire Chief Larry Best, on behalf of Salem’s Emergency Operations Center team, reported that Salem has 33 cases — which is 8 more than we had last Friday. WMUR is showing that Salem has had 20-49 cases.
Massachusetts
Since Salem is a border town, I looked at some of the numbers for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. 94,958 Mass residents have been tested. With an estimated population of 6.9 million, that’s 1.36% of their population. By comparison, NH has 9,139 people who have tested negative, and 819 confirmed cases, for a total of 9,958 tested. With an estimated population of 1.37 million, that’s only 0.73% of our population. Massachusetts is running almost twice as many tests per person as New Hampshire is testing.
Massachusetts is not releasing town- and city-specific data; that is at the discretion of the towns to release their own numbers. On April 3, the Eagle Tribune reported that Lawrence had 241 cases and our neighbor Haverhill had 84 and 94 cases, respectively.
Methuen had 94 cases on April 3, and had 175 confirmed cases as of today.
Haverhill, the 15th largest city in the state, has an estimated population of 64,041. The City of Haverhill declared a State of Emergency on March 20. The Haverhill police are now issuing fines to people who violate social distancing rules.
Salem (NH) has an estimated population of 29,133. If we were testing as much as Massachusetts, and if we were to have the same 0.27% of confirmed cases as Haverhill, we would have about 79 confirmed cases.
We need proper testing to fight COVID-19
“The COVID-19 outbreak isn’t almost over now. Nor will it be in two weeks. We haven’t “almost beaten this” because we haven’t even started properly measuring it yet. We want to measure success in lives saved, not by celebrating an ongoing low death rate.” https://www.unionleader.com/opinion/op-eds/we-need-proper-testing-to-fight-covid-19/article_acd86517-86cd-5b87-9ce5-e314ffbe5019.html
Dr. Benjamin Chan, the state epidemiologist, stated that New Hampshire is conducting about 400 tests per day.
Per Governor Sununu
I missed the beginning of Governor Sununu’s report yesterday, but was able to catch it today. Not reported by me yesterday:
- The Department of Transportation is putting up message boards telling out-of-staters to quarantine for 14 days.
- NH has received 15 AVID rapid testing devices, but only a limited number of cartridges to use with them. FEMA told NH that we can expect to receive 15% of the cartridges that were requested.
- Unemployment: Since March 17, NH has issued 67,000 payments, totaling almost $19 million in benefits. This week, NH made 30,000 payments totaling $8.5 million. 100,000 people have been seeking help.
- Reminder from my report yesterday:
- If you were denied unemployment benefits, reapply., because many restrictions were lifted as a result of the CARES Act.
- If you can’t get through, keep trying.
- Unemployment benefits will be retroactive to the time that you became unemployed.
Today, Governor Sununu stated that if there are still COVID-19-related health concerns this fall, and a voter feels uncomfortable or nervous about entering a polling place, they will be able to vote absentee under current law and procedures. Secretary of State William Gardner says there is no need to change the law.
Dr. Benjamin Chan, the state epidemiologist, believes there is a high likelihood for a peak in New Hampshire sometime within the next several weeks.
Per the Institute for Health Metrics (IHME):
IHME updated its prediction that the strain on NH’s hospitals will peak on April 16, provided we continue to follow the government-mandated social distancing. They predict that, unlike some of the major hot spots, NH will have adequate beds and ICUs, again, providing that we follow the social distancing guidelines. Their previous report, issued on April 5, predicted NH’s peak for April 15.
“IHME is trying to do the right thing by “incorporating the accuracy of predictions from the early days of its model,” but this is not the best practice in model refinement”
https://www.unionleader.com/opinion/op-eds/we-need-proper-testing-to-fight-covid-19/article_acd86517-86cd-5b87-9ce5-e314ffbe5019.html
Salem Government
The Town of Salem’s Emergency Operations Center Team (EOC) made another public address on COVID-19 on Monday, April 6. These reports can be seen at http://sctv-17.com/CablecastPublicSite/?channel=1
Other Salem Government events coming up:
- The Planning Board is scheduled to have a virtual meeting on Tuesday, April 14 at 7:00.
- I see not see any further meetings that have been scheduled.
- Since the Stay-at-Home order, the Select Board met on Monday, April 6, and the Zoning Board met on Tuesday, April 7.
- These meetings are available to be seen on Salem Community TV — Channel 23 on Comcast.
Other options to watch past or live viewings include:
- http://sctv-17.com/CablecastPublicSite/?channel=1
- https://livestream.com/salemnh
- https://www.facebook.com/sctv17
State Representation:
Salem has nine State Representatives. If you are having issues connected to COVID-19, they have access to the people who can get you the help you need. You can find contact info for our reps here: http://gencourt.state.nh.us/house/members/default.aspx
Our Senator, Chuck Morse, can be contacted at Chuck.Morse@leg.state.nh.us His Concord office phone is 603.271.3207.
Resources to help in these challenging times:
Added since my last share:
Coronavirus Tax Relief: https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus-tax-relief-and-economic-impact-payments
Do YOU think you have COVID-19?
To report suspected cases, contact the Bureau of Infectious Disease Control at 603-271-4496, (603-271-5300 for after hours), or nhbidc@dhhs.nhs.gov.
How You Can Help Others:
- Stay home, wash hands, wear cloth masks in public, check on neighbors
- Donate food: NH Food Bank: https://www.nhfoodbank.org or call 669-9725
- United Way: http://uwnh.org
- Donate blood: https://www.redcross.org or call 1-800-RED-Cross
- COVID-19 Response in New Hampshire: https://volunteernh.org/covid-19-response/
- Watch out for the kids. Child abuse reports are down, because they aren’t out where they can be observed. If you suspect child abuse call Salem Police Department (603) 893-1911 or the NH child abuse hotline at DCYF (800) 894-5533. You could also go to https://knowandtell.org. In an immediate emergency, dial 911.
Masks:
- How to make and how to wear: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/diy-cloth-face-coverings.html
- This is another option for a no-sew mask (perhaps using the coffee filter, as suggested by the CDC?) http://blog.japanesecreations.com/no-sew-face-mask-with-handkerchief-and-hair-tie
Salem:
- Free meals for Salem kids under 18: https://sau57.org/covid19/meals
- Town of Salem COVID-29 Info: https://www.townofsalemnh.org/home/covid-19-information
- COVID-19 Salem Community Hotline & Email: https://www.townofsalemnh.org/home/news/covid-19-community-hotline-and-email
- Salem Police: Dial 911 for emergencies or (603) 893-1911 for non-emergency issues.
New Hampshire:
New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services:
- https://www.nh.gov/covid19/index.htm
- https://www.nh.gov/covid19/faqs/documents/covid-19-faq.pdf
- https://www.nh.gov/covid19/resources-guidance/index.htm
- https://www.nh.gov/covid19/resources-guidance/other-guidance.htm
- https://www.nh.gov/covid19/documents/terms.pdf
- https://www.nh.gov/covid19/resources-guidance/residents.htm
Office of the Governor: https://www.governor.nh.gov
- List of NH “essential” services: https://www.governor.nh.gov/news-media/emergency-orders/documents/emergency-order-17-ex-a.pdf
Mindi Messmer: A scientist who is reporting frequently on COVID-19, Mindi is also a candidate for Executive Council, District 3 (including Salem). https://www.facebook.com/Mindi4NH/
More info about COVID-19
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:
- https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/
- https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/if-you-are-sick/care-for-someone.html
- https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/sick-with-2019-nCoV-fact-sheet.pdf
- https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/2019-ncov-factsheet.pdf
- https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/prevention.html
Trackers:
- COVI-19 Tracker: https://bing.com/covid/local/newhampshire_unitedstates
- Live statistics: https://ncov2019.live/data
- US Coronavirus Tracking https://infection2020.com
- The COVID Tracking Project https://covidtracking.com/data/state/new-hampshire#historical
The World Health Organization:
https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019
Media with NH COVID-19 news:
- WMUR: https://www.wmur.com
- NHPR: https://www.nhpr.org
Housing
- NH landlords cannot start eviction proceedings for any tenant unable to pay due to the impact of the coronavirus. Foreclosures are also frozen. https://www.governor.nh.gov/news-media/emergency-orders/documents/emergency-order-4.pdf
- Housing and Urban Development: https://www.hud.gov/states/new_hampshire
- NH Housing: https://www.nhhfa.org
Unemployment
- If you were working in NH: https://www.nhes.nh.gov
- If you worked in MA: https://www.mass.gov/orgs/department-of-unemployment-assistance
Financial Assistance
- Coronavirus Tax Relief: https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus-tax-relief-and-economic-impact-payments
- SNAP: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (Formerly Food Stamps)
Link to other NH benefits:
Businesses and Employers: Guidance for Small Businesses
- New Hampshire Department of Business and Economic Affairs (BEA): (resources): https://businesshelp.nheconomy.com/hc/en-us
- NH DHHS: https://www.nh.gov/covid19/resources-guidance/businesses.htm
- SBA: https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USSBA/bulletins/281d439
- SBA: https://www.sba.gov/page/coronavirus-covid-19-small-business-guidance-loan-resources
- CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/guidance-business-response.html
- CDC: Cleaning: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/organizations/cleaning-disinfection.html
- OSHA: https://www.osha.gov/Publications/OSHA3990.pdf
- Greater Salem Chamber of Commerce: http://www.gschamber.com
- McLane Middleton: An extensive list of resources for businesses: https://www.mclane.com/Coronavirus-Resource-Center
- The CARES Act: https://www.mclane.com/The-CARES-Act-QA-Webinar-Replay-4/2/2020
- Unemployment: https://www.mclane.com/Coronavirus-Employment-Webinar-3-26-2020
Sources for data included in this report:
- https://www.nh.gov/covid19/
- https://www.wmur.com
- https://covid19.healthdata.org
- https://www.townofsalemnh.org/
- https://infection2020.com
- https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-updates-and-information
Please report any errors or omissions to bonnie@bonnie4salem.us. Thank you.