COVID-19 Update June 5
Today’s numbers for Salem are missing. Thanks, NH DHHS.
Yesterday’s numbers for Salem:
- Salem Total: 258 confirmed cases, 1 out of every 115 residents
- Salem Today: 2 new cases; 75 active cases.
Forgive me while I rant for a moment. The State has really screwed up. What is going on with NH DHHS? I thought Commissioner Shibinette was a little sharp to the reporters in today’s press conference. Is this why?
DHHS introduced a new website a short time ago, which is supposed to be updated throughout the day. I do not not like it, I hate it. It is not user friendly for those of us who use Mac computers or iPads. Getting the town statistics is a real chore. It just doesn’t work. And now today, the info with all of the town and country statistics, which is “updated throughout the day,” was not updated. Today’s report has yesterday’s data. In addition, NH DHHS won’t answer my questions, including about how CUMULATIVE totals have dropped by almost 4,000. Their math FREQUENTLY does not add up, with no explanation. I’m disgusted. #EndRant. For now.
****** TODAY’S SPOTLIGHT*****
- Globally: 6,554,617 cases; 386,287 deaths
- US: 1,901,493 confirmed cases; 109,127 deaths.
- Globally, there were over 152,600 new cases today. From May 26 to June 3, the global average was 110K.
- New cases in the US today were 41,821. From May 26 to June 4, the daily average was 21,766. In 2-3 days, America will likely pass 2 million cases.
- Because the State screwed up, we don’t know the count for Salem.
- The number of patients currently hospitalized with COVID-19-related issues has decreased for the last five days, but went up slightly today. This is one of the metrics being used by NH HDDS to track our progress.
- NH has now tested over 82,000 persons for COVID-19.
- Nearby Essex County has had over 15,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19.
- Yesterday Dover had its 100th confirmed case.
****** DIAGNOSTIC TESTS IN NH *****
- New positive cases per DHHS: 80
- My new positive cases (Total of today’s cases minus yesterday’s total): 77
- Children under 18 in new cases: 4
- Total positive cases in NH: 4,953
- Percentage of tests that are positive: 3.2%
- Active cases: 1,428
- Percentage of positive cases that are still active: 28.8%
- New cases in Rockingham County: 10
- Total cases in Rockingham County: 1,357
- Percent of all cases from either Hillsborough County or Rockingham County: 81%?
- Total PCR tests results reported today (Positive results plus negative results): 2,406
- Daily average of diagnostic (PCR) tests reported from 7 days ago to today: 1, 699
- New negative PCR cases in NH: 2,329
- Total negative cases in NH (as reported by DHHS): 77,218
****** OTHER TEST RESULTS *****
- New antibody tests: 348
- Total antibody tests: (No break down of positive vs. negative) 13,292
- Daily average of antibody tests reported from 7 days ago to today: 539
- Children diagnosed with MIS-C: (as of 5/22/2020): 1
****** RECOVERED IN NH *****
- Announced today: 60
- Total: 3,247
- Percentage of diagnosed cases that have recovered: 65.6%
****** HOSPITALIZATIONS IN NH *****
- New: 4
- Current: 89
- Total: 476
- Percentage of all confirmed cases that have been hospitalized: 10%
- Percentage of those who have been hospitalized that are still in the hospital: 18.7%
****** DEATHS IN NH *****
- Lives lost today: 5
- Persons over 60 years of age who died today: 5
- Persons under 60 years of age who died today: 0
- Total fatalities in NH associated with COVID-19: 278
- NH Residents diagnosed with COVID-19 that died: 5.6%
- NH Residents hospitalized with COVID-19 that died: 58.4%
- Lives lost in Rockingham today: 0
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.
****** Key points. Read details in the article below*****
- Long-term Care Facility Outbreaks
- Judge Clears Way For One More Hearing In N.H. Democrats’ COVID-19 Spending Suit
- Renewable Energy Advocates Want Job Training Focus in COVID-19 Recovery
- Nearly A Quarter of Nursing Homes in N.H. Impacted By Coronavirus
- Governor Sununu’s Press Conference
The eyes have it! Keep smiling! Find the beauty in the day, and smile. If we are out in public, we are likely wearing masks, so make sure you smile with your eyes. Try to stay positive. Try to help others feel positive. Stay safe, and always, be kind.
~Bonnie
https://www.bonnie4salem.us/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/june5-calendar.jpg
Click on the calendar to enlarge
Q: How much testing is NH doing in comparison to our neighboring states?
A: We aren’t doing enough tests!
WHY???
Today’s COVID-19 Statistics:
Salem’s confirmed cases:
- May 19: 213; 118 active (The highest number of active cases.)
- May 20: 218; 116 active
- May 21: 220; 86 active
- May 22: 225; 77 active
- May 23: 227; 74 active
- May 24: 226???; 76 active
- May 25: 228; 67 active
- May 26: 235; 73 active
- May 27: 235; 68 active
- May 28: 239; 70 active
- May 29: 239; 68 active
- May 30: 241, 65 active
- May 31: 244; 68 active
- June 1: 245; 68 active
- June 2: 247; 66 active
- June 3: 256; 74 active
- June 4: 258; 75 active
- June 5: ???
Earlier dates for Salem have been moved to https://www.bonnie4salem.us/covid-19-cases-in-salem/
The weekly report has been moved to https://www.bonnie4salem.us/covid-19-weekly-updates/. This is a summary of the info from NH DHHS; with more demographics than provided on a daily basis. They last updated this info on May 18.
The report containing information about other towns, counties and our MA neighbors has been moved to https://www.bonnie4salem.us/covid-19-update-nh-towns/I’m updating this information weekly. The last update was May 24.
Today’s News pertaining to COVID-19
Long-Term Care Facility Outbreaks
NH DHHS has announced “New Hampshire Institutions Associated with COVID-19 Outbreak (as of 5/29/2020).” Read more. Of interest to those in Salem:
- Greystone Farm at Salem: (Current): 9 Residents, 4 staff, 1 under investigation, 0 deaths
- Salemhaven (Current): 42 Residents, 14 staff, 0 Under Investigation, 9 deaths.
- Salem Woods (Closed 5/18/20): 23 Residents, 26 Staff, 10 deaths.
Summary:
- 2 current (new diagnosis within the last 14 days), 1 closed (no cases within the last 2 weeks)
- Total Residents infected: 74
- Total Staff infected: 44
- Total Under investigation: 1
- Total Deaths: 19
Judge Clears Way For One More Hearing In N.H. Democrats’ COVID-19 Spending Suit
Democratic state lawmakers will get another hearing in a lawsuit over Gov. Chris Sununu’s authority to distribute federal coronavirus aid. Read more.
Renewable Energy Advocates Want Job Training Focus in COVID-19 Recovery
Advocates are calling on New Hampshire’s congressional delegation to support job training for clean energy projects as part of COVID-19 economic recovery. Read more.
Nearly A Quarter of Nursing Homes in N.H. Impacted By Coronavirus
The coronavirus has infected residents in nearly a quarter of all nursing homes in New Hampshire since the beginning of the outbreak, according to newly released data from the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Many nursing homes are still struggling to acquire enough PPE. Read more.
Governor Sununu’s Press Conference
- Today’s report will include a list of all LTC facilities, with active and past outbreaks. 1 more was removed from the active list. 4 of 5 of the deaths reported today were from LTC facilities.
- ASAP: Asymptomatic Spread Assessment Program, to identify anyone who might have COVID-19 without symptoms. Insurance will pay, but if not, no out-of-pocket expense. Gov. Sununu will get tested as part of the program. There is no tracking being done of those who test positive but have no symptoms, so we don’t know how many people are asymptomatic.
- Main Street Relief Fund: 13,000 pre-grant applications were received. An email was sent today to finalize the application process. Applicants have one week to finalize their info. Weight to industries hardest hit? No, but the formula allows for the companies to get the same percentage of their loss, so those who were harder hit will have bigger losses.
- New Industry Changes:
-
- Beaches: Effective immediately, normal beach behavior, including sunbathing and sitting on the beach, is now allowed. Parking is still very limited. Ocean Boulevard still shut down. 6-foot distance must be maintained.
- Golf: Phase 2. Shortening break between tee time. Open to the general public, including out-of-staters. Carts can be shared by household members.
- Attractions: Tourism-type attractions have expanded. Canobie Lake Park gave a great presentation, but they still aren’t ready to make a decision. The final determination will be made 2-3 weeks down the road. Working to try to meet deadlines to be able to let them open in time to make sense to open.
- Restaurants: Indoor dining: Geographic approach effective June 15.
- 50% occupancy in Rockingham, Strafford, Hillsborough, and Merrimack counties.
60% occupancy in other counties- The 60% occupancy was announced, but the guidance now says Indoor seated dining is allowed in Belknap, Coos, Carrol, Cheshire, Sullivan and Grafton Counties with enough space between tables, and a number of other regulations are followed.
- Wedding Receptions: Up to 50% of the capacity of the venue, 6’ spacing
- Overnight Camps: Allowed June 28, with strict guidelines.
- The current intent is to allow Stay-at-Home Order to sunset to a Stay-at-Home Advisory. on June 15.
- State Budget: Another stimulus program is expected, so it’s too early to figure out if we need to cut programs, or if we can delay capital projects. He will need legislative support to change the budget.
- If you have been exposed, or think you have been exposed, at the beach or at a protest, get tested.
- Testing has leveled off. We are doing “enough” tests; it is steady, but we are not overloaded.
- Surprising to Commissioner Shibinette: The number of asymptomatic positive cases found in long-term care facilities.
- There have been deaths of people under 60, but Commissioner Shibinette does not have info about their underlying health conditions.
- Visitation at nursing homes and LTC facilities: Will be watching what others are doing. Want to be at full capacity for sentinel testing before making changes.
- Still limit of 10 people in a group setting. May potentially be changed on June 15. To be determined.
- Gyms? Not yet. Nowhere in the east is this happening.
- Sentinel programs: Nursing homes only for now. After a couple of rounds, they will consider assisted living next. Low priority is jails, prisons, homeless shelters, and other congregate living.
RESOURCES:
My accumulation of resources has been moved. These can now be found at https://www.bonnie4salem.us/covid-19-resources/
Sources used to create this report:
- https://www.nh.gov/covid19/
- https://www.boston.com/news/health/2020/03/09/updating-stats-numbers-covid-19-massachusetts
- https://www.cityofmethuen.net/health-division/pages/methuen-covid-19-case-count
- https://www.cityoflawrence.com/AlertCenter.aspx
- https://www.boston.com/news/coronavirus/2020/05/20/latest-massachusetts-town-city-covid-19-numbers
- https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/salemtownrockinghamcountynewhampshire/PST045219
- https://www.politico.com/interactives/2020/coronavirus-testing-by-state-chart-of-new-cases/
- https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus