Posted on by Bonnie

COVID-19 Update May 8

COVID-19 Update May 8

Salem: 189 confirmed cases, 103 cases are still active.

Today Salem saw an increase of 3 more confirmed cases of they have COVID-19. 64 people out of every 10,000 Salem residents have been diagnosed. 86 of the Salem cases have been told that they have recovered, but more than half of those here in town who have been infected are still waiting to recover.

Today another 104 new positive test results for COVID-19 were announced. 41% of those who have been diagnosed in NH have recovered; 55% are still fighting this disease. Of the new cases, 16 were from Rockingham County. Of the new cases, six were children under the age of 18.

Today DHHS announced 7 more deaths. Of the seven people who were recognized to have lost their lives to COVID-19, 1 female and 2 males were from Rockingham County. All seven were 60 years of age or older.

I started tracking more in-depth numbers on April 28. At that time, 2.99% of the people who were infected had died. That rate is now at 4.11%.

I have still not had a response from Health and Human Services addressing my concerns about their numbers.

I’ve heard from a Salem resident who shared “The hospital I work for [Beverly Hospital] has a snippet of a song that plays every time a COVID patient is discharged. Do you know if local hospitals are doing that too? It always makes me feel like a small battle has been won when I hear it.”

I haven’t heard this, but other viewers shared that it’s happening across the country, and some are using the theme song from “Rocky.” Beverly is using “Here Comes the Sun!” I like that.

We have a few days of nasty weather heading our way. But like everything else, this, too, shall pass. Hopefully, before too long, we’ll all be able to sing “Here Comes the Sun!” Have a good weekend, stay safe, and, always, be kind.

Key points covered below in today’s report:

  • Ongoing issues with the State Joint Information Center
  • Reopening task force takes comments on double standards, beaches
  • Dentist Offices
  • Boston cancellations include the Boston Pops
  • Governor’s Press Conference

Also:

I updated the graph for confirmed cases in Salem.

 

Click on the calendar to enlarge
https://www.bonnie4salem.us/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/may8-calendar.jpg

 

Q: How much testing is NH doing in comparison to our neighboring states?

A: We aren’t doing enough tests!
WHY???

 

 

Mindi does an excellent report daily. You can sign up to get it here.

Could this be the answer?

On April 19, this was posted on Facebook:

The Governor maintains that we don’t have enough supplies (test availability).

Why is this so important?
COVID vs. US Daily Average Cause of Death

By Robert Martin on 15 Apr 2020

The following charts are from NHPR

#End of NHPR’s charts.

Additional charts can be found at https://www.nhpr.org/post/updated-tracking-covid-19-cases-and-testing-new-hampshire

COVID Symptom Tracker: This is a project of Mass General Hospital. In the absence of proper testing, this may be the best way of tracking how we are doing. I’m keeping it near the top, so I’ll remember to log in each day.
https://covid.joinzoe.com/us?fbclid=IwAR2IsoxZ9RBKC4uPQscKiuUUTJCA3cCt3dUr9tjNSsFqOU1rv10jmysmt4Y


Today’s COVID-19 Statistics:

May 8May 7Change from yesterday
Total Confirmed Cases29472,843+104
Recovered 1,21041%
1,165+45
Deaths Attributed to COVID-19
1214% 114+7
Active Cases1,6161,564+52
Total Hospitalized30910% (was 11%)308+1
Current Hospitalized112113-1
Tested Negative29,35127,829+1,522
Persons with specimens submitted to NH PHL12,03711,797+240
Persons with test pending at NH PHL304532-228
Being Monitored (Approximate) 3,0753,050+25
Total Tested (Confirmed Cases + Tested Negative)32,29830,672+1,626

Salem’s confirmed cases: 

  • March 30 (Range 10-19)
  • March 31 (Range 20+)
  • April 3: 25 cases (Range 20+)
  • April 6: 33 cases (+8 in 3 days)
  • April 8: 20+ cases
  • April 9: 20-49
  • April 10: Over 50
  • April 23: 116
  • April 27: 144
  • April 28: 143 (Huh? Less than yesterday? Triple checked!)
  • April 30: 146
  • May 1: 154
  • May 2: 162
  • May 3: 173
  • May 4-5: 175
  • May 6: 178; 94 active
  • May 7: 186; 101 active
  • May 8: 189; 103 active

 

NH Hot Spots
NH has 11 NH municipalities have more than 50 confirmed cases:

  • Manchester: 658 (+29 from yesterday); 56 per 10K residents
  • Nashua: 277 (+19); 31 per 10K residents
  • Derry: 241; (+2); 72 cases per 10K residents
  • Salem: 186 (+8); 64 cases per 10K residents
  • Londonderry: 88 (+2); 33 cases per 10K
  • Bedford: 92 (+5); 41 cases per 10K
  • Dover: 78 (0); 25 cases per 10K
  • Milford: 70 (+10); 44 cases per 10K
  • Hudson: 61 (+1); 24 cases per 10K
  • Concord: 62 (+3); 14 cases pr 10K
  • Franklin: 52 (0); 60 cases per 10K

All other municipalities have less than 50 cases.  All of the other municipalities with 20-49 cases are geographically south of Concord/Rochester, and east of Concord/Milford, except for Franklin.

Counties:

  • Hillsborough (inc. Manchester and Nashua): 1,375 (+67); 33 per 10K residents
  • Rockingham (inc. Salem & Derry): 949 (+16); 31 per 10K

These two counties make up about 79% of all confirmed cases in NH.

Our neighboring towns:

  • Methuen: 676 (+11); 133 confirmed cases per 10K residents. 274 recovered (+13). 32 deaths (+0)
  • Lawrence: 2,230 (+47). 277 cases per 10K residents. 90 deaths (0);
  • Haverhill: 833 cases (May 6), up 233 from April 29. 130 cases per 10K.

If more people were tested, the numbers would be higher.
Without better testing, we can’t know what our real numbers are.

 

We need proper testing to fight COVID-19

The NH Division of Public Health Services, Bureau of Infectious Disease Control, has announced a Weekly Summary Report, with more details than are provided in the daily reports from the Department of Health & Human Services. Today, May 7 the NH DHHS has issued its “weekly” report for the week ending May 4. [This is the first weekly report since the week ending April 27, which was issued the same day.].

As of May 4, 713 healthcare workers have been infected (27.6% of all confirmed cases). 24 of the medical care workers were hospitalized; one died.

  • More women have tested positive than men by about 11%. However, approximately 60% of the hospitalizations and 60% of the deaths are men.
  • 18 kids under 9 years have tested positive. 19% of those infected are 50-59 years old, the largest age group. Those who are 30-39, 40-49, and 60-69 are each 13-14% of the cases. 20% of the confirmed cases are 70 or older, however, these age groups make up almost 40% of the cases, and 85% of the deaths.
  • Race/Ethnicity: Although 90% of NH’s population is white; they only account for 76.4% of the confirmed infections, 82% of the hospitalizations, and 91.5% of the deaths. Hispanic/Latino make up 3.9% of the population, but 7.4% of the infections, 7.8% of the hospitalizations, and 6.8% of the deaths. Blacks/African Americans are 1.4% of the population, and 5.4% of the infections, 3.7% of hospitalizations, and 1.7% of the deaths.  Asians are 3.0% of the population, and 4.1% of the cases; no Asians from NH have died. All other races are 1.8% of the population, and 7.7% of the population, 2.4% of hospitalizations, and 1.7% of deaths.
  • Persons in Hillsborough County, including Manchester and Nashua, make up 44.7% of all infections, 46.5% of hospitalizations, and 46.5% of the deaths. Persons in Rockingham County (Salem and Derry) make up 33.9% of the total infections, 31.1% of the hospitalizations, and 32.6% of all deaths.  The third most impacted county is Merrimack (Concord), which only has 7.7% of all infections.

NH News relating to COVID-19

Ongoing issues with the State Joint Information Center

I have not heard any more regarding my Freedom of Information request from the Dept of Health and Human Services / State Joint Information Center regarding the errors and discrepancies that I have found in their reports.

Reopening task force takes comments on double standards, beaches

On Friday, the task force heard complaints that small businesses are being held to stricter standards than big box stores or grocery stores, concerns about not knowing when beaches will reopen, concerns from wedding venues, and tanning salons. This afternoon the task force was scheduled to discuss beach opening timings and processes. Read more.

Dentist Offices

Dentist offices can open on Monday, although they were never ordered to close. It’s up to individual dental offices to determine when they will reopen. Guidelines for dentists are coming. Read more.

Boston cancellations include the Boston Pops

Boston Mayor Marty Walsh announced Friday that all large events, such as parades and festivals, in the city will be canceled until Labor Day. The fate of the Red Sox games is still unknown.

The Boston Pops will hold a show that is available online, on the radio, and on TV this year. It will pay “tribute to the frontline workers in many fields and [honor] those who have lost their lives during the current health crisis, while celebrating our diverse nation’s founding values of liberty and justice for all,” according to the Pops.

Ok, it’s not NH news, but this is still of interest to many in NH. Read more.

Governor’s Press Conference

Dentists:

  • The State is issuing guidance allowing dentist offices to reopen on Monday.
  • The State is working with dental offices to make PPE available to them.

Personal Protective Equipment:

  • The State has received thousands of requests for millions of mask from businesses to offer to their employees and customers through the new portal; there is more info athttps://www.nheconomy.com
  • 1500 orders were processed yesterday and another 1,500 orders were processed today; more will be processed next week.
  • Gov. Sununu says we have enough supplies to meet the needs of our communities

Testing for COVID-19:

  • The state announced an online portal to schedule COVID-19 testing on Wednesday.
  • They have already received 3,500 test requests.
  • This form is solely used by NH Homeland Security and Emergency Management to coordinate the scheduling of COVID-19 testing in conjunction with the New Hampshire National Guard at specific testing locations (Clairmont, Lancaster, Milford, Plymouth, Rochester or Tamworth.)
    Additional information regarding COVID-19 Testing is available in the NH DHHS Health Alert Network Message #15.
  • Although Salem has been one of the heaviest hit communities in the state, there are no locations in our town.
  • The locations most convenient to Salem are Convenient MD (125 Indian Rock Road, Windham, near I-93 Exit 3) or Parkland Medical Center in Derry.

Antibody testing

  • The state has entered into an agreement with Clearchoice MD to do antibody testing at no cost to NH residents.
  • The state will pick up any charges for antibody testing that are not covered by insurance, so there will not be a charge to anyone wishing to have this test.
  • ClearChoice has 8 locations — Alton, Belmont, Epping, Goffstown, Hooksett, Lebanon, Lincoln, Portsmouth, and Tilton — although none are convenient to those of us here in Salem.
  • Commissioner Shibinette reminded viewers that this does not prove immunity.

My observation: Outdated websites for testing facilities

  • I observed that the websites for both Convenient MD and ClearChoice MD do not reflect the current information regarding testing qualifications (healthcare worker, symptoms, aged over 60 or underlying health issues) or the non-charge policy for antibody testing as the Governor announced on Wednesday or today.
  • Don’t give up, based on what you see on these websites!

Commissioner Shibinette’s Public Health Update

  • “Hospitalizations are at 309, which is 10% of our total [confirmed cases], which we should note is a continued downward trend. 7 new deaths today to report today, 5 in long-term care facilities, for a total of 121 deaths.”
  • We have tested 32,000 tests in NH, with well over 1500 per day for the last few days. With new testing sites, and mobile testing units, we expect to be well over 2,000 per day by end of next week.

Governor’s message to Dads: Mother’s Day is Sunday

  • The Governor gave a reminder to Dad’s: This Mother’s Day is extra special. Kids aren’t bringing in projects from school.

 

Salem Government

The Town of Salem’s Emergency Operations Center Team (EOC) will be making weekly reports every Monday evening at 7:00. Their reports can be seen at http://sctv-17.com/CablecastPublicSite/?channel=1

Find other Salem Government board meetings: https://www.townofsalemnh.org/boards

To watch past or live viewings:

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.

Disclaimer:

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.”

On April 8, the National Academy of Sciences reported that 16 out of 51 tests were inaccurate. (false negatives). Others also have concerns about both false negatives and false positives.

Please keep these ideas in mind as you review the information on this page or any other page.

Resources to help in these challenging times:

Have Questions?

NH residents can dial the state’s COVID-19 hotline at 2-1-1 or 603-271-4496 for answers to questions related to the outbreak and to be directed to available resources for help.

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.

The IRS has released its new app to track stimulus payments, “Get My Payment.” which had been scheduled to be released on April 17. Expect to wait. (And possibly, like me, be disappointed.) If your info isn’t available today, try again tomorrow, as info is going to be updated every night.

Resource Compilations:

From Congresswoman Annie Kuster: A list of many resources, including Keeping Safe from COVID-19; New Hampshire Specific COVID-19 Information; Direct Payment to Granite Staters (Economic Impact Payments); Support for Small Businesses; Unemployment Assistance; Sexual Assault/Domestic Violence Survivors; Student Loans; Taxes; Traveling Internationally; Veterans. https://kuster.house.gov/covid-19

Mental Health Resources, compiled by Jan Schmidt, Alderman and State Rep in Nashua. http://janschmidt4ward1.com/uncategorized/free-online-meetings-and-virtual-platforms/

How You Can Help Others:

Masks:

There is no excuse for not having a mask!!!

Salem:

New Hampshire:

New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services:

Office of the Governor: https://www.governor.nh.gov

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/ Sign up for her “Daily or So COVID-19 Updates” https://actionnetwork.org/forms/daily-or-so-covid-19-updates

More info about COVID-19

COVID-19: The CIDRAP Viewpoint.  https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/sites/default/files/public/downloads/cidrap-covid19-viewpoint-part1_0.pdfhttps://www.cidrap.umn.edu/sites/default/files/public/downloads/cidrap-covid19-viewpoint-part1_0.pdf

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:


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

Tuft’s University: COVID-19 Convalescent (Recovered) Patient Registry

Trackers (Cases)

The World Health Organization:
https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019

Media with NH COVID-19 news:

Housing

Unemployment

Financial Assistance

Link to other  NH benefits:

Businesses and Employers: Guidance for Small Businesses 

Sources for data included in these reports:

Please report any errors or omissions to bonnie@bonnie4salem.us. Thank you.