Posted on by Bonnie

COVID-19 Update 14 February 2022

COVID-19 Update 14 February 2022

These updates are a labor of love for Salem residents, so Happy Valentine’s Day, Salem!

Unfortunately, according to WMUR, NHDHHS is updating their website, and did not issue an update today, nor a full update last Friday. Now, this Monday evening, the website is not functioning at all, so I’m unable to collect data that I normally collect once per week. Tonight’s update will have half of the usual info, but that data will take me longer to compile, as the data has to be fully calculated by hand. 

SALEM:

  • New cases in Salem since my last update: 56 as of Friday.
  • Total: 6,759 confirmed cases in Salem as of Friday.
  • Active cases: 51 as of Friday.
  • 1 out of every 4 Salem residents have had confirmed infections.

NEW HAMPSHIRE:

  • New cases of COVID-19 in NH this week as reported by DHHS: 4,011 as of Friday.
  • 1 out of every 5 NH residents has been infected as of last Monday.
  • Active COVID-19 cases in NH: 5,343 as of Friday.
  • Recovered in NH this week: 11,432 as of Friday.
  • New patients hospitalized this week because of COVID-19: 112 as of Friday.
  • New admissions to ICU this week because of COVID-19: 24 as of Friday.
  • New deaths attributed to COVID-19 reported in NH this week: 34 as of Friday.

At the opening of the Governor’s press conference this week, Governor Sununu’s State Epidemiologist, Dr. Benjamin Chan, reported that at home test results no longer need to be reported by healthcare providers, and community partners such as schools, childcare providers, etc. The State of NH will rely only on laboratory reports and provider conducted tests to track disease incidents. Dr Chan admitted that the numbers reported by the State will decrease.

I’m eager to see the new design of the State’s website, but wonder how this change in data collection and reporting will impact my updates.


Hello, Salem!

Random thoughts from this week:

  • Starting today, February 14, Salem students are no longer required to wear masks at school. Students and teachers MAY wear masks, but it is now optional. (They must continue to wear mask on school buses, per federal regulations.).
  • Study: About 1-in-3 COVID-19 patients develop a new symptom months after they have “recovered.” Some of the developed symptoms include changes to their organs and systems, including heart, kidneys, lungs and liver. The infection also impacted mental health conditions, according to the study. COVID-19 patients were more likely to develop respiratory failure, fatigue, high blood pressure and mental health diagnoses.
  • World’s brightest x-rays reveal COVID-19’s damage to the body. Story here or here.
  • The Omicron BA.2 variant, the sister of the original Omicron variant, is becoming the dominant worldwide. BA.2 is more transmissible than BA.1 so we expect to see BA.2 increasing in detection around the world,” said Maria Van Kerkhove, the WHO’s COVID-19 technical lead. WHO is watching to see if BA.2 causes a new round of infections in countries that already saw a rise in omicron variant cases. “If you’re with someone in a room who has the virus, you will get it. The moment you take your mask off to drink and eat — you never know when you’ll get it.” Story here.
  • Omicron’s surprising anatomy: Why it’s so contagious. Story here.
  • Omicron, especially BA.2, may not be detected by at-home antigen tests.
  • It is possible to have Omicron BA.2, even if you have had the original Omicron, or earlier variants of the COVID-19 virus. Story here.
  • Conflicting reports: Monoclonals many not work against BA.2. Story here.
  • Deltacron? A report from the UK indicates that it might be legit after all. More here.
    How effective are vaccines and boosters? Report here.
  • Some symptoms of Omicron include lower back pain, chapped lips, fatigue/exhaustion, headache, sore throat, runny nose, sneezing, fever, cough, hair falling out, stomach issues, eye infection, strange rash or infection on your toes (COVID-19 toes), dry skin, heat rash, and hives. Sources: Here, here, here and here.
  • NH has COVID-19 tests available at cost ($11.29) at NH liquor stores while supplies last.
  • “Booster data is all messed up … It just is.” ~ Governor Sununu in his press conference on Feb 9.

More Useful links:

  • Free N95 masks! Details here.
  • You can reuse these masks! Here’s how.Free Rapid test kits! Sign up to get yours here. Orders are being fulfilled as tests come in.
  • Here’s what you should do, if you test positive at home.
  • There is a fixed site in Salem for walk-in COVID-19 vaccinations. These fixed sites will likely be open through March. The state’s website is still not loading the list of fixed vaccination sites. WMUR lists Salem’s location as 315 S. Broadway, 315 S. Broadway) – Open daily from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. 
  • If you need a COVID-19 test, this link might help.

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

~Bonnie 

The following section is a summary of the DHHS updates/press releases. The new cases are added together, and reported on my calendar, below, as the “new cases” (reported) for that day. I have not seen an explanation as to why there are numbers from up to 18 days included in some day’s updates

On Tuesday, February 8, 2022, DHHS announced 307 new positive test results for COVID-19 for Monday, February 7. Today’s results include 92 people who tested positive by PCR test and 215 who tested positive by antigen test. DHHS also announced an additional 106 new cases from Thursday, January 20 (7 by PCR and 99 by antigen test) for a new total of 2,983; an additional 18 new cases from Friday, January 21 (10 by PCR and 8 by antigen test) for a new total of 3,153; an additional 5 new cases from Saturday, January 22 (5 by PCR and 0 by antigen test) for a new total of 2,339; an additional 7 new cases from Sunday, January 23 (7 by PCR and 0 by antigen test) for a new total of 982; an additional 16 new cases from Monday, January 24 (6 by PCR and 10 by antigen test) for a new total of 936; an additional 2 new cases from Tuesday, January 25 (0 by PCR and 2 by antigen test) for a new total of 1,050; an additional 1 new case from Wednesday, January 26 (1 by PCR and 0 by antigen test) for a new total of 1,993; an additional 4 new cases from Thursday, January 27 (0 by PCR and 4 by antigen test) for a new total of 2,051; an additional 1 new case from Monday, January 31 (0 by PCR and 1 by antigen test) for a new total of 485; and an additional 1 new case from Friday, February 4 (0 by PCR and 1 by antigen test) for a new total of 1,145. There are now 5,284 current COVID-19 cases diagnosed in New Hampshire. 

On Tuesday, DHHS also reported deaths that occurred more than two weeks ago. One was from the week of January 3, two from the week of January 10. All were 60+. One was from Rockingham County.

On Wednesday, February 9, 2022, DHHS announced 786 new positive test results for COVID-19 for Tuesday, February 8. Today’s results include 523 people who tested positive by PCR test and 263 who tested positive by antigen test. DHHS also announced an additional 200 new cases from Friday, January 21 (10 by PCR and 190 by antigen test) for a new total of 3,353; an additional 89 new cases from Saturday, January 22 (48 by PCR and 41 by antigen test) for a new total of 2,428; an additional 39 new cases from Sunday, January 23 (28 by PCR and 11 by antigen test) for a new total of 1,021; an additional 81 new cases from Monday, January 24 (66 by PCR and 15 by antigen test) for a new total of 1,017; an additional 15 new cases from Tuesday, January 25 (1 by PCR and 14 by antigen test) for a new total of 1,065; an additional 5 new cases from Wednesday, January 26 (0 by PCR and 5 by antigen test) for a new total of 1,998; an additional 7 new cases from Thursday, January 27 (0 by PCR and 7 by antigen test) for a new total of 2,058; an additional 2 new cases from Friday, January 28 (0 by PCR and 2 by antigen test) for a new total of 1,624; an additional 3 new cases from Monday, January 31 (0 by PCR and 3 by antigen test) for a new total of 488; an additional 5 new cases from Tuesday, February 1 (0 by PCR and 5 by antigen test) for a new total of 1,055; an additional 2 new cases from Wednesday, February 2 (0 by PCR and 2 by antigen test) for a new total of 873; and an additional 6 new cases from Monday, February 7 (0 by PCR and 6 by antigen test) for a new total of 313. There are now 5,818 current COVID-19 cases diagnosed in New Hampshire. 

On Thursday, February 10, 2022, DHHS announced 747 new positive test results for COVID-19 for Wednesday, February 9. Today’s results include 518 people who tested positive by PCR test and 229 who tested positive by antigen test. DHHS also announced an additional 73 new cases from Friday, January 21 (4 by PCR and 69 by antigen test) for a new total of 3,426; an additional 9 new cases from Saturday, January 22 (3 by PCR and 6 by antigen test) for a new total of 2,437; an additional 9 new cases from Sunday, January 23 (0 by PCR and 9 by antigen test) for a new total of 1,030; an additional 130 new cases from Monday, January 24 (49 by PCR and 81 by antigen test) for a new total of 1,147; an additional 135 new cases from Tuesday, January 25 (47 by PCR and 88 by antigen test) for a new total of 1,200; an additional 21 new cases from Wednesday, January 26 (5 by PCR and 16 by antigen test) for a new total of 2,019; an additional 2 new cases from Thursday, January 27 (0 by PCR and 2 by antigen test) for a new total of 2,060; an additional 8 new cases from Friday, January 28 (0 by PCR and 8 by antigen test) for a new total of 1,632; an additional 10 new cases from Monday, January 31 (0 by PCR and 10 by antigen test) for a new total of 498; an additional 5 new cases from Tuesday, February 1 (0 by PCR and 5 by antigen test) for a new total of 1,060; and an additional 1 new case from Tuesday, February 8 (0 by PCR and 1 by antigen test) for a new total of 787. There are now 6,064 current COVID-19 cases diagnosed in New Hampshire. 

DHHS did not provide a press release/update for Friday or Monday.

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, the State no longer wants you to self-report your positive test result. You will not be counted unless you have a follow up PCR test.

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

  • NH DHHS reported 60 institutional outbreaks as of Wednesday. There were 54 institutional outbreaks as of Wednesday, February 2. These numbers are steadily increasing, as we had 47 institutions the week before, 42 the previous week and 37 the week before that.
  • In Salem:
    • Salem Haven is still reported as having 32 residents and 33 staff who have been infected. The number of deaths is still at six.
    • The recent outbreak at Greystone Farm is now closed.
  • Details about these active outbreaks, and all closed outbreaks, can be seen here.
  • This week: 419 people from long-term care facilities were diagnosed bringing the total to 11,656. 12 were hospitalized (435 total), 12 died (1,075 total). 
  • This week: 535 healthcare workers were diagnosed, bringing the total to 9,923. 6 were hospitalized (116 total). 2 died (19 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 week, NH sampled 2 Delta and 190 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: 4,942 (Last week: 4,940)
  • Number of B.1.1.529 variant (Omicron): 1,068 (Last week: 878) 

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:

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