Posted on by Bonnie

COVID-19 Update 22 November 2021

COVID-19 numbers are growing. NH has more active cases now than we have ever had, and more patients hospitalized with COVID-19 than ever before, too.

SALEM:

  • Salem since last update: 102 new cases
  • Total: 3,892 confirmed cases in Salem
  • We now have 107 active cases (94 last week)
  • Salem’s daily average: 101 active cases this week
  • 1 out of every 8 Salem residents has been infected.
  • Salem’s new cases per 100K for 14 days: 619 (481 last week)
  • Salem’s Positivity Rate for the past 2 weeks: 10.5%. (9.3% last week).
  • Salem had 1.4% of the new cases this week. (Salem has 2.2% of NH’s population.)
  • Fully vaccinated Salem residents: 14,556 (48.7%). 
  • Partially vaccinated Salem residents: 16,036 (53.6%). 

NEW HAMPSHIRE:

  • New cases of COVID-19 in NH this week by math (Total cases last week compared to total cases today): 7,100. (5,517 last week) 
  • New cases of COVID-19 in NH this week as reported by DHHS: 7,238. Last week: 5,595.
  • 1 out of every 9 NH residents has been infected. 
  • Active COVID-19 cases in NH: 7,966 (6,295 last week). We had 6,994 on December 27). There were 155 active cases on June 28.
  • Recovered in NH this week: 5,387. (4,355 last week.)
  • State Level of Transmission: Substantial in all counties 
  • New patients hospitalized this week because of COVID-19: 53. Last week: 21.
  • Current patients hospitalized because of COVID-19: 343 (260 one week ago)
  • New admissions to ICU this week because of COVID-19: 12. 
  • New deaths attributed to COVID-19 reported in NH this week: 42 (Last week: 31)
  • From the Vaccination Dashboard: Total NH individuals fully vaccinated: 771,293 (54.9%). Total NH individuals partially vaccinated: 858,415 (60.7%). Per NHPR: “Over the summer, the gap in vaccinations as reported by the state and the CDC grew to a discrepancy of more than 200,000 first doses. The state health department’s data is currently showing 60 percent of the total population has received at least one dose of the vaccine, while the CDC puts that same figure at 75 percent.” In a governor’s press conference a few weeks ago, State officials reported that the CDC records for vaccinations in NH are more accurate than the State’s records. It might take weeks or months to resolve the issues.

Hello, Salem!

Random thoughts from this week:

The State continues to have issues. They are still reporting multiple days together in their updates, although the counts on previous days are now quite lower than they had been. They are also still reporting significantly lower vaccination rates than the CDC is reporting for our State.

Governor Sununu stated that he was going to resume weekly press conferences, but the last one I can find was almost 2 weeks ago. Therefore, all of the info that I can find comes from NH DHHS. And that info is concerning:

Salem still has 1 out of 8 residents who have been officially diagnosed with COVID-19, but I will be very surprised if we haven’t dropped to 1:7 by this time next week.

Earlier this week, NH broke our previous record for the number of people who are known to have active infections. And then we broke that record again.

Today we have more active cases today than we have ever had, including when we hit our peak last December 27. Then we had 6,994 active cases. We are now at 7,966 active cases, a new record for our state. This is an increase of 1,500 active cases since last Monday, and an increase of 7,100 new cases this week. (5,387 people were reported as “recovered” this week).

Hospitalizations for those with COVID hit a new peak, with 343 patients currently hospitalized. That’s an increase of 83 patients in the past week. The previous peak was 335 on January 2. Deaths associated with COVID-19 are still increasing, too.

All of this is before Thanksgiving. Our previous peaks were in late December/early January, following Thanksgiving feasts and Holiday parties. We are just starting the holiday season. Today’s numbers don’t bode well for New Hampshire over the next two months.

And today’s numbers don’t bode well for elsewhere, either. At the current rate of daily covid mortality, the USA will likely exceed 800,000 deaths before my next report.

Other news:

I stumbled across this article from John Hopkins about the history of mRNA vaccines. I found it quite educational.

I have been told from a reliable government official that the Attorney General’s office has said that there is a federal order, which, because of the direct threat Covid-19 causes, allows any businesses to refuse anyone who does not wear a mask. Please note that the federal order overrides the ADA rule, including those with a disability.


Per CDC guidelines:

  • Everyone 2 years of age or older who is not fully vaccinated should wear a mask in indoor public places.
  • If you are fully vaccinated, to maximize protection from the Delta variant and prevent possibly spreading it to others, wear a mask indoors in public if you are in an area of substantial or high transmission. 

Per NH DHHS:
Salem, Rockingham County, and all of NH are at a substantial level of transmission. New Hampshire has been at a substantial level of community transmission for months.

Times are difficult for so many right now. However, this is a good time to remember to look for the positive things to be thankful for. I hope you can find something to appreciate in your life. If you are being thankful with others this next week, please be careful that you don’t serve (or bring home) more than yummy leftovers.

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

~Bonnie 

On Tuesday, November 16, 2021, DHHS announced 774 new positive test results for COVID-19 for Monday, November 15. Today’s results include 392 people who tested positive by PCR test and 382 who tested positive by antigen test. DHHS also announced an additional 17 new cases from Thursday, November 11 (6 by PCR and 11 by antigen test, for a new total of 1,070); and an additional 26 new cases from Friday, November 12 (11 by PCR and 15 by antigen test, for a new total of 701). There are now 6,344 current COVID-19 cases diagnosed in New Hampshire.  DHHS also reported 3 additional deaths that occurred between September 20 and October 18, two of whom were under 60 years of age.

On Wednesday, November 17, 2021, DHHS announced 928 new positive test results for COVID-19 for Tuesday, November 16. Today’s results include 641 people who tested positive by PCR test and 287 who tested positive by antigen test. DHHS also announced an additional 151 new cases from Friday, November 12 (95 by PCR and 56 by antigen test) for a new total of 852; an additional 13 new cases from Saturday, November 13 (13 by PCR and 0 by antigen test) for a new total of 929; and an additional 6 new cases from Monday, November 15 (0 by PCR and 6 by antigen test) for a new total of 780. There are now 6,910 current COVID-19 cases diagnosed in New Hampshire. 

On Thursday, November 18, 2021, DHHS announced 986 new positive test results for COVID-19 for Wednesday, November 17. Today’s results include 615 people who tested positive by PCR test and 371 who tested positive by antigen test. DHHS also announced an additional 19 new cases from Friday, November 12 (10 by PCR and 9 by antigen test) for a new total of 871; an additional 34 new cases from Saturday, November 13 (20 by PCR and 14 by antigen test) for a new total of 963; an additional 24 new cases from Sunday, November 14 (20 by PCR and 4 by antigen test) for a new total of 503; an additional 70 new cases from Monday, November 15 (63 by PCR and 7 by antigen test) for a new total of 849; and an additional 9 new cases from Tuesday, November 16 (1 by PCR and 8 by antigen test) for a new total of 937. There are now 7,632 current COVID-19 cases diagnosed in New Hampshire. 

On Friday, November 19, 2021, DHHS announced 896 new positive test results for COVID-19 for Thursday, November 18. Today’s results include 630 people who tested positive by PCR test and 266 who tested positive by antigen test. DHHS also announced an additional 47 new cases from Monday, November 15 (29 by PCR and 18 by antigen test) for a new total of 897; an additional 79 new cases from Tuesday, November 16 (56 by PCR and 23 by antigen test) for a new total of 1,016; and an additional 4 new cases from Wednesday, November 17 (2 by PCR and 2 by antigen test) for a new total of 989. There are now 7,604 current COVID-19 cases diagnosed in New Hampshire. 

On Monday, November 22, 2021, DHHS announced 603 new positive test results for COVID-19 for Sunday, November 21. Today’s results include 484 people who tested positive by PCR test and 119 who tested positive by antigen test. DHHS also announced 1092 cases from Friday, November 19 (722 by PCR and 370 by antigen test), and 1192 cases from Saturday, November 20 (903 by PCR and 289 by antigen test). Additionally, DHHS announced an additional 18 new cases from Monday, November 15 (9 by PCR and 9 by antigen test) for a new total of 915; an additional 78 new cases from Tuesday, November 16 (38 by PCR and 40 by antigen test) for a new total of 1,094; an additional 116 new cases from Wednesday, November 17 (82 by PCR and 34 by antigen test) for a new total of 1,105; and an additional 56 new cases from Thursday, November 18 (27 by PCR and 29 by antigen test) for a new total of 952.  There are now 7,966 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.” 

• • • • • • DIAGNOSTIC TESTS IN NH • • • • • •

  • Total people who have tested positive: 150,813 (146,834) last week)
  • New positive cases reported this week by math (Comparison of total number of cases last week to now): 7,100 (5,517 last week)
  • New positive cases per DHHS: 7,238 (5,595 last week)

• • • • • ACTIVE CASES • • • • • • 

  • NH has 7,966 active cases. Last week we had 6,295. We were down to 214 cases as recently as June 28. Previous peak was 6,994 on December 27, 2020. 

• • • • • CUMULATIVE CASES • • • • • • 

  • 1 out of every 8 Salem residents has been infected 
  • 1 out of every 9 residents of Rockingham County 
  • 1 out of every 9 residents of NH have been infected.

• • • • • • RECOVERED • • • • • •

  • Total recovered: 144,296 (138,909 last week)
  • Recovered this week: 5,387 (4,355 last week)
  • Percentage of diagnosed cases that have recovered: 93.9% (98.3% in late July.) 

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

  • Every county in NH, as well as Manchester and Nashua, are at Substantial risk for community transmission.
  • Cases per 100K NH residents: 744 (584 last week.
  • Positivity Rate for NH: 8.8% (7.2% last week)

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

  • Currently hospitalized: 343 (Last week: 260). NH’s previous peak was reached on January 2, with 335 COVID hospitalizations.
  • Staffed hospital beds available: 12.1% (12.8 % last week)
  • Total hospitalized patients: 2,068 (2,015  last week) 
  • New patients hospitalized this week because of COVID-19: 53. (21 last week)
  • Percentage of those who have been infected that have been hospitalized: 1.3% 
  • Total ICU patients: 588. (576 last week)
  • New admissions to ICU this week because of COVID-19: 12 (-2 last week)
  • Staffed adult ICU beds available: 10.3%. (Last week: 6.5%)
  • Ventilators available: 72.2% (72.7% last week)

• • • • • • DEATHS IN NH • • • • • • 

  • Total fatalities in NH associated with COVID-19: 1,672
  • New deaths attributed to COVID-19 reported in NH this week: 42 (Last week: 31)
  • NH Residents diagnosed with COVID-19 that died: 1.09% 

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

(Showing changes since last week)

  • 0-9: Infections: 12235 (+960); Hospitalizations: 24 (+2); Deaths: 0 (+0)
  • 10-19: Infections: 21172 (+1134); Hospitalizations: 17 (+1); Deaths: 0 (+0)
  • 20-29: Infections: 27984 (+936); Hospitalizations: 48 (+0); Deaths: 2 (+0)
  • 30-39: Infections: 22888 (+1037); Hospitalizations: 93 (+4); Deaths: 12 (+0)
  • 40-49: Infections: 19923 (+936); Hospitalizations: 160 (+6); Deaths: 27 (+1)
  • 50-59: Infections: 22010 (+960); Hospitalizations: 292 (+10); Deaths: 61 (+6)
  • 60-69: Infections: 14892 (+712); Hospitalizations: 473 (+14); Deaths: 187 (+7)
  • 70-79: Infections: 7260 (+276); Hospitalizations: 494 (+13); Deaths: 402 (+13)
  • 80+: Infections: 5359 (+142); Hospitalizations: 467 (+7); Deaths: 981 (+23)
  • Unknown: Infections: 211 (+7); Hospitalizations: 0 (+0); Deaths: 0 (+0)
  • Total: Infections: 153934 (+7100); Hospitalizations: 2068 (+57); Deaths: 1672 (+50)
  • New Infections in the Past 4 Weeks vs. All NH Cases 
  • 0-9: 13.3% vs. 7.9% (+5.4%)
  • 10-19: 16.1% vs. 13.8% (+2.3%)
  • 20-29: 13.2% vs. 18.2% (-5%)
  • 30-39: 14.6% vs. 14.9% (-0.3%)
  • 40-49: 12.9% vs. 12.9% (0%)
  • 50-59: 12.6% vs. 14.3% (-1.7%)
  • 60-69: 9.7% vs. 9.7% (0%)
  • 70-79: 4.5% vs. 4.7% (-0.2%)
  • 80+: 2.6% vs. 3.5% (-0.9%)
  • Unknown: 0.4% vs. 0.1% (+0.3%)

Additional Age Stats

  • 1,948 children under 18 are included in this week’s new cases.  (1,577 last week)
  • 26.9% of new cases announced by DHHS this week are kids under 18 years old. 
  • Under 60, this week: 5,963 new cases; 21 hospitalizations; 7 deaths
  • 60+, this week: 1,130 new cases; 32 hospitalizations; 35 deaths

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

  • NH DHHS reported 24 institutional outbreaks as of Thursday, Nov. 18. 
  • Details about these active outbreaks, and all closed outbreaks, can be seen here.
  • This week: 116 people from long-term care facilities were diagnosed, 4 were hospitalized, 14 died. (Total: 7,958 cases; 353 hospitalizations; 1001 deaths.)
  • This week: 159 healthcare workers were diagnosed, 0 were hospitalized, 0 died. (Total: 6,422 cases; 94 hospitalizations, 11 deaths.) 

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

Per WMUR, NH has had:

  • Number of B.1.1.7 variant (Alpha; UK) cases: 1,259 No change) 
  • Number of B.1.351 variant (Beta; South Africa) cases: 2 (No change)
  • Number of P.1 variant (Gamma; Brazil) cases: 203 (No change)
  • Number of B.1.617.2 variant (Delta; India) cases: 2,144 (2,090 last week)

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.

The chart above was published in the September issue of the AARP Bulletin. It is based on information from the article, “Vital Statistics: Provisional Life Expectancy Estimates for 2020,” which was published by the CDC.

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.

Breakthrough COVID-19 symptoms:

  • While some vaccinated people are getting COVID, it is still rare, and 99.9% of all recent hospitalizations and deaths associated with COVID-19 are people who are not vaccinated.
  • CDC reports that 79% of those who are found to have breakthrough infections have a cough, headache, sore throat, myalgia and fever. 
  • NBC says approximately 1 in 900 vaccinated people have had breakthrough infections. The vast majority of those had mild or no symptoms. 

A new study shows that unvaccinated people are 17x more likely to be hospitalized with COVID-19 than people who are fully vaccinated.

Useful links

Sources used to create these reports:

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