Posted on by Bonnie

COVID-19 Update 7 February 2022

SALEM:

  • 1 out of every 4 Salem residents have had confirmed infections. (1:5 last week)
  • Salem since last update: 113 new cases
  • Total: 6,703 confirmed cases in Salem. Last week: 6,590
  • Active cases: 63. Last week: 133
  • Salem’s new cases per 100K for 14 days: 705 (1,434 last week)
  • Salem’s Positivity Rate for the past 7 days: 12.4% (17.0% last week.) 
  • Fully vaccinated Salem residents: 50.0% (+14 people since last week). 

NEW HAMPSHIRE:

  • New cases of COVID-19 in NH this week by math (Total cases last week compared to total cases today): 11,688 (19,063 last week; 29,242 two weeks ago)
  • New cases of COVID-19 in NH this week as reported by DHHS: 7,423. Last week: 11,637.
  • 1 out of every 5 NH residents has been infected.
  • Active COVID-19 cases in NH: 6,277 (10,436 last week; 15,641 two weeks ago)
  • Recovered in NH this week: 11,432 (27,015 last week.)
  • State Level of Transmission: Substantial in all counties 
  • New patients hospitalized this week because of COVID-19: 44 (Last week: 159)
  • Current patients hospitalized because of COVID-19: 206 (Last week: 303)
  • New admissions to ICU this week because of COVID-19: 30 (Last week: 37)
  • New deaths attributed to COVID-19 reported in NH this week: 55 (Last week: 74)
  • Fully vaccinated NH Residents: 56.5% (+1,431 since last week)

If you test positive using an at-home test, self-report your positive test result by calling 603-271-6996. 

Hello, Salem!

Random thoughts from this week:

Just over 2 years ago now, on January 20, 2020, the CDC reported the first U.S. laboratory-confirmed case of COVID-19 from samples taken on January 18 in the State of Washington. NH’s first case of COVID-19 was identified on March 2, 2020. I started my updates on April 3. This is update #475. 

It FEELS like things are much improved. And they are! We peaked with 22,750 active cases on January 13. With 6,277 active COVID-19 cases in NH, we are finally down under last winter’s peak (December 27, 2020), when we had 6,997 active cases. However, we still have a long way to go: We were down to 155 active cases in New Hampshire on June 28, 2021.

And now, a ‘stealth’ Omicron subvariant is spreading, worrying experts. Story here. The Omicron BA.2 variant is about to become the dominant worldwide, says WHO regional director. Story here. The emerging BA.2 form of the Omicron coronavirus variant does not seem to be any more severe than the original BA.1 form says Reuters, but it may be up to1.5 times more contagious than omicron and is already circulating in almost half of U.S. states says CNBC.

What if we’re in the middle — not the end — of the pandemic? If we have learned anything, it is that covid-19 is still evolving. We don’t know when it will strike again. Opinion piece here.

What We Can Learn From How the 1918 Pandemic Ended. Story here.

Alzheimer’s-like changes found in COVID patients’ brains; flu shot, mRNA booster safe together. Story here.

Nervous system consequences of COVID-19. Medical study here; discussion here.

World’s brightest x-rays reveal COVID-19’s damage to the body. A new scanning technique delivers exquisitely detailed images—and could revolutionize the study of human anatomy. Story here.

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.
  • The state’s website is still not loading the list of fixed test sites. 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 1, 2022, DHHS announced 417 new positive test results for COVID-19 for Monday, January 31. Today’s results include 175 people who tested positive by PCR test and 242 who tested positive by antigen test. DHHS also announced an additional 4 new cases from Friday, January 14 (0 by PCR and 4 by antigen test) for a new total of 3,659; an additional 1 new case from Monday, January 17 (1 by PCR and 0 by antigen test) for a new total of 2,056; an additional 55 new cases from Tuesday, January 18 (0 by PCR and 55 by antigen test) for a new total of 1,154; an additional 18 new cases from Wednesday, January 19 (6 by PCR and 12 by antigen test) for a new total of 2,935; an additional 1 new case from Friday, January 21 (0 by PCR and 1 by antigen test) for a new total of 2,924; and an additional 3 new cases from Friday, January 28 (0 by PCR and 3 by antigen test) for a new total of 1,601. There are now 9,104 current COVID-19 cases diagnosed in New Hampshire. 

On Tuesday, DHHS also reported four additional deaths that occurred more than two weeks ago during the weeks ending Nov 1, Nov. 29, Dec. 27 and January 3. One was under aged 60. One was from Rockingham County.

On Wednesday, February 2, 2022, DHHS announced 935 new positive test results for COVID-19 for Tuesday, February 1. Today’s results include 564 people who tested positive by PCR test and 371 who tested positive by antigen test. DHHS also announced an additional 229 new cases from Tuesday, January 18 (12 by PCR and 217 by antigen test) for a new total of 1,383; an additional 34 new cases from Wednesday, January 19 (10 by PCR and 24 by antigen test) for a new total of 2,969; an additional 131 new cases from Thursday, January 20 (81 by PCR and 50 by antigen test) for a new total of 2,450; an additional 4 new cases from Friday, January 21 (0 by PCR and 4 by antigen test) for a new total of 2,928; an additional 1 new case from Saturday, January 22 (1 by PCR and 0 by antigen test) for a new total of 2,320; an additional 1 new case from Sunday, January 23 (0 by PCR and 1 by antigen test) for a new total of 974; an additional 15 new cases from Monday, January 24 (0 by PCR and 15 by antigen test) for a new total of 886; an additional 1 new case from Tuesday, January 25 (0 by PCR and 1 by antigen test) for a new total of 1,039; an additional 7 new cases from Wednesday, January 26 (1 by PCR and 6 by antigen test) for a new total of 1,982; an additional 4 new cases from Thursday, January 27 (0 by PCR and 4 by antigen test) for a new total of 2,031; an additional 2 new cases from Friday, January 28 (0 by PCR and 2 by antigen test) for a new total of 1,603; and an additional 30 new cases from Monday, January 31 (8 by PCR and 22 by antigen test) for a new total of 447. There are now 9,204 current COVID-19 cases diagnosed in New Hampshire. 

On Thursday, February 3, 2022, DHHS announced 840 new positive test results for COVID-19 for Wednesday, February 2. Today’s results include 655 people who tested positive by PCR test and 185 who tested positive by antigen test. DHHS also announced an additional 140 new cases from Tuesday, January 18 (2 by PCR and 138 by antigen test) for a new total of 1,523; an additional 17 new cases from Wednesday, January 19 (3 by PCR and 14 by antigen test) for a new total of 2,986; an additional 104 new cases from Thursday, January 20 (19 by PCR and 85 by antigen test) for a new total of 2,554; an additional 5 new cases from Friday, January 21 (1 by PCR and 4 by antigen test) for a new total of 2,933; an additional 6 new cases from Monday, January 24 (0 by PCR and 6 by antigen test) for a new total of 892; an additional 2 new cases from Tuesday, January 25 (0 by PCR and 2 by antigen test) for a new total of 1,041; an additional 4 new cases from Wednesday, January 26 (2 by PCR and 2 by antigen test) for a new total of 1,986; an additional 11 new cases from Thursday, January 27 (5 by PCR and 6 by antigen test) for a new total of 2,042; an additional 12 new cases from Friday, January 28 (0 by PCR and 12 by antigen test) for a new total of 1,615; an additional 5 new cases from Monday, January 31 (2 by PCR and 3 by antigen test) for a new total of 452; and an additional 97 new cases from Tuesday, February 1 (83 by PCR and 14 by antigen test) for a new total of 1,032. There are now 9,312 current COVID-19 cases diagnosed in New Hampshire. 

On Friday, February 4, 2022, DHHS announced 1,127 new positive test results for COVID-19 for Thursday, February 3. Today’s results include 884 people who tested positive by PCR test and 243 who tested positive by antigen test. DHHS also announced an additional 133 new cases from Wednesday, January 19 (5 by PCR and 128 by antigen test) for a new total of 3,119; an additional 127 new cases from Thursday, January 20 (66 by PCR and 61 by antigen test) for a new total of 2,681; an additional 42 new cases from Friday, January 21 (15 by PCR and 27 by antigen test) for a new total of 2,975; an additional 4 new cases from Saturday, January 22 (3 by PCR and 1 by antigen test) for a new total of 2,324; an additional 1 new case from Sunday, January 23 (0 by PCR and 1 by antigen test) for a new total of 975; an additional 13 new cases from Monday, January 24 (0 by PCR and 13 by antigen test) for a new total of 905; an additional 4 new cases from Tuesday, January 25 (0 by PCR and 4 by antigen test) for a new total of 1,045; an additional 1 new case from Wednesday, January 26 (0 by PCR and 1 by antigen test) for a new total of 1,987; an additional 2 new cases from Thursday, January 27 (0 by PCR and 2 by antigen test) for a new total of 2,044; an additional 6 new cases from Friday, January 28 (0 by PCR and 6 by antigen test) for a new total of 1,621; an additional 3 new cases from Monday, January 31 (0 by PCR and 3 by antigen test) for a new total of 455; an additional 8 new cases from Tuesday, February 1 (0 by PCR and 8 by antigen test) for a new total of 1,040; and an additional 26 new cases from Wednesday, February 2 (2 by PCR and 24 by antigen test) for a new total of 866. There are now 8,464 current COVID-19 cases diagnosed in New Hampshire. 

On Monday, February 7, 2022, DHHS announced 779 new positive test results for COVID-19 for Sunday, February 6. Today’s results include 696 people who tested positive by PCR test and 83 who tested positive by antigen test. DHHS also announced 1,144 cases from Friday, February 4 (876 by PCR and 268 by antigen test); and 121 cases from Saturday, February 5 (98 by PCR and 23 by antigen test). Additionally, DHHS announced an additional 248 new cases from Wednesday, January 19 (8 by PCR and 240 by antigen test) for a new total of 3,367; an additional 196 new cases from Thursday, January 20 (11 by PCR and 185 by antigen test) for a new total of 2,877; an additional 160 new cases from Friday, January 21 (48 by PCR and 112 by antigen test) for a new total of 3,135; an additional 10 new cases from Saturday, January 22 (8 by PCR and 2 by antigen test) for a new total of 2,334; an additional 15 new cases from Monday, January 24 (6 by PCR and 9 by antigen test) for a new total of 920; an additional 3 new cases from Tuesday, January 25 (0 by PCR and 3 by antigen test) for a new total of 1,048; an additional 5 new cases from Wednesday, January 26 (0 by PCR and 5 by antigen test) for a new total of 1,992; an additional 3 new cases from Thursday, January 27 (0 by PCR and 3 by antigen test) for a new total of 2,047; an additional 4 new cases from Friday, January 28 (0 by PCR and 4 by antigen test) for a new total of 1,625; an additional 1 new case from Saturday, January 29 (0 by PCR and 1 by antigen test) for a new total of 1,188; an additional 2 new cases from Sunday, January 30 (0 by PCR and 2 by antigen test) for a new total of 488; an additional 29 new cases from Monday, January 31 (0 by PCR and 29 by antigen test) for a new total of 484; an additional 10 new cases from Tuesday, February 1 (0 by PCR and 10 by antigen test) for a new total of 1,050; an additional 5 new cases from Wednesday, February 2 (1 by PCR and 4 by antigen test) for a new total of 871; and an additional 55 new cases from Thursday, February 3 (3 by PCR and 52 by antigen test) for a new total of 1,182. There are now 6,277 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.” 

• • • • • • 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, self-report your positive test result by calling 603-271-6996. 

• • • • • • DIAGNOSTIC TESTS IN NH — CUMULATIVE CASES • • • • • • 

  • Total people who have tested positive: 284,180. (Last week: 276,856)
  • New positive cases reported this week by math (Comparison of total number of cases last week to now): 11,688. (Last week: 19,063)
  • New positive cases per DHHS: 7,423 (11,637 last week)
  • 4 communities — Manchester, Nashua, Concord, and Derry — are still the only communities with more total cases than Salem. 
  • 1 out of every 4 Salem residents has been infected. (Was 5 last week)
  • 1 out of every 5 residents of Rockingham County.
  • 1 out of every 5 residents of NH have been infected.

• • • • • ACTIVE CASES • • • • • • 

  • 6,277 (Last week: 10,436)
  • This number probably reflects:
    • At home testing not being reported
    • A decrease in new cases
    • Faster “recovery” times based on new CDC guidelines.
  • 22 towns are reporting more active cases than Salem.

• • • • • • RECOVERED • • • • • •

  • Total recovered: 275,643 
  • Recovered this week: 11,432 (16,857 last week)
  • Percentage of diagnosed cases that have recovered: 97.0%
  • “Recovered” is considered no longer contagious, but 1/3-1/2 have or will develop long-term effects

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

  • Every county in NH, as well as Manchester and Nashua, are at Substantial risk for community transmission.
  • DHHS has been publishing Cases per 100K and positivity rate on the school dashboard. They are revamping that dashboard, so we don’t have the state totals. 
  • Cases per 100K NH residents: ??? (1,749 last week.)
  • Hillsborough excluding Manchester and Nashua had the lowest count (825.2). Cheshire County has the highest count (1,472)
  • Positivity Rate for NH for the past week: ??? (14.8% last week.)
  • Grafton County has the lowest rate (5.8%). Cheshire County has the highest rate (17.8%)
  • Salem’s Positivity Rate is now 12.4%
  • When the positivity rate is high, it is likely that cases are undercounted.
  • Positivity rates do not allow for those who self-diagnosed, or who have taken at-home tests.

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

  • Currently hospitalized: 206 (Last week: 303). 
  • Staffed hospital beds available: 13.6% (Last week: 13.3%)
  • Total patients who have been hospitalized with COVID-19: 3,244 (3,200 last week) 
  • New patients hospitalized this week because of COVID-19: 87 (159 last week)
  • Percentage of those who have been infected that have been hospitalized: 1.1%
  • Total ICU patients: 898 (882 last week)
  • New admissions to ICU this week because of COVID-19: 16. (Last week: 32)
  • Staffed adult ICU beds available: 15.9% (Last week: 11.4%)
  • NY Times reports that of 10 hospitals surrounding Salem, there is an average of 23 COVID-19 patients, an average of 1 ICU bed available, and an average of 88% ICU occupancy. By comparison, last week it was 8 hospitals, an average of 33 COVID-19 patients, an average of 1 ICU bed available, and an average of 87% ICU occupancy. 
  • DHHS says hospital capacity info is, “For Informational Purposes Only. If you need care, seek care. Hospitals are available to meet your medical needs.
  • Ventilators available: 80.3%
  • Per WMUR: 36.2% of NH’s current patients hospitalized with COVID-19 are unvaccinated, 27.6% are fully up-to-date; 20% are partially up-to-date, and 16.2% are of unknown vaccine status.

• • • • • • DEATHS IN NH • • • • • • 

  • Total fatalities in NH associated with COVID-19: 2,260
  • New deaths attributed to COVID-19 reported in NH since my last update: 55 (Last week: 74)

• • • • • • AGES • • • • • •

  • 2,598 children under 18 are included in this week’s new cases. (3,300 last week)
  • 35.0% of new cases announced by DHHS this week are kids under 18 years old. (28.4% last week)
  • Under 60, this week: 6,380 new cases. 14 hospitalizations; 4 deaths
  • 60+, this week: 944 new cases; 30 hospitalizations; 47 deaths
  • Schools: “As with many states, New Hampshire is transitioning to a more sustainable surveillance approach for schools to report COVID-19 cases. K-12 schools, colleges and universities will begin reporting the aggregate number of COVID-19 infections in students and staff on a weekly basis. Please refer back to this page the week of February 14 for weekly aggregate reporting of COVID-19 cases associated with school settings.”

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

  • NH DHHS reported 54 institutional outbreaks as of Wednesday, February 2. There were 47 institutions last week, 42 the previous week and 37 the week before.
  • In Salem:
    • Salem Haven is still reported as having 32 residents who have been infected, but the staff infected is now 33 (was 20 last week). Last week they reported four deaths, but that count is now at six.
    • Greystone Farm is reporting 11 residents, and 7 staff that have been infected, and one death. Last week they reported 9 residents, 5 staff, and no deaths.
  • 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 1.5 weeks, NH sampled 126 Delta and 438 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: 4,940 (Last week: 4,925)
  • Number of B.1.1.529 variant (Omicron): 878 (Last week: 688) 

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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