COVID-19 Update May 17 – Bonnie4Salem

COVID-19 Update May 17

Salem: 211 confirmed cases, 116 cases are still active.

The past 24 hours were kind to Salem! No more Salem residents were diagnosed with COVID-19, leaving the total up to 211. There is one less active cases. 71 people out of every 10,000 Salem residents have been diagnosed with this virus. More than half of those here in Salem that have been infected are still waiting to recover.

DHHS announced that there were 41 new positive test results for COVID-19, including one child under the age of 18, for a total of 3,596 cases. (From the number of cases announced yesterday and today, I come up with 40 new cases.). 9 of the new cases were in Rockingham County. DHHS says that community-based transmission continues to occur in the State.

There were 12 new hospitalized cases in NH today, bringing the total of those hospitalized to 359 (10% of all confirmed cases); approximately one-third of all NH hospitalizations (114) are still in the hospital.

The last time we saw a significant increase in the number of people who have recovered was May 8, when we had 1,210 recovered cases. Yesterday, we were at 1,258; an increase of only 48 cases in over a week.

Today NH DHHS announced that one more person has died from COVID-19, a female over 60 years of age, bringing NH’s total fatalities to 172 people. Of those NH residents who have been diagnosed with COVID-19, the state reports that 5% have died; I come up with 4.7%. The last day that NH didn’t lose a victim to this disease was May 4.

Yesterday I felt really blue. Today, I’m doing better. Sunday is my favorite day of the week. Since this virus hit, my family has started to meet once a week via Zoom. I get to see my daughter and granddaughter, sisters, nieces, and my 2-year-old grandniece.

Do you Zoom? We all need to stay connected with loved ones and friends, and this is a good way to connect. If you need help with Zoom, I’ve become a bit of a “Zoom Queen,” and would be happy to give you some pointers.

I hope you had a good weekend. As more people head back to work, I wish them good luck. Stay safe, and always, be kind.

Key points covered below in today’s report:

COVID-19 Virtual Town Hall: Monday, May 18
League of NH Craftsmen moves annual fair online
Tupelo Music Hall reopens
More Upcoming Events

ALSO:
I updated the chart comparing confirmed cases per capita in the NH Hotspots, including Salem, our county and nearby counties in NH and MA, and NH vs. MA.

Click on the calendar to enlarge
https://www.bonnie4salem.us/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/may17-calendar.jpg

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

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

On April 19, this was posted on Facebook:

NHPR has charts. Lots of charts!
If you want more than what I’m providing, they can be found at NHPR’s website.

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:

I have had a table here for weeks, which compared the day to day changes.
If you actually miss it, please let me know, and I’ll bring it back.
Bonnie on May 12.

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
May 9: 191; 101 active
May 10: 191; 100 active
May 11: 193; 102 active
May 12: 195; 103 active
May 13: 197; 104 active
May 14: 201; 108 active
May 15: 206; 112 active
May 16: 211; 117 active
May 17: 211; 116 active

NH Hot Spots (As of Saturday, May 16. The increase is from last Saturday, May 9.)
NH has 13 NH municipalities that have more than 50 confirmed cases.

Manchester: 819 (+149); 73 per 10K residents; 528 current
Nashua: 323 (+40); 36 per 10K residents; 188 current
Derry: 267; (+26); 80 cases per 10K residents; 184 current
Salem: 211 (+20); 71 cases per 10K residents; 117 current

Bedford: 130 (+33); 57 cases per 10K; 94 current
Concord: 78 (+15); 18 cases per 10K; 48 current
Dover: 89 (+8); 28 cases per 10K; 51 current
Franklin: 58 (+1); 67 cases per 10K; 50 current
Goffstown: 67 (+44); 37 cases per 10K; 48 current
Hudson: 70 (+8); 27 cases per 10K; 46 current
Londonderry: 104 (+14); 40 cases per 10K; 66 current
Milford: 76 (+5); 47 cases per 10K; 62 current
Portsmouth: 57 (+9); 26 cases per 10K; 34 current

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 (As of Sat., May 16. Increases from last Saturday, May 9.)

Hillsborough (inc. Manchester and Nashua): 1,723 (+330); 41 per 10K residents
Rockingham (inc. Salem & Derry): 1,095 (+131); 35 per 10K

About 79% of all of those in NH who have tested positive to COVID-19 live in these two counties.

Our neighboring towns:

Methuen on May 16: 777 (+92); 153 confirmed cases per 10K residents. 376 recovered (+101). 37 deaths (+5)
Lawrence on May 15: 2,264 (+207). 307 cases per 10K residents. 99 deaths (+4)
Haverhill on May 13: 950 cases up 117 from May 6. 148 cases per 10K; was 130 a week ago.

If more people were tested, the numbers would be higher.
Without better testing and reporting, 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

COVID-19 Virtual Town Hall: Monday, May 18

Join State Senate Majority Leader and candidate for Governor of NH, Dan Feltes, and Former State Representative and candidate for Executive Council District 3, scientist Mindi Messmer, for a COVID-19 update with special guests from Keene State College: Economics Professor Marie Duggan, and Environmental Studies Professor Nora Traviss. Join Live.

League of NH Craftsmen moves annual fair online

The League of N.H. Craftsmen, an NH nonprofit organization, will hold its 87th annual Craftsmen’s Fair in an online format this year from Aug. 1 to 9. The virtual fair will include online videos, interviews, classes, and demonstrations. Read more.

Tupelo Music Hall reopens

Tupelo Music Hall is back, with drive-in concerts. Read more.

More Upcoming Events

Weekends are always quiet for COVID-19 news. The Governor is expected to talk tomorrow, most likely at 3:00 on WMUR. Salem’s Emergency Operations Center is scheduled to give a report at 7:00. I have 4 meetings starting at 6:00, so my report is likely going to be late tomorrow.

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:

Comcast TV Channel 23

http://sctv-17.com/CablecastPublicSite/?channel=1

https://livestream.com/salemnh

https://www.facebook.com/sctv17

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:

Stay home, wash hands, wear cloth masks in public, check on neighbors

Donate food: NH Food Bank: https://www.nhfoodbank.org or call 669-9725

United Way: http://uwnh.org

Donate blood: https://www.redcross.org or call 1-800-RED-Cross

COVID-19 Response in New Hampshire: https://volunteernh.org/covid-19-response/

Watch out for the kids. Child abuse reports are down, because they aren’t out where they can be observed. If you suspect child abuse call Salem Police Department (603) 893-1911 or the NH child abuse hotline at DCYF (800) 894-5533. You could also go to https://knowandtell.org. In an immediate emergency, dial 911. DHHS has offered a sheet, “Supporting Child and Family Wellbeing during the COVID-19 Emergency:” https://www.dhhs.nh.gov/dcyf/documents/family-wellbeing-during-covid-19.pdf

Masks:

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

How to make and how to wear: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/diy-cloth-face-coverings.html

Directions for a no-sew mask (perhaps using the coffee filter, as suggested by the CDC?) http://blog.japanesecreations.com/no-sew-face-mask-with-handkerchief-and-hair-tie

I found another option for a new pattern for a no-sew mask, using a t-shirt, and this one with several options.

Mask materials: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/best-coronavirus-face-mask-materials-new-study_l_5e99b576c5b6a92100e63129

A tip on how to make any mask (except N95) more efficient. https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2020/04/22/840146830/adding-a-nylon-stocking-layer-could-boost-protection-from-cloth-masks-study-find

I found another good mask video, although I believe that coffee filters are not being recommended any more; they make breathing too hard. It is now in the resource section at the bottom of every report.https://nbclim-f.akamaihd.net/i/Prod/NBCU_LM_VMS/635/99/DIT_20OTS_20NAT_20FEAT_20GIAT_20DIY_20FACE_20MASKS_20040520_20JD_20REV_202_20with_20L3__,935446,886827,037719,116849,460519,061449,.mp4.csmil/master.m3u8

Salem:

Free meals for Salem kids under 18: https://sau57.org/covid19/meals

Town of Salem COVID-29 Info: https://www.townofsalemnh.org/home/covid-19-information

COVID-19 Salem Community Hotline & Email: https://www.townofsalemnh.org/home/news/covid-19-community-hotline-and-email

Salem Police: Dial 911 for emergencies or (603) 893-1911 for non-emergency issues.

New Hampshire:

New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services:

https://www.nh.gov/covid19/index.htm

https://www.nh.gov/covid19/faqs/documents/covid-19-faq.pdf

https://www.nh.gov/covid19/resources-guidance/index.htm

https://www.nh.gov/covid19/resources-guidance/other-guidance.htm

https://www.nh.gov/covid19/documents/terms.pdf

https://www.nh.gov/covid19/resources-guidance/residents.htm

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

List of NH “essential” services: https://www.governor.nh.gov/news-media/emergency-orders/documents/emergency-order-17-ex-a.pdf

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:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/if-you-are-sick/care-for-someone.html

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/sick-with-2019-nCoV-fact-sheet.pdf

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/2019-ncov-factsheet.pdf

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/prevention.html

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)

COVI-19 Tracker: https://bing.com/covid/local/newhampshire_unitedstates

Live statistics: https://ncov2019.live/data

US Coronavirus Tracking https://infection2020.com

The COVID Tracking Project https://covidtracking.com/data/state/new-hampshire#historical

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

Media with NH COVID-19 news:

WMUR: https://www.wmur.com

NHPR: https://www.nhpr.org

Housing

NH landlords cannot start eviction proceedings for any tenant unable to pay due to the impact of the coronavirus. Foreclosures are also frozen. https://www.governor.nh.gov/news-media/emergency-orders/documents/emergency-order-4.pdf

Housing and Urban Development: https://www.hud.gov/states/new_hampshire

NH Housing: https://www.nhhfa.org