COVID-19 Update May 18 – Bonnie4Salem

COVID-19 Update May 18

Salem: 212 confirmed cases, 117 active cases.

One more Salem resident was diagnosed with COVID-19, bringing the total up to 212. 72 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 57 new positive test results for COVID-19, including one child under the age of 18, for a total of 3,652 cases. (From the number of cases announced yesterday and today, I come up with 56 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 another 9 new hospitalized cases in NH today, bringing the total of those hospitalized to 368 (10% of all confirmed cases); approximately one-third of all NH hospitalizations (109) are still in the hospital.

There were no new deaths in NH reported in the period covered by this report. Since April 28, when there was a total of 60 deaths, this was the third day we did not lose anyone to this virus. The total count now is 172.

It was a busy day, so I have nothing more to add. Stay safe, and always, be kind.

Key points covered below in today’s report:

Main Street Relief Fund to help small businesses.
Executive Council wants transparency and accountability
The Boys & Girls Club of Greater Salem
Massachusetts Reopening Plans
COVID-19 Virtual Town Hall: Monday, May 18
13^th Report of Salem’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC)
Governor’s Press Conference

Click on the calendar to enlarge
https://www.bonnie4salem.us/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/may18-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
May 18: 212; 117 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

Main Street Relief Fund to help small businesses.

This was part of the Governor’s Press Conference today, but it’s important enough that I pulled it apart from the rest of the conference. The Main Street Relief Fund Pre-grant application process from now through May 29. There were several hundred applications in by the time he finished his press conference on Friday. Now more than 3,000 applications have already been filed.

Executive Council wants transparency and accountability
Two weeks ago the Executive Council asked the Governor for transparency and accountability regarding the details about the intent of the spending of the Cares Act and state money. Today, in his press conference the governor reported that today he provided the Executive Council with 250+ pages of info in preparation for their meeting on Wednesday morning. Listen as the Exec Council meets with the Governor on Wednesday, May 20th at 10 am by dialing 1-800-356-8278; pin: 125563#. Executive Councilor and Gubernatorial candidate, Andru Volinsky, invites the public to share their thoughts after the call at info@volinskynh.com.

The Boys & Girls Club of Greater Salem

The Boys & Girls Club is open for childcare for essential workers as part of the NH Emergency Childcare Program If your family is in need of childcare at this point in time, please contact them as soon as possible. ADVANCE REGISTRATION is REQUIRED. Registrations are being accepted on a first-come, first-served basis M-F between the hours of 7:00AM-2:00PM. Virtual registration is strongly encouraged. Paperwork can be scanned and emailed to them at info@salembgc.org – registrations will not be finalized until all paperwork is received and the accompanying payment is made. As always, financial assistance is available. Visit https://www.salembgc.org/registration to download the necessary paperwork and view additional information. For more info, call the Club’s Front Desk at 603-898-7709 x10 during the hours listed above.

Massachusetts Reopening Plans

In his press conference this morning, Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker detailed the latest information regarding the reopening of businesses and activities in Massachusetts. The reopening will be carried out in phases four phases: “start, cautious, vigilant” and “new normal.” Each phase will last a minimum of three weeks depending on reports of the public health data. Read more.

COVID-19 Virtual Town Hall: Monday, May 18

Tonight 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, along with Economics Professor Marie Duggan, and Environmental Studies Professor Nora Traviss from Keene State College held a COVID-19 town hall this evening. Watch here.

13^th Report of Salem’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC)

EOC Director, Chief Larry Best: Yard sales and craft fairs are now permitted, following universal guidelines in Stay-at-Home 2.0. Outdoor seating is now allowed at restaurants. Firefighters Memorial in June has canceled. This is national EMS Week. Thank you to our EMS personnel. Next report: June 1
Superintendent Dr. Delahanty: All end of school events will be done virtually. Drive up-graduation on Friday, June 5 at 5:00 p.m. with a caravan. It will be followed by a traditional graduation ceremony later this summer, if permitted. Hoping school will reopen in the fall. Will know more at the end of June.
Deputy Police Chief Dolan: Increase in robberies.
Health Officer Brian Lockhard: Restaurants opened. Pre-opening inspections. Explanation of tests.

Governor’s Press Conference

In his press conference today, (Monday, May 18), the governor said, and I quote: “Yesterday the state reported out nearly 2,400 testes for a total of 41 positive cases, bringing our percent of positive cases to below 2%.

My concern is that they are not reporting the data consistently. When I compare the number of persons they reported having COVID 19 on May 17 compared to May 16 is an increase of 40 cases. The number of persons who tested negative on May 17 compared to May 16 is an increase of 86. Total tests: 126, or 32.5%. There are other days when this is a very high number. The average over the last seven days is 2.67%.

Dr. Chan

“We have tested more than 49,000 people” have had PRC diagnostic tests to find the infectious virus in the respiratory tract. [Unique people? Or tests?]
12,800 “people” were tested from Sun to Sat, averaging 1800 PCR tests per day [Taking the total positives in a day and the total negative PCR tests in a day, we should have the total tests done that day. I get 9,958 tests from Sunday to Saturday, which would be 1,423 per day.]
Antibodies take a couple of weeks to develop. Antibody testing is not used to diagnose acute or active infections. It does show the population levels of exposure, but not if a person is currently sick.
4,500 antibody tests, as of Saturday, average 600 per day. [We only have numbers for Friday and Saturday, the other days the antibody test results were combined with the PCR test results.]
Antibody tests are showing 3-4% with past infection meaning a large number are not exposed
We are a risk for worsening outbreak or a second wave
Functions and guidance have been put into effect to slow and control the spread
Continue to stay home, maintain social distancing, wear cloth face coverings.

Gov. Sununu

Childcare Centers are open, with updated
Outdoor attractions. Guidance was issued today to allow outdoor activities situated in recreational or natural settings that occur individually or in small groups of 10 people or less. Effective today.
Equestrian Facilities can reopen.
More info will come later this week, including personal care.

Questions:

Dr. Chan’s Q&A’s:

What’s different with the childcare guidance? The updated guidance is more extensive. “I would encourage people to go online and look at the childcare guidance.”
Contact tracing and monitoring: Tripled workforce. 90-100 people in the Public Health COVID-19 Operations Center. National Guard is helping.
Rate of infection in healthcare workers? He didn’t have it. The state’s website says as of May 11: 816 healthcare workers were infected (25.8% of all cases). 30 hospitalizations. (9.4%). 2 deaths (1.5%)
Infections in children? See the weekly update. No push to test kids who are asymptomatic.
Goal: Mitigation (the action of reducing the severity) or suppression strategy? Both. Break the chain and suppress the outbreak.
Turn around from PCR test results received by DHHS until it is reported publicly. Delay is 15-20 hours, by 9:00 a.m. reported that evening.
Death age: The vast majority are over 60. It’s in the weekly report. They are working on a dashboard.

Gov. Sununu’s Q&A’s:

Worship? Concerned about supercluster events. Working on guidance for traditional worship services, as well as funerals, weddings.
Does MA plans mesh with NH? Some are in parallel with ours. Different venues. Professional sports. Level of contagion is different.
Choose between healthy and losing their job? Guidance will allow people to work in a safe manner, but business can’t shut down because people don’t want to work. Jobs cannot be protected if people don’t want to return to work.
Outside Tourism Attractions (Lost River, The Flume, Ruggles Mines; Canobie Lake Park, Polar Caves, etc.) Challenging. Not safe to open yet.
We need to plan for a second surge. It would be naive of us to think it could not happen.
Beaches? June 1 is a goal, but not a promise.
Any policy that requires a patient at any medical facility to be tested without their permission or against their will? Not that he has heard.
$600 per week extra unemployment? Disincentive to get people to go back to work. Runs out July 31.
What would you like in the next federal stimulus bill? The “message bill” just passed outlines what the US House wants to see. Infrastructure, construction, job creators. Replace funds for cities. Pension bailouts. Prioritize.

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