COVID-19 GENERAL UPDATES - April 30, 2020

Posted on: April 30, 2020 - 4:56pm

At the state level, COVID-19 numbers are improving every day but are not significantly better. There is concern about NH’s proximity to MA due to their very high numbers. However, the NH healthcare system is holding up well and there is presently adequate capacity for the caseload.

New COVID-19 testing locations are up and running across the state. Anyone who has symptoms should contact their healthcare provider to request a test. The healthcare provider will submit an order to the NH Department of Health and Human Services (NHDHHS), and residents will receive a call by the Covid19 Coordinating Office to schedule a test at a time and location most convenient to them. Residents who do not have a healthcare provider and/or are uninsured should call 2-1-1 for assistance in scheduling a test.  Also, arrangements will be made for those residents with barriers to accessing a fixed or mobile testing site.

The Office of the Governor recently acknowledged that there is some confusion about the expiration date of the State of Emergency (SOE) declaration and the associated Executive Orders. The SOE has to be updated every 21 days, and the Governor indicated that he will keep doing so indefinitely. In contrast, the “Stay At Home” order expires on May 4 (Monday). The Governor has given indications he intends to extend that order, but with some “flexibility.” A press conference on this topic has been scheduled for May 1 (Friday) at 3:00 PM.

On April 30, Governor Sununu, Veterans Affairs (VA) Deputy Secretary Pam Powers, and members of New Hampshire’s congressional delegation greeted a plane and helped unload over 110,000 pounds of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) from a FedEx cargo plane on the tarmac of Manchester-Boston Regional Airport — the largest shipment destined for New Hampshire to date. The State of New Hampshire purchased the entire shipment of PPE and will be distributing supplies to the areas of greatest need across the state as part of its ongoing effort to respond to the COVID-19 global pandemic. The State of New Hampshire secured this new shipment of PPE with the help of inventor Dean Kamen and others. Roughly 4.5 million masks on the plane will be sent to the VA for their distribution. The VA will reimburse the State of New Hampshire for the 4.5 million masks.

The Governor’s Office has indicated that there is likely going to be continued flexibility with regard to RSA 91-A (see Emergency Order #12: https://www.enfield.nh.us/covid-19-your-town-government/pages/office-governor) when it comes to enabling public bodies to conduct meetings remotely while the situation with COVID-19 continues to play out.

The Commissioner of the NH Department of Education is looking into guidance to potentially allow school districts to hold graduations.

The Secretary of State’s Office is examining the need for municipalities to offer additional polling places and/or the possibility of “drive-up” voting during both the September primary and November general election.

Finally, the Office of the Governor has indicated it will soon be finalizing and issuing updated guidance on pools, parks, playgrounds, and beaches. Along these same lines, we are told they are also looking into a guidance document on summer camps.