Coronavirus Blog: Earlier Updates (October 1 - October 31)

This post gathers NHPR's past updates on coronavirus in New Hampshire in October, 2020.

NOTE: Some of the stories below may contained outdated guidance and stories that have since evolved. Please click the links below for the most up-to-date coverage and guidance. 

• Click here for our up-to-date live blog.
• Click here for all earlier updates
• Click here for all of our coronavirus coverage, including the latest guidance, FAQs, and a survey to submit your questions about coronavirus.
• Click here to get email updates about coronavirus, and other top N.H. stories.

Earlier updates:

Update: Saturday, Oct. 31, 5:09 p.m.

New COVID-19 infections in the state surged Saturday to 205, the most reported in a single day in New Hampshire since the pandemic began.

State health officials also announced one additional death, a woman from Hillsborough County, bringing the total deaths in the state to 483.

Thirty-one of the new infections are residents under the age of 18. There are 1,338 active coronavirus cases statewide, and 42 residents currently in the hospital for treatment. Two new hospitalizations were announced Saturday.

Gov. Chris Sununu issued a statement encouraging residents to take precautions.

“The situation here in New Hampshire remains very serious, the data shows that community transmission is increasing, and we expect cases to rise,” he said in a statement. “We must all remain vigilant in our daily lives. As we enter these winter months, it will be more important than ever to wear your mask, practice social distancing, and maintain proper hand hygiene.”

- NHPR Staff

State of Emergency Order Extended Again

Gov. Chris Sununu has issued another executive order that extends the state of emergency in response to COVID-19 for another 21 days.

This was expected. It is a continuation of the executive order first issued March 13, 2020, an emergency declaration that came the same day as the president issued a federal emergency declaration.

Read thelatest order here.

Update: Friday, Oct. 30, 5:00 p.m.

State health officials reported 126 new coronavirus infections Friday. Of the new cases, 21 patients are under 18 years old. The new infections span all ten New Hampshire counties.

There are currently 30 residents hospitalized with the virus. Active cases number 1,216.

So far, 482 people have died from COVID-19 in New Hampshire.

- NHPR Staff

Explore the Data: Tracking COVID-19 in New Hampshire.

Update: Friday, Oct. 30, 3:59 p.m.

The state says there are additional potential exposures connected to a positive COVID-19 case at the Atkinson Country Club.

The Department of Health and Human Services says it has determined the potential exposure occurred in the Merrill's Tavern and Stagecoach Grille areas on Oct. 24 from 11 a.m. to 11:30 p.m., on Oct. 25 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Oct. 26 from 4 p.m. to 9:45 p.m.

Those exposure dates are in addition to the possible exposure announced previously, which was in the bar and tavern area of Merrill's Tavern, on Oct. 21-22.

The state has conducted contact tracing, but it makes this announcement to reach anyone who may have been in those areas on those dates. DHHS says those individuals should monitor for possible symptoms, which include fever, chills, cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, vomiting, diarrhea, and loss of taste or smell.

Here's the state's COVID-19 testing resourcesand locations.

And you can read more about the state's contact tracing plan here.

- NHPR Staff

Update: Thursday, Oct. 29, 3:09 p.m.

Four more New Hampshire residents have died from COVID-19.

Dr. Benjamin Chan, state epidemiologist, said all four people were associated with long-term care facilities. The new deaths bring the state's coronavirus fatality total to 482. The four deaths are all women, 60 or older, from Hillsborough County, according to the Department of Health and Human Services.

Chan announced 131 new positive test results, and the state has averaged 110 new cases each day over the past week. There are 1,106 active cases statewide.

No new hospitalizations were reported Thursday; 30 residents are currently in the hospital due to the virus.

State to Require Restaurants to Collect Customer Names, Numbers

Gov. Chris Sununu says that, at the request of the N.H. Lodging & Restaurant Association, the state will require restaurants to collect information from customers - a name, phone number, and time of arrival - to assist the state’s contact tracing team in alerting those who may have been exposed to COVID-19, in possible cases of community exposure.

This will take effect on Saturday, Oct. 31.

Sununu said it will help the state pre-identify people who have possibly been in contact with people who later test positive for the virus.

“The process has worked very well in other states across the country,” he said at a news conference Thursday in Concord.

- NHPR Staff

Update: Wednesday, Oct. 28, 4:30 p.m.

State health officials reported three more COVID-related deaths Wednesday. The patients were all residents over 60 years old. Two resided in Merrimack County, and one in Hillsborough County. So far, 478 people have died from the virus in New Hampshire.

According to the Department of Health and Human Services, 113 new coronavirus cases have been identified, bringing the state's total cases since the start of the pandemic to 10,641. Ten of the newly-identifed patients are under 18 years old.

There are currently 29 residents hospitalized with the virus.

- NHPR Staff

Approximately 250 COVID-19 cases have been detected in K through 12 schools so far this year. About 50 of those are still active. There have also been a handful of clusters within schools, but state health officials say the level of transmission within school buildings has been low, in part due to schools' social distancing and mask rules.

At UNH, the current number of active cases is 28. Since it began keeping tabs in July, UNH has recorded around 280 positive cases among staff, faculty and students.

"Even with the high number of students and staff that are being diagnosed, we have not seen a lot of in-school transmission," said state epidemiologist Dr. Benjamin Chan on NHPR's The Exchange Wednesday.

"And I think that speaks to the two things: One is that the layers of protection that schools are implementing is working. And the second is that, you know, school can be conducted safely in person, whether that's full or in person or in hybrid."

- Sarah Gibson

Update: Tuesday, Oct. 27, 5:27 p.m.

The state has issued a public health advisory for possible COVID-19 exposure connected to a positive case at a restaurant in Atkinson. The Department of Health and Human Services says this involves a case at Merrill's Tavern at the Atkinson Resort and Country Club.

The possible exposure occurred in the bar and tavern area on Oct. 21, from noon to 7:30 p.m., and on Oct. 22, from noon to 11:30 p.m. DHHS says it has conducted contact tracing, and is notified close contacts directly. 

- NHPR Staff

Update: Tuesday, Oct. 27, 4:11 p.m.

State health officials announced 140 new COVID-19 infections Tuesday, and 1,067 active cases statewide.

There were three new hospitalizations, and 31 people are currently in the hospital for treatment of the virus.

To date, New Hampshire has had 10,531 confirmed coronavirus cases, and 475 deaths. The state did not report any new deaths Tuesday.

- NHPR Staff

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Update: Tuesday, Oct. 27, 3:01 p.m

A popular restaurant in Raymond has shut down for 10 days, saying seven of its more than 120 employees have tested positive for COVID-19. The Tuckaway Tavern & Butchery posted online that it closed Sunday.

The staffers include a server, a chef, two prep cooks and two members of management. Restaurant officials said all affected employees were wearing masks while working, and are feeling OK.

The building will be sanitized and all employees will be tested before reopening, the restaurant said. Restaurant officials said there was the potential for exposure to the coronavirus between Oct. 19-24 and encouraged anyone in the building at that time to be tested.

- AP

Updated: Tuesday, Oct. 27, 9:10 a.m.

Those in the restaurant industry are preparing for a tough winter season, as dining begins to move back inside.

In Portsmouth, at least six restaurants have reported positive cases of COVID-19 in recent weeks.  City officials recently extended their support for outdoor dining through the end of November, in an attempt to reduce community spread within restaurants.

But Valerie Rochon, president of the Greater Portsmouth Chamber of Commerce, said, come December, not all businesses may be able to safely serve customers indoors. Protective equipment can set them back thousands of dollars.

"They don't have a lot of funds to buy a lot of plexiglass,” Rochon said. “So if they are on the fence, they might not choose to open up indoors. They might choose to do takeout instead."

Rochon said the city is working to find solutions for those businesses, like financial assistance or more 15-minute parking spots for those offering takeout.

- Jordyn Haime

Update: Monday, Oct. 26, 5:50 p.m.

The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services reported two more COVID-19 deaths Monday, bringing the state's total deaths to 475. The patients were both male residents of Hillsborough County.

There are 1,002 current coronavirus cases in the state as of Monday, with 77 new infections reported in multiple counties. Eight of the new cases are patients under 18 years old.

Twenty-five New Hampshire residents are currently hospitalized with the virus.

- NHPR Staff

Update: Sunday, Oct. 25, 5:05 p.m.

State health officials announced 92 new coronavirus cases in New Hampshire on Sunday. No new deaths were announced. Total cases now number 10,328. New Hampshire's death toll stands at 473.

Of the new cases, twelve patients are under 18 years old, according the Department of Health and Human Services.. 

There are currently 23 residents hospitalized with the virus. 

- NHPR Staff

Update: Sunday, Oct. 25, 3:55 p.m.  

New Hampshire health officials are advising people who went to several establishments across the state to get tested for the coronavirus due to possible exposure. The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services says a person who tested positive for COVID-19 was at the Concord Casino.

Officials say people who were in the gaming table area during the evening of Oct. 14 may have been exposed. Another person who went to Paddy’s American Grill in Portsmouth earlier this month has tested positive for the virus.

Health officials are also advising people to get tested if they were at La Vista Italian Cuisine in Lincoln on Oct. 17, 18, 20 and 22.

- Associated Press

Update: Saturday, Oct. 24, 4:21 p.m.

Two additional residents have died from COVID-19, state health officials announced Saturday.

The state also reported 129 new infections, bringing the total confirmed cases since March to 10,238. There have been 473 deaths due to COVID.

It is the largest single day case count since mid-May.

Of the new cases, 19 are under the age of 18. There are 946 active cases statewide. No new hospitalizations were reported; 19 residents are currently in the hospital.

Manchester was home to 30 of the new cases. Other locations, broken down by the state, were: Rockingham County, 28; Hillsborough County, 24; Strafford County, 12; Merrimack County, 11; Belknap County, eight; Grafton County, three; Carroll County, two; and Cheshire and Sullivan counties, one each. The state is investigating the residence for four cases.

- NHPR Staff

Saturday, Oct. 24, 3:01 p.m.

The state's new guidance for hockey and indoor ice arenas requires coronavirus testing while ice rinks are closed and prior to Nov. 6. The mandatory testing is for all rink staff, volunteers, coaches and staff, referees, and athletes, according to the new hockey and indoor ice arena guidance announced by Gov. Chris Sununu.

Hockey rinks were closed by the state and play suspended for a "pause" a week ago after a wave of COVID-19 infections. State health officials reported at least 158 youth and adult players had tested positive for the virus. 

Hockey athletics are permitted to resume Oct. 30, as long as the new COVID protocols are in place. The new rules include having staff, volunteers and athletes wear cloth face coverings at all times indoors, when athletes are not playing. Parents and spectators must also wear a mask or face covering.

Arenas are also required to designate a person to monitor social distancing and compliance.

- NHPR Staff

Update: Friday, Oct. 23, 6:21 p.m.

State health officials announced 1 additional death due to COVID-19 on Friday, and 120 new infections. Confirmed cases since March topped 10,000.

There are 896 current cases statewide.

There have been 417 deaths due to the virus since the pandemic began. 

Fifteen residents are currently in the hospital for treatment. The state says it's monitoring 4,235 people in New Hampshire.

- NHPR Staff

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Update: Friday, Oct. 23, 4:31 p.m.

The state on Friday announced potential exposure linked to multiple restaurants in three different communities.

The Department of Health and Human Services says the restaurants are Daniel Street Tavern and The Goat Bar and Grill in Portsmouth, The Draft Sports Bar & Grill and The Barley House in Concord, and Bantam Grill in Peterborough.

Information from DHHS:

• At least four people who have tested positive visited Daniel Street Tavern while potentially infectious. The state says it determined potential community exposure occurred in the bar area on the nights of Oct. 9, Oct. 14, and Oct. 15.
• At least one person who tested positive visited The Goat, located on Congress Street in Portsmouth, while potentially infectious. The state says potential exposure occurred at the bar on Oct. 15, between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m.
• At least five people who tested positive visited The Draft Sports Bar in Concord while potentially infectious. The state says potential exposure occurred on Oct. 9, Oct. 11, and Oct. 14-18. DHHS says this is an active investigation, and recommends anyone who visited The Draft since Oct. 9 should watch for symptoms and seek testing should they develop.
• At least two people who tested positive visited The Barley House in Concord while potentially infectious. The state says potential community exposure occurred in the bar area on Oct. 12-14, and Oct. 16. Anyone who visited since Oct. 12 should watch for symptoms and seek testing if they develop.
• At least one person who tested positive visited Bantam Grill in Peterborough while potentially infectious. The state says possible exposure occurred in the bar area during the afternoon and evening of Oct. 13.

The state has conducted contact tracing on all cases, and is notifying close contacts. The public notice seeks to inform anyone who may have been in those establishments on the respective dates and times. For more on testing, visit DHHS' website. Here's a primer on quarantine guidelines.

- NHPR Staff

Update: Friday, Oct. 23, 3:02 p.m.

The University of New Hampshire is extending its winter break for a week but eliminating spring break in an effort to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Like many schools, UNH is sending students home for Thanksgiving and then conducting classes and final exams remotely in December.

UNH President James Dean says classes will resume on campus Feb. 1, a week later than originally scheduled. Some campus buildings also will be closed in December and January to save money on heating, but arrangements will be made for those who need to work on campus.

- Associated Press

Update: Thursday, Oct. 22, 3:10 p.m.  

State health officials reported that one more resident has died from COVID-19 on Thursday, bringing New Hampshire's death toll to 470.

The state said a male from Hillsborough County, who was 60 or older, was the latest fatality.

Active cases in New Hampshire currently number 832. The state also reported 82 additional COVID infections, bringing the total confirmed cases since March to just under 10,000.

Twelve of the new cases were individuals under the age of 18.  Rockingham and Hillsborough counties were home to half of the new infections, with 28 and 14 cases, respectively.

There were two new hospitalizations, and 18 residents are currently in the hospital for treatment.

- NHPR Staff

More CARES Act Funds for Veterans

Gov. Chris Sununu on Thursday announced an additional $2 million in CARES Act funding to support veterans services. The state previously distributed $7 million of the federal money to community supports for veterans.

The governor also says 2,000 businesses have so far applied for CARES Act funds in a second round of the state's Main Street relief program. The deadline for businesses to apply for the latest round is Oct. 30

Sununu shared the below graphic to encourage Granite Staters to be aware of possible scams. He says N.H. Employment Security programs remain secure.

Update: Wednesday, Oct. 21, 6:16 p.m.

Health officials announced one additional death from COVID-19 on Wednesday. He was identified only as a resident of Hillsborough County, who was 60 or older.

The state reported 92 new coronavirus infections, and 798 active cases across New Hampshire.

There were no new hospitalizations; 14 residents are currently in the hospital due to the virus.

Since the pandemic began, there have been 9,917 total cases confirmed in New Hampshire.

- NHPR Staff

Update: Tuesday, Oct. 20, 6:40 p.m.

State health officials announced 85 new COVID-19 infections and two new hospitalizations on Tuesday.

There were 824 current coronavirus cases across New Hampshire. The daily positivity rate for the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) tests was .9%, according to the Department of Health and Human Services.

No new deaths were reported. Since the pandemic began, there have been 468 deaths and 9,828 confirmed positive test results.

There were 16 residents in the hospital Tuesday for treatment of the virus.

- NHPR Staff

Update: Monday, Oct. 19, 5:00 p.m.

State health officials reported one new coronavirus death Monday. The patient was a female resident of Rockingham County.

The state also reported 57 new positive test results for the coronavirus, bringing total active cases in the state to 1,020. So far, 468 New Hampshire residents have died from the virus.

- NHPR Staff

Update: Sunday, Oct. 18, 5:20 p.m.

The state Department of Health and Human Services reported 70 new cases of COVID-19 in New Hampshire Sunday, a number that included 12 patients under the age of 18.

With Sunday's new totals, there are now more active cases of COVID-19 in New Hampshire (971) than at any time since mid-June. Hospitalizations and deaths have also been rising in recent days, though both remain far below the levels seen in in late spring and early summer, when the pandemic was at its peak in New Hampshire.
 
The state reported one new COVID-19 death Sunday, bringing the state's total deaths to 467. The patient who died was a male resident of Merrimack County.

- NHPR staff

Update: Saturday, Oct. 17, 4:31 p.m.

State health officials announced 112 new COVID-19 cases and one additonal death on Saturday. It's one of the biggest daily infection numbers the state has recorded since May - and each of New Hampshire's counties had at least one case to report.

The number of current cases statewide has doubled over the past two weeks, from about 450 to now more than 900.

The Department of Health and Human Services announced a woman from Hillsborough County, identified only as being 60 or older, died from the virus. There have been 466 deaths in the state since the coronavirus pandemic began.

There were no new hospitalizations; currently there are 18 residents in the hospital due to COVID-19. 

Of the new cases, 21 are under 18 years old. Counties reporting the most cases: Rockingham, 24; Merrimack; 22; Hillsborough, 12. Manchester had 21, and Nashua 12.

- NHPR Staff

 Update: Saturday, Oct. 17, 3:01 p.m.

Enrollment declines at many New England colleges during the pandemic are putting further pressure on financially struggling institutions.

The New England Commission of Higher Education says the number of full-time graduate and undergraduate students plummeted by more than 20% this September compared with the previous year at more than two dozen colleges and universities across the region.

Meanwhile, hockey families will be off the ice for a while in New Hampshire and Vermont after the governors shut down skating rinks because of several outbreaks.

Vermont Gov. Phil Scott says players will be asked to wear masks when play resumes.

- Associated Press

Update: Friday, Oct. 16, 5:10 p.m.

Two additional residents have died from the coronavirus, state health officials announced Friday. 

There have been 465 COVID-19 deaths since the pandemic began. The state said a man and a woman from Hillsborough County, both 60 or older, died from the virus.

There were 90 new cases reported, and 894 current cases diagnosed across New Hampshire.

The state has no new hospitalizations to report; 16 residents are currently in the hospital for treatment. Since March, the state has recorded 9,514 coronavirus cases.

- NHPR Staff

Update: Friday, Oct. 16, 1:33 p.m.

State health officials announced Friday they have identified a COVID-19 outbreak that may have exposed customers of a Hudson restaurant.

The potential exposures at Fat Katz Food and Drink on the Derry Road occurred between Oct. 2 and Oct. 9, according to the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services.

At least 17 cases are associated with the outbreak. The state, in its announcement, reported the outbreak includes “one individual who went to the establishment while aware of their COVID-19 diagnosis when they were supposed to be on isolation, and a second person who went to the establishment when they were knowingly supposed to be on quarantine, both of whom potentially exposed others.”

The New Hampshire Attorney General’s office is investigating multiple violations of the state’s food service guidance.

The state has conducted a contact investigation and notified close contacts directly. DHHS says anyone who visited the restaurant between the above dates should seek testing.

- NHPR Staff

Update: Thursday, Oct. 15, 3:20 p.m.

State health officials reported five COVID-19 deaths in New Hampshire Thursday. According to state epidemiologist Dr. Ben Chan, four of the deaths were connected to outbreaks at long-term care facilities.

So far, 463 New Hampshire residents have died from the coronavirus.

The state also announced 82 new infections, part of a trend of increasing infections in the region in recent weeks.

A new long-term care facility outbreak was reported at St. Teresa Rehabilitation Center in Manchester, where seven patients and two staff members have tested positive for the coronavirus. The state is currently monitoring four active outbreaks at residential facilities across the state.

Hockey is a hot spot for transmission

Governor Sununu announced a state-wide suspension of all ice hockey on indoor rinks for two weeks because of a series of COVID-related incidents connected to the sport. This includes league, high school, and college play. 

According to Dr. Chan, 158 coronavirus infections in the past two months can be traced to ice hockey events. The infections include players, referees, and parents, as well as cases of community transmission traced back to hockey events.

- NHPR Staff

Update: Thursday, Oct. 15, 8:10 a.m.

New Hampshire's unemployment rate for September was 6%, a slight decrease from August. The number still reflects the impact on unemployment because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The September 2019 seasonally adjusted rate was 2.6%. The number of unemployed residents decreased by 4,410 over the month, to 44,510. This was 24,580 more unemployed than in September 2019.

From August to September 2020, the total labor force increased by 3,490 to 741,740. This was a decrease of 34,650 from September 2019.

Nationally, the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for September was 7.9%, a decrease of 0.5 percentage points from the August rate, and an increase of 4.4 percentage points from the September 2019 rate.

- AP

 Update: Thursday, Oct. 15, 8:00 a.m.

A golf course employee in Concord, New Hampshire, has tested positive for COVID-19 after a customer who tested positive visited during the weekend, a city spokesperson said.

The Beaver Meadow Golf Course employee is currently in quarantine, the spokesperson said.

Beaver Meadow will be closed on Thursday through Saturday for deep cleaning and sanitization of the entire facility.

The state Health Department is conducting contact tracing.

- AP

Update: Wednesday, Oct. 14, 7:11 p.m.

Two additional residents have died from coronavirus. 

The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services announced today that a female from Hillsborough County and a male from Strafford County died from the virus. Aside from their county of residence and gender, the state only identified them as being 60 or older. There have been 458 COVID deaths since March.

The state reported 71 new infections Wednesday, and the current known active cases increased to 823.

Of the new cases, 14 individuals are under 18 years old. There were two new hospitalizations; 19 residents were recorded as being in the hospital Wednesday due to COVID-19.

- NHPR Staff

Update: Tuesday, Oct. 13, 5:31 p.m.

There are 77 new COVID-19 infections in New Hampshire, with six new hospitalizations due to the virus.

State health officials report 787 current positive cases statewide. Since the pandemic began, there have been 9,279 cases, and the state says 8,036 have recovered.

Of the new cases, 15 are under the age of 18. The six hospitalizations were reported Monday, but occurred on prior days, according to the state Department of Health and Human Services. There are currently 17 residents in the hospital due to the coronavirus.

No new deaths were reported Tuesday.

Update: Tuesday, Oct. 13, 11:55 a.m.

Dartmouth College announced its first COVID-19 cluster Monday. In an email to the community, Dartmouth said that three undergraduate students living off-campus had tested positive for COVID.

The students have had limited access to campus, and are in isolation. The college says it's working with the health departments of both New Hampshire and Vermont in contact tracing.

There are currently five active COVID-19 cases at Dartmouth. Two of those are faculty and staff.

- Staff & Wire 

Update: Tuesday, Oct. 13, 11:07 a.m.

Four restaurants in Portsmouth have closed temporarily after staff tested positive for COVID-19.

The Rosa and its sister restaurants Martingale Wharf announced Monday they are closing. And late last week, management at Jumpin’ Jay’s Fish Café and Flatbread Company announced their closures.

Health officials issued a warning Sunday to anyone who sat at the bar at Jumpin’ Jay’s in the evening on Sept. 30 through Oct. 4.

Those patrons may have been exposed and should call DHHS for further guidance, the department said in a news release.

None of the four restaurants have indicated when they may reopen.

- Staff & Wire

Update: Monday, Oct. 12, 6:40 p.m.

State health officials reported 65 new COVID-19 infections in New Hampshire on Monday. Of the new cases, ten patients are under the age of 18.

No new deaths or hospitalized cases were reported. Currently, 17 New Hampshire residents are hospitalized in connection with the virus, and 456 people have died.

- NHPR Staff

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Update: Sunday, Oct. 11, 7:20 p.m.

The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services reported one COVID-related death in the state on Sunday, bringing total deaths from the coronavirus to 456.

The state also reported 55 new infections, a number that includes fourteen patients under the age of 18.

There are now 685 active COVID-19 cases in New Hampshire. Twenty-two individuals are currently hospitalized.

- NHPR Staff

Sunday, Oct. 11, 8:54 a.m.

State health officials are investigating a person infected with COVID-19 who may have exposed customers seated at the bar at Jumpin’ Jay’s Fish Cafe on Congress Street in Portsmouth.

The customers at the bar Sept. 30 to Oct. 4, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., may have been exposed.

Anyone who visited and sat at the bar during those dates and times are asked to call the N.H. Department of Health and Human Services (603) 271-4496 for further guidance. DHHS has conducted a contact tracing investigation and notified known close contacts.

- NHPR Staff

Update: Saturday, Oct. 10, 4:39 p.m.

The state announced five additional deaths Saturday due to COVID-19. There were 123 new infections, with 35 of them from an outbreak at a long-term care facility.

Twenty of the new cases are residents under the age of 18.

There are 692 current coronavirus cases.

The five deaths brings the total number of deaths to 455 since the pandemic began. All five were 60 or older; two women and two men from Hillsborough County, and a man from Belknap County, according to the Department of Health and Human Services.

DHHS reported a daily 1.2 percent positivity rate for the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests. Of the new cases Saturday, 102 were PCR, and 21 from the antigen test. Two new hospitalizations were reported; 21 residents are currently in the hospital due to coronavirus.

- NHPR Staff

Gov. Chris Sununu has again extended the state's emergency declaration, which he first made official on March 13 in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

The governor on Thursday extended the emergency declaration for another 21 days. Read the emergency order here.

Updated: Friday, Oct. 9, 9:55 p.m.  

New Hampshire health officials reported 97 new cases of COVID-19 yesterday, the largest tally attributed to a single day since the end of May.

One new death in the state related to COVID-19 was reported yesterday, for a total of 450 deaths since the pandemic began.

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Of the new infections reported yesterday, 27 were in children under the age of 18.

Confirmed cases of COVID-19 have been rising in New Hampshire since early September, as schools and colleges have reopened and testing rates have increased. The number of hospitalizations and deaths in the state from coronavirus, however, have remained significantly lower than earlier in the spring.

- NHPR Staff

 Update: Thursday, Oct. 8, 3:25 p.m.

Child care programs are getting another $10 million in support for COVID-19 costs, Gov. Chris Sununu announced Thursday.

New Hampshire's "Child Care Recovery & Stabilization Program" was launched earlier this year with $28 million from the federal CARES Act.  

The extra funding reflects the length of the pandemic and the state's emergency declaration in response to coronavirus. At a news conference, Sununu noted that active cases have ticked up this fall, as expected, given students return to secondary and higher education. 

Dr. Ben Chan, the state epidemiologist, said the increase in the number of residents diagnosed with COVID is partly due to a large increase in testing statewide, including at colleges. There is also evidence in the southern part of the state of increasing community transmission, he said.

On Tuesday, Chan announced one additional death, which was associated with a long-term care facility in the state. There have been 449 deaths due to coronavirus since March. The state reports 531 active or current cases.

Lori Shibinette, commissioner of the state Department of Health and Human Services, announced the state has closed the outbreak at Mountain View, a long-term care facility in Ossipee. The state, however, has a new one - at Pine Rock Manor in Warner, where four residents and one employee tested positive for COVID-19. There are only two other long-term care facilities being monitored for outbreaks, as of Oct. 8: Bedford Hills and Warde Health Center in Windham.

- NHPR Staff

Update: Thursday, Oct. 8, 3:21 p.m.

Federal CARES Act money and relief funds distributed by the state may have kept New Hampshire's hospitality industry from collapse during the pandemic. Gov. Chris Sununu, during a news conference today in Concord, says state revenue and tax data shows fewer businesses that collect meals and rentals taxes have closed so far in 2020 than in any year since 2014.

Sununu repeated his wish for a reduction in the state's meals and rooms tax, and he said he would propose it as part of his budget recommendations. The meals and rooms (and rentals) tax is a 9% levy on hotels/lodgings, restaurants, and motor vehicle rentals.

Here's a chart Sununu shared about his office's research on this:

Credit Governor's Office

Update: Wednesday, Oct. 7, 5:31 p.m.

State health officials are investigating an outbreak linked to a church in Nashua. The Department of Health and Human Services says at least seven cases are linked to the Gate City Church on Main Street, which held in-perso prayer sessions from Sept. 19 to Sept. 28.

Anyone who attended the services is being asked to get tested.

DHHS also reported 71 new confirmed cases Wednesday. Two additional deaths were announced, bringing the number of COVID deaths in New Hampshire to 448.

- Todd Bookman

Update: Wednesday, Oct. 7, 11:01 a.m.

New Hampshire's Bureau of Securities Regulation is warning investors to be wary of online schemes about companies promoting products that can detect, treat or cure the coronavirus.

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Barry Glennon, director of the bureau, said pitches may include offers to invest in medical technology or healthcare companies through limited partnerships, penny stock, private offerings, and crowdfunding.

The bureau said common characteristics of the schemes include a focus on fear and anxiety by pushing "safe returns," exploiting trendy assets such as crytocurrencies or complex foreign currency programs, and referring to returns as "passive income" or "cash flow" and promising monthly payments.

"Be wary of optimistic offers, especially during a crisis," Glennon said in a statement.

- Associated Press

Update: Tuesday, Oct. 6, 4:33 p.m.

New Hampshire health officials announced two additional deaths and 53 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 on Tuesday.

The two fatalities were a man and woman from Hillsborough County, both 60 years of age or older. Since March, 446 residents have died from coronavirus.  

Fifteen of the new cases are individuals under the age of 18.

There are 500 active cases of COVID-19 in the state, with 20 people hospitalized.

- Daniela Allee

Update: Tuesday, October 6, 8:30 a.m.

The state is offering $12 million to support struggling live venues across New Hampshire. The money comes from the state's share of the CARES Act Coronavirus Relief Program.

New Hampshire's entertainment industry has been hit especially hard since the pandemic started. Many venues are operating at limited capacity. Others have either canceled or postponed shows.

In a statement, Gov. Chris Sununu said live venues are quote a "lifeblood of many communities." And losing these places could have a "negative ripple effect" for years to come.

Meanwhile, six chambers of commerce in northern New Hampshire are using their federal grants and working together to promote tourism, recruit workforce, educate visitors about the virus and provide protective equipment to small businesses.

-Tat Bellamy-Walker

Update: Monday, October 5, 6:30 p.m.

State health officials reported Monday that one more New Hampshire resident has died from COVID-19. The patient, a female resident of Merrimack County, is the 444th Granite Stater to succumb to the coronavirus.

The state also reported 35 new infections in New Hampshire. The numbers reflect those who tested positive with PCR tests and those who tested positive by antigen tests. (You can read more on the difference between those tests here.)

- NHPR Staff

Update: Sunday, October 4, 9:35 p.m.

The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services announced Sunday that one resident has died of COVID-19. The patient was a male resident of Hillsborough County and was over 60 years old.

The state also reported 53 new coronavirus infections on Sunday. So far, 8,645 residents have contracted the virus, and 443 people have died.

- NHPR Staff

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Update: Saturday, Oct. 3, 4:26 p.m.

State health officials announced 66 new COVID-19 infections on Saturday. Of those, eight residents are under 18. 

New Hampshire has had 8,597 confirmed coronavirus cases since March. There are 500 current cases and 17 people hospitalized, as of Oct. 3.

No new hospitalizations, nor deaths, were announced Saturday.

Nashua had 19 of the new cases, and Manchester 12. Other cases were from: Merrimack County, nine; Hillsborough and Rockingham counties, with eight each; Belknap, Grafton, and Strafford counties each with two; and Cheshire County with one. The state is still determining the residence of three of the cases.

- NHPR Staff

Update: Friday, Oct. 2, 7:11 p.m.

Health officials announced 99 new coronavirus cases on Friday, but said 22 of those are from delayed results and that those cases are no longer active. There was one new death recorded, which occurred earlier in September, based upon further investigation.

The state said it will also now include positive antigen test results, in addition to PCR tests, in its daily totals. It says that’s due to the growing number of antigen tests now being performed in the state.

Since the pandemic began, 8,534 cases have been confirmed in New Hampshire. 

- NHPR Staff

Officials have finalized plans for reopening the state's ski industry.

This comes a week after the Governor Sununu’s reopening task force unanimously approved new guidelines for ski areas.

Changes include social distancing, operating resorts at a limited capacity, and mandatory face coverings.

While on ski lifts, employees are asking visitors to only ride with their families. Riding with strangers is discouraged.

- NHPR Staff

Update: Thursday, Oct. 1, 5:20 p.m.

The state has announced two additional deaths due to the coronavirus. Dr. Beth Daly says the two residents were from one of the state's long-term care facilities. New Hampshire has had 441 deaths from COVID-19 since the pandemic began.

Health officials also report 52 new infections, bringing the total confirmed cases to 8,317 since March.

Health Commissioner Lori Shibinette also announced two new outbreaks at long-term care facilities: Bedford Hills Center and Warde Health Center in Windham.

The larger, at the Bedford Hills Center, include 47 cases, among 33 residents and 14 staff. The outbreak at Ward Health Center in Windham includes 3 residents and one staffer. State Health and Human Services Commissioner Lori Shibinette says the outbreaks happened fast, and the state is working to contain them.

It had been days since the state has reported a new outbreak in a long term care setting. Besides the new clusters, only one facility is experiencing a current outbreak: Mountain View in Ossipee.

Health officials also announced that New Hampshire will have 25,000 more rapid COVID tests available every week through the end of the year. The new tests will make it possible to turn around as many as 400,000 results by year-end.

- NHPR Staff

Update: Thursday, Oct. 1, 11:51 a.m.

Gov. Chris Sununu issued an emergency orderlast night to extend COVID-19 emergency orders for public health guidance and "safer at home" guidance until Nov. 15.

The order reads, in part: "New Hampshire State Epidemiologist Dr. Benjamin Chan has determined that, while New Hampshire's mitigation strategy has been effective in controlling the spread of COVID-19, community mitigation has been and continues to be critically important ..."

Relaxing mitigation efforts and emergency orders "risks additional COVID-19 outbreaks," reads the emergency order, Sununu's 70th in connection with the coronavirus pandemic.

- NHPR Staff