- Associated Press - Thursday, April 23, 2020

CONCORD, N.H. (AP) - Two more long-term care facilities have experienced coronavirus outbreaks, New Hampshire officials said Thursday.

Derry Healthcare & Rehabilitation Center had eight residents and five staff members who tested positive. The Pleasant Valley Nursing Center, also in Derry, had four residents and three staff members who tested positive for the virus.

As of Thursday, more than 1,600 people in New Hampshire had tested positive for the virus and 51 had died. Thirty of the deaths have been associated with institutional outbreaks.

For most people, the virus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough, that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and the infirm, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, or death.

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BUSINESS TAX TRIGGERS

Gov. Chris Sununu said Thursday he agrees with an assessment by the Business and Industry Association that current revenue projections would likely trigger a business tax rate increase, and now’s not a good time for that.

He said when the Legislature returns to Concord, he will call on lawmakers to repeal business tax “triggers” that were included in the state budget passed last year. The future rate of the taxes was dependent upon the performance of the economy.

“Through no fault of their own, many businesses throughout the state have lost customers and revenue. Many are closing,” BIA President Jim Roche said in a letter to Sununu. He said to enact tax increases now “would be extremely insensitive to the struggles of employers of all sizes.”

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SUMMER FAIRS CANCELED

Some summer fairs In New Hampshire have already been canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The Stratham Fair, annually the first in a season of fairs that stretches into October, on Wednesday called off the event, scheduled for July 16-19.

The annual Lancaster Fair, held during Labor Day weekend, also was canceled.

“At this time of year, the Fair Board would typically be fundraising, hiring entertainment, entering into contracts, and making decisions about our fair programs,” the directors said in a statement Wednesday. “During this public health pandemic, when our entire community is under such an intense strain, it is not feasible to request or make such commitments.”

The fate of Bike Week, which is scheduled for June 13-21 and draws thousands of people to New Hampshire, is still up in the air. “That’s a real tough one,” Gov. Chris Sununu said Thursday, adding, “As of right now, we definitely couldn’t” open the state up to large events.

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UNEMPLOYMENT CLAIMS

More than 19,000 initial unemployment claims were filed in New Hampshire last week, down more than 6,000 from the previous week, the U.S. Department of Labor reported Thursday.

The latest number covers new claims through April 18.

ECONOMIC REOPENING

The president of the New Hampshire Restaurant and Lodging Association on Thursday recommended reopening the food and hotel industry in four stages, starting with outdoor dining as the weather warms up.

Mike Somers was the first industry representative to address the Governor’s Economic Re-Opening Task Force. He said he’d love to see phase 1 as early as May 5, the day after the state’s stay-at-home order is set to expire. Republican Gov. Chris Sununu, however, has said an extension is likely.

The plan Somers outlined included a heavy emphasis on screening workers for illness, sanitation and social distancing. He suggested restaurants could add outdoor picnic tables initially, and then gradually resume regular indoor dining. At-risk populations would be encouraged to remain home for the first two, maybe three, phases, he said.

“As we get into warm weather here, I think if we don’t start to give customers and consumers some things to do, whether it’s dining outdoors, visiting retail, whatever it might be, we’re gonna lose control of this,” he said.

The group will hear from the retail and manufacturing sectors Friday. Two sessions to gather public input are set for April 30 from 1-3 p.m. and May 1 from 9-11 a.m.

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SPECIAL EDUCATION GRANTS

New Hampshire’s Department of Education is giving $1 million in special education grants to school districts to support remote learning.

Grants are based on student enrollment, with a minimum of $3,000 and a maximum of $25,000 to each district.

“We had planned to use these funds for professional development this spring, but after speaking to districts across the state, we found that support for remote instruction was a far more pressing priority,” added Rebecca Fredette, state director of special education.

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