CONCORD, N.H. (AP) - New Hampshire’s initial shipments of coronavirus vaccines will protect fewer than half of those identified as the most critical recipients, state officials said Thursday.
The state’s vaccination plan prioritizes health care workers, nursing home residents and first responders. Together, they add up to about 100,000 people, but the initial shipments are expected to include enough vaccine for 10,000 to 40,000 people, according to Gov. Chris Sununu.
“There is a prioritization even within (that group). We’re going to target those high-risk health care workers in hospitals, then moving to ambulatory care settings and other settings like home health care providers,” said Beth Daly, chief of the state Bureau of Infectious Disease Control.
In some states, interest groups have tried to move up in the line. For example, Colorado’s draft plan, which is being revised, puts ski resort workers who share close quarters in the second phase of vaccine distribution. But Sununu said he hasn’t heard from any key industries or other interest groups in New Hampshire.
“Frankly, I think that’s a testament to the vaccination plan we’ve put forward,” he said. “They understand where the highest risks are and where they are in line. It’s a good plan that meets the needs and the priorities of the state.”
In other coronavirus developments:
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QUARANTINE TESTING
Departing from federal guidance, New Hampshire will not recommend a “test out” option to shorten the quarantine period for those exposed to the coronavirus.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention this week released new guidance to allow people who have come in contact to someone infected with the virus to resume normal activity after 10 days, or seven days if they receive a negative test result. That’s down from the 14-day period recommended since the onset of the pandemic.
Dr. Benjamin Chan, New Hampshire’s state epidemiologist, said Thursday that the state is implementing the first part of the new guidance, but not the second. That’s partly because officials don’t want to overwhelm testing sites, but also because someone still could develop symptoms after seven days.
“The risk of missing someone with COVID-19 and spreading it further in our communities increases even further and that is not acceptable to us,” he said.
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THE NUMBERS
More than 22,000 people have tested positive for the virus in New Hampshire, including 625 cases announced Thursday. Seven additional deaths were announced, bringing the total to 544.
The seven-day rolling average of daily new cases in New Hampshire has risen over the past two weeks from 371 on Nov. 18 to 508 on Dec. 2.
All seven of the deaths announced Thursday were associated with long-term care facilities. The state also announced seven new outbreaks in nursing homes and other institutional settings Thursday, bringing the total to nearly 20 statewide.
The new outbreaks include 85 residents and 55 staff members who have tested positive, said state epidemiologist Dr. Ben Chan. The affected facilities are: Grace House in Windham, Green Mountain Treatment Center in Effingham, Hanover Hill in Manchester, Hanover Terrace in Hanover, Nashua Crossings, St. Joseph Residence in Manchester and the secure psychiatric unit at the state prison in Concord.
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VETERANS HOME
Senate Democrats are pressing Republican Gov. Chris Sununu to address a COVID-19 outbreak at the New Hampshire Veterans Home that has left 15 residents dead.
Senate Minority Leader Donna Soucy and Sen. Lou D’Allesandro, both of Manchester, sent a letter to the governor Thursday saying they are deeply disturbed by what they view as a lack of action at the 250-bed nursing home in Tilton.
Since the virus was first detected at the home Nov. 10, 53 residents and 64 staff members have tested positive, and 15 veterans have died.
The senators called for the implementation of a plan to prevent further spread of the virus, address staffing shortages and ensure the availability of personal protective equipment.
“The staff at the New Hampshire Veterans Home are risking their health and safety simply to do their jobs and care for our veterans,” they wrote. “This is unacceptable.”
Sununu’s office said he did take immediate action when the facility saw its first case, requesting help from the Department of Veterans Affairs.
“An infection control team along with five additional medical personnel have been dispatched to assist the Veterans Home and review best practices,” the office said in a statement. “The Commandant and her team are doing a phenomenal job and should be applauded for their incredible efforts during this very challenging time.”
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