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Omicron BA.2 COVID variant has circulated in U.S. for some time--White House

Mon, 2022-03-14 19:14 — mike kraft

White House: Omicron BA.2 COVID variant has circulated in U.S. for some time The White House said on Monday that the Omicron BA.2 sub-variant of COVID-19 had been circulating in the United States for some time, with roughly 35,000 cases at the moment, and more money was needed to help fight it. Reuters Reuters

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New Hampshire no longer recommends masks in most indoor spaces

Thu, 2022-02-24 10:41 — mike kraft

New Hampshire no longer recommends masks in most indoor spaces as COVID-19 declines

New Hampshire is no longer recommending that face masks be worn in indoor public spaces, including schools, as the number of COVID-19 cases in the state continues to decline.

State health officials said that even though COVID-19 is continuing to circulate, the risk of serious illness has declined to the point that masks are no longer routinely necessary.

"As the risk decreases, we can pull back on some of the recommended prevention strategies," said Dr. Benjamin Chan, the state epidemiologist. "We are no longer recommending universal face masks for people in indoor public locations, unless required in specific situations."

>> COVID-19 in New Hampshire updates: Important information

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Drug overdose deaths reach record high during pandemic

Wed, 2022-02-16 20:04 — mike kraft

Drug overdose deaths reach record high New data out Wednesday from the the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that overdose deaths hit a record high last year. Monique Beals TheHill

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Experts have said the trend is likely to continue even after the pandemic's impact on daily life becomes less significant.

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Covid hospitalization hot spots across the U.S., in five charts

Tue, 2022-02-15 09:56 — mike kraft

Covid hospitalization hot spots across the U.S., in five charts Updated daily. NBC News

Covid-19 hospitalizations are starting to decline after a surge in December and January.

As of Friday, Feb. 11, all but three states and territories have seen a decrease in hospitalizations compared to two weeks ago, with Connecticut and Puerto Rico having the largest percentage drop. Alabama, Kentucky and West Virginia have the most population-adjusted hospitalizations in the country.

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New Hampshire schools struggle to keep students in class, help them get vaccinations

Tue, 2022-01-25 10:48 — mike kraft

New Hampshire schools hold vaccination clinics as COVID-19 surge continues

MANCHESTER, N.H. —

Some New Hampshire school districts are still struggling to keep students in class, but officials are hopeful that the COVID-19 winter surge is nearing an end.

The Department of Health and Human Services dashboard currently lists more than 1,000 active COVID-19 cases in New Hampshire schools, with 299 clusters, although the dashboard is not always up to date.

School officials said they're not only trying to control the spread of COVID-19, but also trying to keep children in school in the future. Woodsville Elementary School is closed through Wednesday because of 30 active cases, making up more than 10% of the students in the school.

"I am hopeful that the three days of school closure will provide time for some of our positive cases to clear and allow for deep cleaning," Superintendent Laurie Melanson said. "We are providing student meals during these three days for pick up at the school."

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Testing center problem: testing centers operated by Center for COVID Controls shut down in two states

Fri, 2022-01-14 19:15 — mike kraft

Center for COVID Control's testing sites to 'pause' as authorities in 2 states shut down centers An Illinois-based coronavirus testing company under investigation by the Oregon Department of Justice announced a "one-week pause on all operations." Grace Hauck USA

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U.S. East Coast sees signs of omicron slowdown

Thu, 2022-01-13 09:51 — mike kraft

Omicron waves appear to slow in New York City, other major metropolitan areas The apparent slowdown in East Coast cities offers reason for cautious optimism that the turning point could be near and that the omicron variant’s U.S. trajectory is similar to that of other countries. Washington Post

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New Hampshire infections: Omicron now dominant COVID-19 variant

Wed, 2022-01-12 14:08 — mike kraft

Omicron now dominant COVID-19 variant in New Hampshire

CONCORD, N.H. —

The omicron variant is rapidly spreading in New Hampshire, health officials said Tuesday, noting that more than 90% of COVID-19 specimens tested Monday showed evidence of the new variant.

The omicron variant has quickly spread around the world, but it was slower to show up in New Hampshire than in other parts of the United States. Health officials said that last week, the estimated proportion of specimens identified as omicron increased from 30-40% to 75%, fore rising over 90% Monday.

Health officials said Monday that active cases of COVID-19 rose to 17,208, the highest ever in New Hampshire. Hospitalizations increased slightly to 377, about 100 less than they were a month ago. ...

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New Hampshire: Omicron now dominant COVID-19 variant

Wed, 2022-01-12 12:56 — mike kraft

Omicron now dominant COVID-19 variant in New Hampshire

CONCORD, N.H. — The omicron variant is rapidly spreading in New Hampshire, health officials said Tuesday, noting that more than 90% of COVID-19 specimens tested Monday showed evidence of the new variant.

The omicron variant has quickly spread around the world, but it was slower to show up in New Hampshire than in other parts of the United States. Health officials said that last week, the estimated proportion of specimens identified as omicron increased from 30-40% to 75%, before rising over 90% Monday.

Health officials said Monday that active cases of COVID-19 rose to 17,208, the highest ever in New Hampshire. Hospitalizations increased slightly to 377, about 100 less than they were a month ago. ...

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Covid test results are taking days in New Hampshire, some residents report.

Tue, 2022-01-11 19:07 — mike kraft

New Hampshire residents wait for days for results of COVID-19 tests

PORTSMOUTH, N.H. —

Some New Hampshire residents are waiting a week or more for COVID-19 test results from state-run sites.

Between the omicron variant, holiday exposures and requirements for returning to work and school, testing demand has doubled in recent weeks. The increase in demand is creating a backlog at many labs that process the tests.

Kathy Foytho said she and her sister got tested together at the state-run site in Nashua on Dec. 31. She said they were told to call after 72 hours if they hadn't received results.

"The people on the phone were very nice, no point in getting upset with them," she said. "They did end up telling me that was the norm right now, that long wait."

She said her sister needed results to return to work.

"Six days for myself, eight days for my sister," she said.

A student who tested at the site in Newington last week said he needs results to return to college out of state. He canceled his Sunday flight and is still waiting.

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