Number of new COVID-19 cases increases as hospitalization continue to fall – WMUR Manchester

More new cases of COVID-19 have been reported in New Hampshire in the past few days, largely because of new cases on college campuses, health officials said Thursday.Health officials reported 461 new cases Thursday, with 141 coming from colleges and universities. Dr. Benjamin Chan, the state epidemiologist, said the state was averaging 350-400 new cases a day last week.The number of active cases has decreased to 3,048, and the number of current hospitalizations is down to 126. Chan noted that while the number of hospitalizations has been going down since the fall coronavirus peak, the current number is the same as the first peak of infections last spring.Two more deaths were reported, both connected to long-term care facilities, Chan said. There have been 1,150 deaths attributed to COVID-19 in New Hampshire since the start of the pandemic.Gov. Chris Sununu said about 11% of New Hampshire’s population has received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, and 5% are now fully vaccinated.The state said 228,000 doses of the vaccine have now been administered. Next week, New Hampshire will receive an increase of 5,000 doses for the first shots.Sununu is continuing to stress the importance of following public health guidance.”Masks absolutely work. Social distancing works,” he said. “It’s not a coincidence that there’s virtually no flu. I mean there’s virtually no flu around America or in this state right now. Sinus infections are down. Ear infections are down. There’s a reason because what we’re doing actually really does work, and so the proof is there.”The governor is eyeing Memorial Day as a benchmark to have a better idea of what summer will look like. He said if more people get vaccinated and take precautions, there is optimism for the months ahead.** Town-by-town COVID-19 case data **

More new cases of COVID-19 have been reported in New Hampshire in the past few days, largely because of new cases on college campuses, health officials said Thursday.

Health officials reported 461 new cases Thursday, with 141 coming from colleges and universities. Dr. Benjamin Chan, the state epidemiologist, said the state was averaging 350-400 new cases a day last week.

The number of active cases has decreased to 3,048, and the number of current hospitalizations is down to 126. Chan noted that while the number of hospitalizations has been going down since the fall coronavirus peak, the current number is the same as the first peak of infections last spring.

Two more deaths were reported, both connected to long-term care facilities, Chan said. There have been 1,150 deaths attributed to COVID-19 in New Hampshire since the start of the pandemic.

Gov. Chris Sununu said about 11% of New Hampshire’s population has received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, and 5% are now fully vaccinated.

The state said 228,000 doses of the vaccine have now been administered. Next week, New Hampshire will receive an increase of 5,000 doses for the first shots.

Sununu is continuing to stress the importance of following public health guidance.

“Masks absolutely work. Social distancing works,” he said. “It’s not a coincidence that there’s virtually no flu. I mean there’s virtually no flu around America or in this state right now. Sinus infections are down. Ear infections are down. There’s a reason because what we’re doing actually really does work, and so the proof is there.”

The governor is eyeing Memorial Day as a benchmark to have a better idea of what summer will look like. He said if more people get vaccinated and take precautions, there is optimism for the months ahead.

** Town-by-town COVID-19 case data **