NH Coronavirus Update: Governor Creates Reopening Task Force

Tony Schinella
Updated ·8 min read

CONCORD, NH — Gov. Chris Sununu announced the creation of a new task force to decide when and how to reopen New Hampshire's economy in the wake of the new coronavirus pandemic.

The creation of the Governor's Economic Re-Opening Task Force, announced in a news conference and a Twitter thread Tuesday, comes three days after hundreds of people rallied at the Statehouse, and about a week after thousands signed an online petition calling for an end to the stay-at-home and nonessential business closures orders issued by the governor in mid-March.

Sununu said ending the orders would not be an "open or closed situation" and would be approached in a slow and careful manner. The new task force, he said, would look at the economy "on a micro level" and create "guidance documents" for private business and organizations to move forward "in a sound manner" following some of the federal phased guidelines.

"We're not going to allow a second or third surge to hit us," Sununu said.

Sununu said the stay-at-home order would not be in place indefinitely. But the reopening of the state might require some people in vulnerable populations to continue to be protected.

The task force idea, Sununu said, had been in the works for a few weeks.

Unemployment Benefits

New Hampshire Employment Security released more than $50 million in benefits to 184,000 people filing claims this week, the governor said. About $88 million has been paid out since the epidemic started. Sununu thanked the more than 200 people at call centers working through the claims.

The "vast majority of claims" have been approved, Sununu said. But about 5 percent of claims, which he called "a little more complex," were requiring more information from the residents applying for the benefits.

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Sununu also said another round for the Paycheck Protection Program is being worked on in Congress, about $450 billion, and should include money for hospitals. He called it "good news for the New Hampshire economy."

Updated COVID-19 Info

Dr. Benjamin Chan, the state's epidemiologist, said more than 2.5 million people around the world have been infected with COVID-19 with 800,000 cases in the United States.

New Hampshire is six weeks into the pandemic, and 1,491 residents have become infected — 44 more than 24 hours ago. The state has tested more than 15,000 people, and 225 tests are pending at the state's labs. About 206 people have been hospitalized.

Chan said there were no new deaths to announce. Still, he added, 42 persons having died directly or due to complications of COVID-19 in the state was the "exact situation we are trying to avoid … we are trying to save lives and prevent our health care situation from becoming overwhelmed."

About 70 to 75 people were hospitalized daily, he said, and while the numbers have been stable, the state had not yet seen a decline of the overall spread of COVID-19 in its communities. Chan stressed adhering to the stay-at-home order, only going out for necessary purchases, frequent hygiene, and to stay self-isolated if a person is sick.

Hopefully, in the near future, the state will see a decline in the community transmission in New Hampshire, Chan said.

Questions From The Press

Sununu was asked if he is still expecting a surge of the coronavirus in late April or early May, and he said Boston was "surging right now" and Hillsborough and Rockingham counties are "essentially suburbs" of Boston and there was still a lot of asymptomatic transmission. Many of the state's residents, working or visiting Massachusetts, still could be infected.

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The governor was also asked about testing in places such as Vermont.

The question was probably prompted by another letter from Mindi Messmer, an Executive Council candidate and Democrat from the Seacoast who, along with a number of doctors and others, called for mass testing, contact tracing, and isolating across the state, and widespread use of masks/face coverings, especially in closed-air essential gathering such as like grocery stores, before opening up the state. The letter showed New Hampshire having a test rate that is worse than other New England states.

Sununu said each state was in a different situation and that Vermont had nearly twice as many infected per capita — after an influx of visitors from New York. He said New Hampshire was ramping up testing — including 6,000 health care workers in the state, and he and others would continue to work on increasing testing.

Chan later said the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services was conducting contact tracing; had been doing so since the first case was identified in New Hampshire; and, unlike many other states that had stopped investigations, would continue to trace how people became infected and who they encountered during the incubation period.

The governor, asked about campgrounds, said they may also be closed in the state — due mostly to fear of people from Massachusetts coming into the state.

"Let's cut to the chase," he said. "That's why."

It's not about what happens in the campgrounds, Sununu said, "it's about who visits," and there had been many people he had spoken to that have raised concerns about the potential spread from out-of-staters in communities with campgrounds.

The new guidance will suggest ways to mitigate campgrounds as well as restaurant openings, too, Sununu said.

Governor's Economic Re-Opening Task Force Members

The governor's news office released a list of task force members.

They include: Taylor Caswell, Commissioner, New Hampshire Department of Business and Economic Affairs; DJ Bettencourt, Policy Director, Governor's Office; state Sens. Kevin Cavanaugh, Shannon Chandley, Sharon Carson, Bob Giuda, and state Reps. Ed Butler, Mel Meyler, Bill Marsh, and Tim Lang; John Nyhan, Hampton Area Chamber of Commerce; Mike Somers, CEO/President, New Hampshire Lodging and Restaurants; Steve Ahnan, President, New Hampshire Hospital Association; Timothy Mone, President, New Hampshire Police Association; Nancy Kyle, President/CEO, NH Retailers Association; Chris Emond, CEO, Central New Hampshire Boys & Girls Club; Lori Harnois, Director, State of New Hampshire Travel & Tourism; Phil Bryce, State of New Hampshire Parks & Recreation Director; and Bruce Berke, New Hampshire Travel Council and New Hampshire Chapter of the National Federation of Independent Business.

Its mission statement is posted on the governor's website.

Stopping The Spread Of COVID-19

The COVID-19 virus is spread through respiratory droplets, usually through coughing and sneezing, and exposure to others who are sick or might be showing symptoms.

Health officials emphasize residents should follow these recommendations:

  • Avoid any domestic and international travel, especially on public transportation such as buses, trains, and airplanes.

  • Practice social distancing. Stay at least 6 feet from other people, including distancing while in waiting areas or lines.

  • Anybody who is told to self-quarantine and stay at home due to exposure to a person with confirmed or suspect COVID-19 needs to stay home and not go out into public places.

  • If you are 60 years or older or have chronic medical conditions, you need to stay home and not go out.

  • Avoid gatherings of 10 people or more.

  • Employers need to move to telework as much as possible.

  • There is increasing evidence that this virus can survive for hours or possibly even a few days on surfaces, so people should clean frequently touched surfaces, including door handles, grocery carts and grocery basket handles, etc.

Take the same precautions as you would if you were sick:

  • Stay home and avoid public places when sick (i.e., social distancing).

  • Cover mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing.

  • Wash hands frequently.

  • Disinfect frequently touched surfaces.

More information from the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services about coronavirus can be found here on the department's website.

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This article originally appeared on the Concord Patch