Oct 10 Update – Be Careful out there

Posted on October 10, 2020 by Rep. Steven Smith

I know that not everyone is doing literally all that they should to be safe. Most people are doing some things though, and that has worked pretty well. As we go into the holiday season, it is going to be harder. I did not enjoy the early stages. I spent a lot of time helping people with their unemployment claims, navigating travel rules, and figuring out how to apply for the available grants. We don’t ever want to return to life as it was in March, so please don’t relax yet. Continue to wash your hands more than used to, please continue to wear a mask most of the time and always where required, and do what you can. ~ Steve

COVID tracker: Cases are rising faster

By DAVID BROOKSMonitor staffPublished: 10/9/2020 3:11:35 PM

The long-feared autumn rise in New Hampshire COVID-19 has started to arrive, as reflected in a deterioration of the Monitor’s weekly tracking – for the first time in months we are missing two of our goals – as well as the state’s concern that community-wide transmission is happening in more areas.

Part of the issue is New Hampshire’s decision to include rapid antigen testing in daily results, rather than just PCR tests.

Both types of tests are conducted on nasal swabs. PCR tests detect the genetic material of the virus itself. They are more reliable but take several days to be performed by a laboratory.

Antigen tests detect proteins on the outside of the SARS-CoV2 virus and depend on chemical reactions that can be read on site in as little as 15 minutes.

The state said earlier this month antigen tests that have proved reliable enough are now so widely available that they can be included in the daily counts, rather than waiting for their results to be confirmed by PCR tests.

The number of antigen tests is still relatively small compared to PCR tests but should increase. The federal government is expected to provide the state with as many as 400,000 Abbott BinaxNOW antigen tests by the end of the year.

In recent days about one-third of new cases have been detected through antigen tests: on Thursday, for example, there were 55 PCR positives and 24 antigen positives, while Wednesday saw 43 new cases from PCR and 28 from antigen tests. More at https://www.concordmonitor.com/covid-coronavirus-nh-new-hampshire-36674635

PPP loan forgiveness process now simplified, SBA says

By  BOB SANDERSNH Business ReviewPublished: 10/9/2020 4:47:50 PM

Businesses that received less than $50,000 in Paycheck Protection Program funds now have a simplified form to submit to their bank to get forgiveness on that loan, the U.S. Small Business Administration announced Thursday night.

The one-page form asks for such basic information as the number of employees, the amount of the loan and the amount to be forgiven. That’s it. More at https://www.concordmonitor.com/PPP-loan-forgiveness-process-now-simplified-SBA-says-36721292

The Safety Pledge – Keep Kids Safer Online

On September 29, a new campaign led by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) and the White House was launched to keep kids safe online – Safety Pledge. This campaign aims to provide free resources from the NCMEC to help parents, educators, and other caregivers learn more about the risks that children face online and empower the children in their lives to respond to those risks safely. 

Throughout COVID-19, NCMEC has witnessed dramatic increases in reports of child sexual exploitation to the CyberTipline and increased vulnerability of children. With many children being educated remotely this fall and using virtual devices for school lessons and social interactions, it is essential that we work together to help keep children safe online. 

The website – www.safetypledge.org – contains practical toolkits about internet safety. It also contains a Safety Pledge, which individuals can digitally sign and make their formal commitment to safeguarding children online.

New Hampshire 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Summary Report

(data updated as of October 9, 2020 – 9:00 AM)

Number of Persons with COVID-19 18,970
Recovered7,935 (88%)
Deaths Attributed to COVID-19450 (5%)
Total Current COVID-19 Cases585
Persons Who Have Been Hospitalized for COVID-19748 (8%)
Current Hospitalizations13
Total Persons Tested at Selected Laboratories, Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)2290,038
Total Persons Tested at Selected Laboratories, Antibody Laboratory Tests231,441
Persons with Specimens Submitted to NH PHL48,452
Persons with Test Pending at NH PHL3972
Persons Being Monitored in NH (approximate point in time)3,050

1 Includes specimens positive at any laboratory and those confirmed by CDC confirmatory testing.
2 Includes specimens tested at the NH Public Health Laboratories (PHL), LabCorp, Quest, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Mako, certain hospital laboratories, the University of New Hampshire and their contracted laboratory, and those sent to CDC prior to NH PHL testing capacity.
3 Includes specimens received and awaiting testing at NH PHL. Does not include tests pending at commercial laboratories.

Click to access covid-19-update-10092020.pdf

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Free meals for kids extended through June 2021

Posted on October 10, 2020 by Rep. Steven Smith
Flexibilities now available through June 30, 2021
(Mt. Wolf, PA, October 9, 2020) – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced today that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is extending flexibilities to allow free meals to continue to be available to all children throughout the entire 2020-2021 school year. This unprecedented move is part of USDA’s unwavering commitment to ensuring all children across America have access to nutritious food as the nation recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic.
“As our nation recovers and reopens, we want to ensure that children continue to receive the nutritious breakfasts and lunches they count on during the school year wherever they are, and however they are learning,” said Secretary Perdue. “We are grateful for the heroic efforts by our school food service professionals who are consistently serving healthy meals to kids during these trying times, and we know they need maximum flexibility right now. I appreciate President Trump for his unwavering commitment to ensuring kids receive the food they need during this pandemic and for supporting USDA in continuing to provide these unprecedented flexibilities.”
“Northeastern School District has implemented the USDA waiver to offer all students free meals utilizing the SSO program. We have been able to offer free meals to all students in-person (Brick & Mortar) and through Curbside pick-up for virtual students. I am extremely proud of my staff and their flexibility to do their best to keep school meals as normal as possible during a pandemic. The Child Nutrition Staff have wanted to continue hot meals for students and wanted to offer their favorite meal choices,” said Kimberly Alessandroni, Director of Child Nutrition Services, Northeastern School District.
“These waiver extensions are great news for America’s students and the school nutrition professionals working so hard to support them throughout this pandemic,” said School Nutrition Association President Reggie Ross, SNS. “Families struggling to make ends meet can be assured that their students will have access to healthy school meals, whether they are learning at home or in school. School meal programs can remain focused on safely meeting nutritional needs of children in their communities without having to worry about burdensome regulations. The School Nutrition Association appreciates USDA’s ongoing efforts to address the many challenges our members have faced while working on the frontlines to feed hungry children.”
Background:
USDA previously extended child nutrition waivers through December 2020 based upon available funding at the time. The flexibilities extended today will allow schools and other local program operators to continue to leverage the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) and the Seamless Summer Option (SSO) to provide no cost meals to all children, available at over 90,000 sites across the country, through June 30, 2021.
USDA understands a one-size-fits-all approach is not an effective way to feed children, particularly during the current challenges facing our country. USDA can extend these waivers due to language in the continuing resolution signed into law by President Trump last week.
USDA is extending waivers through June 30, 2021, that:
  • Allow SFSP and SSO meals to be served in all areas and at no cost;
  • Permit meals to be served outside of the typically required group settings and meal times;
  • Waive meal pattern requirements, as necessary; and
  • Allow parents and guardians to pick-up meals for their children.
These program flexibilities allow schools and local program operators to operate a meal service model that best meets their community’s unique needs, while keeping kids and staff safe. Additional flexibilities are being granted on a state-by-state basis, as required by law, to facilitate a wide range of meal service options and accommodate other operational needs.
Early in the pandemic, USDA adapted its summer feeding site finder to ensure parents and children would be able to easily locate sites that were providing meal service. With this new announcement, the Meals for Kids interactive site finder will continue to collect data, voluntarily provided by USDA’s state agency partners, about operating sites including location, meal service times, and additional information.
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Oct 9 Update – Relief programs

Posted on October 9, 2020 by Rep. Steven Smith

I received multiple questions on relief programs this week, so here is a list. ~ Steve

Live Venue Relief Program

This program supports performance venues facing revenue losses due to COVID-19, provided that they are primarily engaged in hosting live theatrical presentations, musical entertainment, and/or sporting or racing events, that are seated, ticketed, and open to the public. The program is open to both for-profit and nonprofit facilities meeting these criteria.

Due Date: Tuesday, October 13, 2020

For questions: Email the Governor’s Office for Emergency Relief and Recovery (GOFERR) at info@GOFERR.nh.gov.

New Hampshire Agriculture COVID-19 Relief Fund – Non-Dairy Farms – Round 2 This program generally supports non-dairy farms that have experienced negative financial impacts due to COVID-19. The “NH Agriculture COVID-19 Relief Program – Non-Dairy Farms – Round 2” application is specifically for COVID-19-related expenses and/or lost sales incurred during the period from July 1, 2020 to September 30, 2020.  

Due Date: Thursday, October 15, 2020

For questions: Contact Gail McWilliam Jellie, Director, Division of Agricultural Development, at (603) 271-3551 or gail.d.mcwilliam.jellie@agr.nh.gov.

New Hampshire Shelter Modification Program

Governor Sununu has authorized the allocation of $15 million from the federal Coronavirus Relief Fund to support necessary homeless shelter modifications and expansion before December 30, 2020 to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. New Hampshire Housing Finance Authority (NHHFA) is accepting applications for grants to existing homeless shelters, including emergency, transitional, and domestic violence shelters, for physical modifications and operating costs to enable the shelters to meet the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the NH Division of Public Health guidelines related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Due Date: Ongoing basis

Questions about the program can also be directed to Natasha Dube at 603-310-9281 or Ted Seely at 603-310-9292.

Supporting Children In Care Program

Supporting Children in Care Program, administered by New Hampshire Foster & Adoptive Parent Association (NHFAPA), is designed to benefit children in foster care, as well as foster and relative caregivers. Foster and relative caregivers may seek stipends of up to $500 per child, which shall pay for or offset the cost of the program identified by the applicant. This program will provide flexible options to foster and relative caregivers to assist them with finding the right summer or fall program for the youth in their care

Due Date: Thursday, December 1, 2020


Click here for additional information about the Supporting children in Care Program
Click here to apply to the Supporting Children in Care Program

New Hampshire Housing Relief Program

Governor Chris Sununu has authorized the allocation and expenditure of $35 million from the CARES Act Coronavirus Relief Fund (“flex funds”) to support families or individuals in need of housing assistance as a result of COVID-19. Of the allocated $35 million, $20 million will be initially expended for rental assistance and other household-related expenses, with $15 million being held in reserve, for rent stabilization and housing support.

Due Date: Ongoing basis


Click Here for More Information about New Hampshire Housing Relief Program
Click Here to Apply for New Hampshire Housing Relief Program

For questions: Call 2-1-1 or email dhhs.bhhs@dhhs.nh.gov

Community College System of New Hampshire (CCSNH) Tuition Assistance Program

Governor Chris Sununu has authorized the expenditure of $6 million from the CARES Act Coronavirus Relief Fund (“flex funds”) for the CCSNH Tuition Assistance Program, which will allow CCSNH to provide assistance to New Hampshire students who have faced COVID-19 related economic impacts.

Due Date: Ongoing basis


Click Here for More Information about CCSNH Tuition Assistance Program
Click Here to Apply for CCSNH Tuition Assistance Program

For questions:

New Hampshire 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Summary Report

(data updated as of October 8, 2020 – 9:00 AM)

Number of Persons with COVID-19 18,878
Recovered7,898 (89%)
Deaths Attributed to COVID-19449 (5%)
Total Current COVID-19 Cases531
Persons Who Have Been Hospitalized for COVID-19747 (8%)
Current Hospitalizations14
Total Persons Tested at Selected Laboratories, Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)2287,628
Total Persons Tested at Selected Laboratories, Antibody Laboratory Tests231,384
Persons with Specimens Submitted to NH PHL48,226
Persons with Test Pending at NH PHL31,337
Persons Being Monitored in NH (approximate point in time)2,850

1 Includes specimens positive at any laboratory and those confirmed by CDC confirmatory testing.
2 Includes specimens tested at the NH Public Health Laboratories (PHL), LabCorp, Quest, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Mako, certain hospital laboratories, the University of New Hampshire and their contracted laboratory, and those sent to CDC prior to NH PHL testing capacity.
3 Includes specimens received and awaiting testing at NH PHL. Does not include tests pending at commercial laboratories.

NH DHHS COVID-19 Update – October 8, 2020

Concord, NH – The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has issued the following update on the new coronavirus, COVID-19.

On Thursday, October 8, 2020, DHHS announced 79 new positive test results for COVID-19, for a daily PCR test positivity rate of 0.7%. Today’s results include 55 people who tested positive by PCR test and 24 who tested positive by antigen test. There are now 531 current COVID-19 cases diagnosed in New Hampshire.

Several cases are still under investigation. Additional information from ongoing investigations will be incorporated into future COVID-19 updates. Of those with complete information, there are fifteen individuals under the age of 18 and the rest are adults with 57% being female and 43% being male. The new cases reside in Hillsborough County other than Manchester and Nashua (20), Rockingham (19), Merrimack (5), Strafford (3), Grafton (1), and Sullivan (1) counties, and in the cities of Manchester (17) and Nashua (13).

Two new hospitalized cases were identified. There are currently 14 individuals hospitalized with COVID­19. Ten of the new cases had no identified risk factors. Community-based transmission continues to occur in the State and has been identified in all counties. Of those with complete risk information, most of the cases have either had close contact with a person with a confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis or have recently traveled.

DHHS has announced one additional death related to COVID-19. We offer our sympathies to the family and friends.

. 1 female resident of Hillsborough County, 60 years of age and older

In New Hampshire since the start of the pandemic, there have been a total of 8,878 cases of COVID-19 diagnosed with 747 (8%) of those having been hospitalized.

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