CDC Halts Evictions – Sept. 10 Update

Posted on September 10, 2020 by Rep. Steven Smith

16 in Windham test positive for COVID-19 as high school shifts to remote learning

https://www.wmur.com/article/16-in-windham-test-positive-for-covid-19-as-high-school-shifts-to-remote-learning/33971995

CDC halts evictions for nonpayment

On Sept. 4, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) declared a “temporary halt to residential evictions to prevent the further spread of Covid-19.” This eviction moratorium applies to all residential housing in New Hampshire, as it overrides local and state regulations.

The CDC’s order requires residents to declare (under penalty of perjury) that they::

Have used best efforts to obtain all available government assistance for rent or housing (New Hampshire has made funds available to tenant through local Community Action Partnerships);
Expect to earn no more than $99,000 (individual) or $198,000 (married couple) in 2020; OR are not required to report income in 2019; OR received an Economic Impact Payment from the CARES Act;
Are unable to pay the full rent or housing payment due to substantial loss of household income, loss of hours, layoff, or extraordinary medical expenses;
Are using best efforts to make timely partial payments;
Eviction would likely mean that the tenant(s) would become homeless or would force the tenant(s) to move into close quarters or shared living settings due to no other housing options.

Upon receipt by the landlord of a confirmation to the above, the resident may not be lawfully evicted for failure to pay rent through December 31, 2020. Landlords may still evict for other lease violations. This notice does not relieve residents from their rent obligations, and landlords may charge late fees, penalties and interest on missed rental payments.

The order is enforceable through substantial fines to individuals (tenants) of up to $100,000 to $500,000 per event and one year in jail. Organizations (housing providers) are subject to a fine of no more than $200,000 per event if the violation does not result in a death or $500,000 per event if the violation results in a death or as otherwise provided by law.

NH DHHS COVID-19 Update – September 9, 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 Wednesday, September 9, 2020, DHHS announced 23 new positive test results for COVID-19. There have now been 7,517 cases of COVID-19 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 six individuals under the age of 18 and the rest are adults with 61% being female and 39% being male. The new cases reside in Rockingham (7), Hillsborough County other than Manchester and Nashua (2), Strafford (2), Belknap (1), Carroll (1), and Sullivan (1) counties, and in the cities of Manchester (7) and Nashua (2).

One new hospitalized case was identified for a total of 719 (10%) of 7,517 cases. Four 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, are associated with an outbreak setting, or have recently traveled.

DHHS has no additional deaths to report.

Current Situation in New Hampshire

New Hampshire 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Summary Report (data updated September 9, 2020, 9:00 AM)

NH Persons with COVID-191	7,517
Recovered	6,842 (91%)
Deaths Attributed to COVID-19	433 (6%)
Total Current COVID-19 Cases	242
Persons Who Have Been Hospitalized for COVID-19	719 (10%)
Current Hospitalizations	9
Total Persons Tested at Selected Laboratories, Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)2	224,432
Total Persons Tested at Selected Laboratories, Antibody Laboratory Tests2	30,223
Persons with Specimens Submitted to NH PHL	43,486
Persons with Test Pending at NH PHL3	1,042

Persons Being Monitored in NH (approximate point in time)

1,775

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, 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.

Number of Tests Conducted by Date of Report to NH DHHS

Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) Tests
	9/2	9/3	9/4	9/5	9/6	9/7	9/8	Daily Average
NH Public Health Laboratories	812	713	442	617	483	696	803	652
LabCorp	753	634	633	424	667	39	728	554
Quest Diagnostics	468	2,594	1,871	2,148	1,512	827	445	1,409
Mako Medical	0	9	31	12	0	0	1	8
Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center	613	728	731	616	315	196	535	533
Other NH Hospital Laboratory	316	222	177	207	151	197	152	203
Other Laboratory*	151	169	101	220	182	90	31	135
Total	3,113	5,069	3,986	4,244	3,310	2,045	2,695	3,495
Antibody Laboratory Tests
	9/2	9/3	9/4	9/5	9/6	9/7	9/8	Daily Average
LabCorp	8	5	8	5	0	0	0	4
Quest Diagnostics	35	59	48	35	3	2	41	32
Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center	9	8	8	4	0	0	9	5
Other Laboratory*	8	5	8	0	0	0	10	4
Total	60	77	72	44	3	2	60	45

* Includes out-of-state public health laboratories, out-of-state hospital laboratories, and other commercial laboratories not listed in the above table.

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Sept 9 Update – UNH Cluster

Posted on September 9, 2020 by Rep. Steven Smith

‘Reckless’ And ‘Reprehensible’ Frat Party Linked To Coronavirus Outbreak At UNH

Tommy Beer, Forbes Staff

“A number of institutions of higher learning are already dealing with dangerous and disruptive coronavirus outbreaks shortly after reopening for in-person classes.”

More at Forbes.com

NH DHHS Announces Potential Exposures Connected To Positive Cases Of COVID-19 At Theta Chi Fraternity In Durham

The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is investigating a potential outbreak of COVID-19 among individuals associated with Theta Chi Fraternity, located at 5 Strafford Avenue, Durham, NH 03824. To date, 11 persons with COVID- 19 have been identified who have been at the fraternity.

Any individuals who visited Theta Chi Fraternity since the end of August may have been exposed to COVID-19 and should self-observe for illness and seek testing. Students who may have been exposed can access testing through the University of New Hampshire. Persons not associated with the university can access testing through multiple testing options available throughout the State.

Coronavirus cluster linked to a University of New Hampshire frat party

“A cluster of Covid-19 cases has been linked to a fraternity party at the University of New Hampshire, health officials say. The state Department of Health and Human Services said Sunday that it is investigating a potential outbreak tied to a Theta Chi event last weekend. University officials said more than 100 people, including students, attended the August 29 party and few wore masks. Eleven people connected to the party have tested positive for the virus, according to university officials.” More at CNN

The virus moves off campus

The problem with college during the coronavirus pandemic is not just what’s happening on campuses and in college towns. It’s also that colleges may end up spreading the virus to dozens of other communities. In recent weeks, as students have returned to campus, thousands have become infected. And some colleges have responded by sending students home, including those known to have the virus. More at NY Times

Keene High School delays start until Monday

Keene Sentinel Source

NH DHHS COVID-19 Update – September 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 Tuesday, September 8, 2020, DHHS announced 21 new positive test results for COVID-19. There have now been 7,494 cases of COVID-19 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 six individuals under the age of 18 and the rest are adults with

48% being female and 52% being male. The new cases reside in Rockingham (11), Cheshire (2), Grafton (2), Strafford (2), and Merrimack (1) counties, and in the cities of Manchester (1) and Nashua (1). The county of residence is being determined for one new case.

No new hospitalized cases were identified for a total of 718 (10%) of 7,494 cases. Two 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 no additional deaths to report.

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Challenges Facing New Hampshire’s Workers and Economy During the COVID-19 Crisis

Posted on September 7, 2020 by Rep. Steven Smith

This year has posed unprecedented challenges to New Hampshire’s workers and economy. The COVID-19 pandemic and crisis has contributed to significant changes in employment and has impacted the economic security of many Granite Staters.

Despite positive trends in employment and the other indicators, which continued into early 2020, the onset of the COVID-19 crisis in New Hampshire created a severe public health emergency and has led to subsequent economic and employment fallout. This COVID-19 crisis is both a health and economic challenge, and continues to impact the lives of Granite Staters.

Unemployment in New Hampshire reached unprecedented levels in April 2020. This spike in unemployment levels was higher than any point during the Great Recession, which spanned 2007 to 2009. Unemployment continues to remain elevated throughout the state, and job losses have been greatest in certain service-based industries. These industries, which paid lower than average wages, along with regions of New Hampshire where large portions of employment are supported by tourism and leisure activities, have experienced the largest levels of employment loss, represented through claims for unemployment insurance.

These employment losses in New Hampshire have directly impacted the economic stability of many Granite Staters, particularly those who were earning lower or more modest incomes, and who worked in the most effected service-based industries. Many of those facing employment or income losses due to the impacts of this crisis have utilized key support programs, which have been temporarily expanded or created in an effort to help ensure individuals and families can make ends meet.

Despite these expansions to certain support programs, other challenges in the state were both created and exacerbated by the COVID-19 crisis. The costs of housing and food have increased during this crisis, and limited access to and affordability of childcare has created additional financial and employment hardships for many New Hampshire residents and families.

This Issue Brief examines the recent employment landscape in New Hampshire, the employment impacts of the COVID-19 crisis on specific industries and regions of the state, comparisons of the current economic recession to past recessions, and discussions of the new and increased pressures facing Granite Staters who may be the most vulnerable and face the greatest risks to their economic stability.