NH State Representative Steven Smith

July 23 Update – Vaccines and Beef

Posted on July 23, 2020 by Rep. Steven Smith

USDA Provides Update on Investigation Following 2019 Tyson Beef Plant Closure and COVID-19 Pandemic

(Washington, D.C., July 22, 2020) – As part of its commitment to ensuring fair and competitive markets for the livestock, meat and poultry industries, today the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) released a report on its ongoing boxed beef and fed cattle price spread investigation.

“The closure of the Tyson beef packing plant in Holcomb, Kansas, after a fire at the facility, and the COVID-19 pandemic clearly disrupted the markets and processing systems responsible for the production and sale of U.S. beef,” said U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue. “The report examines these economic disruptions and the significant increase in the spread between boxed beef and fed cattle prices that resulted from them. While we’re pleased to provide this update, we assure producers that our work continues in order to determine if there are any violations of the Packers and Stockyards Act. If any unfair practices are detected, we will take quick enforcement action.”

Background:

The report, prepared by USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service in coordination with the Office of the Chief Economist, summarizes market conditions, fed cattle prices, boxed beef values and the spread before and after the fire and plant closure at the Tyson Holcomb plant, and before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.

US secures 100 million doses of Pfizer coronavirus vaccine candidate

The U.S. government announced Wednesday it has reached a deal to gain access to at least 100 million doses of a Pfizer coronavirus vaccine candidate if it proves to be safe and effective.

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Department of Defense announced the agreement with Pfizer for the large-scale production of over 100 million doses following the vaccine’s successful manufacture. Upon receipt of the first 100 million doses, the U.S. will pay the drugmaker $1.95 billion. More at https://abcnews.go.com/Business/us-secures-100-million-doses-pfizer-coronavirus-vaccine/story?id=71916842

2 more COVID-19 deaths announced in NH

https://www.wmur.com/article/2-more-covid-19-deaths-announced-in-nh/33397732

Health officials say they’re working to shift more testing in-state

https://www.wmur.com/article/health-officials-say-theyre-working-to-shift-more-testing-in-state/33396945

Education commissioner answers questions about school reopening plan

https://www.wmur.com/article/new-hampshire-education-commissioner-answers-questions-about-school-reopening-plan-july-22-2020/33391111

NH DHHS COVID-19 Update – July 22nd, 2020

On Wednesday, July 22, 2020, DHHS announced 36 new positive test results for COVID-19. There have now been 6,295 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 42% being female and 58% being male. The new cases reside in Hillsborough County other than Manchester and Nashua (6), Rockingham (6), Carroll (3), Strafford (3), Merrimack (2), and Belknap (1) counties, and in the cities of Manchester (8) and Nashua (7).

Hospitalizations

Three new hospitalized cases were identified for a total of 680 (11%) of 6,295 cases.

Community Based Transmission

Nine of the new cases had no identified risk factors.

Deaths

DHHS has also announced two additional deaths related to COVID-19.

• 1 male resident of Carroll County, under 60 years old

• 1 male resident of Rockingham County, 60 years of age and older

Cumulative Positive Tests by County

Belknap 98
Carroll 76
Cheshire 80
Coos 14
Grafton 99
Hillsborough – Other 1,183
Hillsborough – Manchester 1675
Hillsborough – Nashua 717
Merrimack 443
Rockingham 1562
Strafford 310
Sullivan 38

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

(data updated July 22, 2020, 9:00 AM)

NH Persons with COVID-191 6,295
Recovered 5,341 (85%)
Deaths Attributed to COVID-19 402 (6%)
Total Current COVID-19 Cases 552
Persons Who Have Been Hospitalized for COVID-19 680 (11%)
Current Hospitalizations 24

Total Persons Tested at Selected Laboratories,

Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) 146,879
Total Persons Tested at Selected Laboratories, Antibody
Laboratory Tests 25,796
Persons with Specimens Submitted to NH PHL 35,432
Persons with Test Pending at NH PHL 870
Persons Being Monitored in NH (approximate point in time) 3,400

Number of Specimens Tested by Date of Report to NH DHHS

Information above, and archived daily updates are available here: https://www.nh.gov/covid19/news/updates.htm

Regional Information (total positive test results, deaths)

Look-back period is 1 week.

NH: 6,295 positive test results 402 deaths (1 week ago: 6,113 positive test results 394 deaths) (+181/+7)

MA: 114,320 positive test results 8468 deaths (1 week ago: 112,347 positive test results 8368 deaths) (+1962/+103)

ME: 3,723 positive test results 118 deaths (1 week ago: 3,578 positive test results 114 deaths)

VT: 1,366 positive test results 56 deaths (1 week ago: 1,318 positive test results 56 deaths)

CT: 48,223 positive test results 4,406 deaths (1 week ago: 47,636 positive test results 4,380 deaths)

RI: 18,062 positive test results 997 deaths (1 week ago: 17,640 positive test results 987 deaths)

NY: 413,595 positive test results 32,229 deaths (1 week ago: 408,709 positive test results 32,115, deaths) (+5,072/+128)

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Nursing Home Renovation

Posted on July 22, 2020 by Rep. Steven Smith

Sullivan County, NH Board of Commissioners Special Work Session

Monday, July 27, 2020, 9:00 AM
14 Main Street, Newport, NH, 03773

The purpose of this work session (which may span 4-5 hours) will be for the Board of Commissioners to meet with Milestone Engineering, Warrenstreet Architects and the Sullivan County Health Care Renovation Team to review vendor bids received to assist in the development of the Guaranteed Maximum Price in preparation for the Sullivan County Delegation meeting scheduled for:

Tuesday August 11, 2020 6:00 PM

Other county matters may be discussed during this meeting.

Non-public sessions related to 91-A:3.II.(c) matters which, if discussed in public, would likely affect adversely the reputation of any person, other than a member of the public body itself, unless such person requests an open meeting; may be exercised during this meeting. Questions related to this meeting notice may be directed to the Sullivan County Commissioners Office via commissioners@sullivancountynh.gov or by calling 603-863-2560. Thank you.

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New Hampshire GAP Fund – Apply Now

Posted on July 22, 2020 by Rep. Steven Smith

New Hampshire GAP Fund application is now open

The General Assistance & Preservation Fund has been established to assist for-profit and nonprofit businesses and organizations that have not been able to qualify for funding through the state’s Main Street Relief Fund (MSRF), the Non-Profit Emergency Relief Fund (NERF), or the Self Employed Livelihood Fund (SELF).

Concord, NH — The Governor’s Office for Emergency Relief and Recovery announces that the New Hampshire General Assistance & Preservation Fund (NH GAP Fund) application is now open.

The application period for the GAP Fund will run from July 21, 2020 – August 4, 2020.
For Profit Businesses and Nonprofit Organizations must apply online, here.

Eligible applicants include for-profit and nonprofit businesses and organizations that have not been able to qualify for funding through the state’s Main Street Relief Fund (MSRF), the Non-Profit Emergency Relief Fund (NERF), or the Self Employed Livelihood Fund (SELF).

For more information about the NH GAP Fund and eligibility please visit: www.goferr.nh.gov/GAP

Instructional Webinars:

Instructional webinars are being offered to review the GAP Fund application process and are highly recommended to any prospective applicant and available on the following dates. Interested applicants must register by clicking on the link below:

July 24, 2020 at 10 AM: https://nhbfa_gap-session1.eventbrite.com
July 28, 2020 at 2 PM: https://nhbfa_gap-session2.eventbrite.com

Applicant Contact:

Businesses and nonprofit organizations that require assistance with their application submission may email info@nhbfa.com and will be contacted by the New Hampshire Business Finance Authority Staff shortly thereafter.

NH looks to build up local COVID-19 testing capacity as demand soars across country

https://www.wmur.com/article/nh-looks-to-build-up-local-covid-19-testing-capacity-as-demand-soars-across-country/33384545

As parents have doubts, Sununu says schools will have resources to stay safe

https://www.wmur.com/article/as-parents-have-doubts-sununu-says-schools-will-have-resources-to-stay-safe/33384708

Edelblut says return to statewide remote learning not likely

https://www.concordmonitor.com/Edelblut-says-return-to-statewide-remote-learning-not-likely-35323988

In Bedford, parents push for full-time classroom instruction this fall

https://www.unionleader.com/news/education/in-bedford-parents-push-for-full-time-classroom-instruction-this-fall/article_ceeaa283-305c-59a5-a7ce-bd8997b6e8c3.html?block_id=664693

Sununu announces mask-wearing campaign, lawmakers OK mandate

https://apnews.com/35d440f804b243d0f4728b45192c902e

NH DHHS COVID-19 Update – July 21st, 2020

On Tuesday, July 21, 2020, DHHS announced 16 new positive test results for COVID-19. There have now been 6,262 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, all are adults with 38% being female and 62% being male. The new cases reside in Carroll (2), Belknap (1), Coos (1), Merrimack (1), and Strafford (1) counties, and in the cities of Manchester (6) and Nashua (4).