Newsbrief: NH to battle the coronavirus

(Photo: David Lane)

by Lo Jackson Jr.

New Hampshire officials expect to see cases of the coronavirus peak in late April or early May, according to the Concord Monitor.

“We’ll know and have more accurate numbers in the coming week or two on how much and when we expect that peak to be,” State Health Commissioner Lori Shibinette said during a meeting, held by audio conference. “We’re watching numbers every day for that.”

More than 100 people have tested positive for the coronavirus in New Hampshire.

New Hampshire Executive Councilor Debora Pignatelli asked Gov. Chris Sununu to issue an emergency stay at home order while the states battles with the coronavirus. The order includes the closing of nonessential businesses and prohibits employees from working.

Gov. Sununu noted that Vermont Gov. Phil Scott ordered the closing of in-person operations. “They have about half our population and the same number of identified cases, and we’ve tested a lot more than they have, so they have quite an issue,” said Sununu.

The state is taking precautions such as liquor curbside pickup and school bus wifi to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

Many businesses and restaurants are offering delivery, drive-by, and curbside services. Sununu said that state officials are looking into offering curbside pickup for New Hampshire liquor and wine outlets.

A small community in Rochester, NH has joined together to help people who need access to wifi. Nine school buses with wifi hotspots were parked around Rochester. Each bus has a 300 feet connection radius and network and wifi passwords were taped to the windows.