The state announced one more case of COVID-19 in a Rockingham County man Thursday, while increasing new restrictions were put on schools, sporting events, and even church services.
The New Hampshire Interscholastic Athletic Association decided to allow the state basketball, hockey tournament, and spirit championships to continue, but under new rules.
Participants in the games will be given four tickets for use by immediate family members, and admittance will be limited to players, coaches, necessary staff, and a select few with tickets.
“During these difficult times, the NHIAA is committed to allowing teams to finish out their seasons.” NHIAA Executive Director Jeffrey Collins said in a statement. “Our students have worked very hard and we owe this to them. Unfortunately, because of this escalating health issue, the NHIAA must limit the number of spectators who are able to attend.”
Collings asked for community support and patience as a result of the changes. He said the association is trying to get its games livestreamed on the NFHS Network.
The University of New Hampshire, including UNH law school in Concord, will move all classes online for at least two weeks after spring break ends March 23.
An announcement from James Dean, UNH president, said face-to-face classes have been canceled in Durham, Concord and Manchester through April 3, during which time they will be “100% online or via other alternative (non-face-to-face) delivery.”
UNH Franklin Pierce School of Law “will otherwise remain open for normal business operation. “ during the period. Information about library hours and operations will follow.
All student meetings and events are canceled or will be moved online.
UNH is slated to resume in-person classes on April 6. “We will keep you informed if this changes,” Dean wrote.
“On-campus housing will be available on a restricted basis.” Sporting events will be held without public audience.
Plymouth State University students were on spring break this week, and classes will resume as scheduled Monday. But the university said courses will be available online for any student who chooses not to return for any reason, not just those who are quarantined.
At the University of New Hampshire, classes after next week’s Spring Break will be online for two weeks starting March 23, with on-campus housing available on a restricted bases. Those who travel to certain locations during the break will be required to quarantine off campus for 14 days before returning.
Keene State College also is suspending all face-to-face classes for two weeks starting March 23, after next week’s spring break. The college is also requiring students, staff and faculty to register their domestic and international travel plans with the college. A similar registration requirement is in place at the New Hampshire Technical Institute in Concord, part of the state community college system.
Dartmouth College is asking all undergraduate students to leave campus as soon as their final exams end Friday. When the spring term starts March 30, the first five weeks of classes will be taught remotely until May 1. With some exceptions, students are asked not to return during that time, and are being told to plan for being away the entire term.
Southern New Hampshire University in Manchester also is moving all instruction online from March 16 through March 29. And other private colleges, including New England College in Henniker, are preparing for the possibility of moving classes online.
Bishop Peter Libasci of the Diocese of Manchester announced Thursday that distribution of Holy Communion via the chalice will be suspended because of concern about spreading the Covid virus.
The announcement said that priests should “assure parishioners that if they are sick, they are not obliged to attend Mass and, in fact, should not attend, “ that “coffee socials and the like after Mass are to be suspended” and suspend the Sign of Peace, which involves parishioners shaking hands.
“In the event any of our schools close due to illness, each school will coordinate alternative instructional delivery tools with parents and students. The Catholic Schools Office has contracted with Google to provide Google Classroom, and all diocesan and parochial schools will hold mandatory training of all faculty and staff next week,” the statement said.
All criminal and civil jury trials in New Hampshire Superior Courts have been canceled for the next 30 days, beginning Friday, according to an announcement from Superior Court Chief Justice Tina Nadeau.
“Please do not appear at the courthouse for jury duty service,” Nadeau wrote. “If you are a plaintiff, defendant or the state in any trial scheduled for that period, your trial will be rescheduled and you will receive notice of the new trial date.”
People told to report for jury duty after April 14 should check the New Hampshire Judicial Branch website for updates before showing up.
“Extension of the present 30 day period will be reviewed on an ongoing basis,” Nadeau wrote.
The rule does not include district courts or the state’s Supreme Court.
New Hampshire announced a new presumptive case of COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, according to the Department of Health and Human Services announced. There are currently 6 positive cases in New Hampshire.
The adult male from Rockingham County traveled to multiple countries in Europe. The person self-isolated upon return from Europe and notified his healthcare provider after developing symptoms. Individuals withing his household contacts have also self-quarantined, state officials said.
Department of Health and Human Services officials investigated the man’s activities and determined the had been isolated at home since returning to New Hampshire except to seek healthcare. The department has not identified any person other than household contacts who may have been in close contact with the man while infectious.
211NH has been mobilized to handle Covid-19 related calls from New Hampshire residents. Residents with questions or concerns surrounding the virus outbreak can call 2-1-1.
211NH is New Hampshire’s statewide information and referral service operated by Granite United Way. It will replace the current Department of Public Health Hotline (603-271-4496).
The New Hampshire Department of Education is seeking three waivers from the federal government to provide meals to children if school gets disrupted in response to the Covid-19 virus.
The waivers from the United States Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Services would allow three things:
■An alternative or “grab and go” meals service that would limit contact between people;
■Allow schools not designated as high need to cover meals provided to students under the Emergency School Closure provision of the Summer Food Service Program or Seamless Summer Options; and
■Allow sponsors to provide reimbursable meals.
At this time, no New Hampshire schools have opted for long-term remote instruction. Should a school decide to shift to long-term remote instruction, the buildings would be closed, but students would continue their education remotely. Should the waivers be granted, schools could use their building to provide meals.
Should these waivers be granted, all meals would be free to students at all locations, and families would be able to bring meals home. The program would be similar to the Summer Meal Service Program, which provided meals to families at more than 100 locations last summer. Local school officials would determine where and how meals would be distributed locally.
With town and school district meetings in full swing, officials are wrestling with how to safely gather large numbers of people into one room for hours at a time.
In Hopkinton, board members, administrators and other officials met Wednesday to plan for school district annual meeting this Saturday in the high school gymnasium.
“It is our intent to hold the meeting as scheduled. We will continue to monitor any changes in guidance from both the NH Department of Health and Human Services and the CDC,” said a statement Thursday from Liz Durant, the school board chair, and Superintendent of Schools Steve Chamberlin.
The meeting will be streamed and can be watched for free, at ww.youtube.com/watch?v=pYcbRyk9VV8&feature=youtu.be.
However, all voting must take place in person.
Hand sanitizers will be available and ballot counters will have rubber gloves. “Space will be provided for social distancing in the gym and the Auditorium will be available as an additional venue. Speaking to an article and voting will have to take place in the gym,” the release said.
