Published: 8/6/2020 7:56:38 AM
By DAVID BROOKS
Monitor staff
The number of new cases of COVID-19 in New Hampshire appears to be leveling off again, but at a higher rate than last month.
The state reported 27 new positive test results Wednesday but the two-week average of newly confirmed cases stated at 35, where it has been for almost a week. On July 13, that average was down to 26 following two months of slow decline.
State epidemiologist Dr. Ben Chan called this pattern “an uptick” rather than a surge at a briefing Tuesday, and cautioned that continued mask-wearing and social distancing is needed.
Other data on the pandemic in New Hampshire has remained at low levels. New hospitalizations are down to barely more than one a day; only 13 deaths have been reported in the past two weeks, tying the lowest number since reporting began; and the rate of positive PCR tests remains well below 5%.
Since the pandemic began in march, 88% of the 6,719 confirmed cases have recovered, 10% have been hospitalized and 6% have died. Virtually all deaths have been people over age 60, usually in long-term care facilities such as nursing homes.