COVID-19 Updates

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From Alice Ely, Executive Director of Public Health Council of the Upper Valley

Medical and Non-Medical Volunteers Needed

If you know folks who want to volunteer to help with COVID-19 on the medical response side, please have VT volunteers register on www.OnCallforVT.org and NH volunteers register https://www.nhresponds.org/ and click "register now." These systems feed volunteers into the Medical Reserve Corps and other response teams. Thank you!

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HANOVER FIRE DEPARTMENT - COVID-19 Home Care Information

HELP PREVENT  THE SPREAD: If you are sick with COVID-19  or think you might have it, follow the steps below to help protect other people in your home and community.

STAY HOME except to get medical care

• Stay home: People who are mildly ill with COVID-19 are able to recover well at home. Do not leave, except to get medical care. Do not visit public areas. Avoid public transportation. Have a caregiver shop for you if needed.

• Get in touch with your doctor: Call your doctor to check in so they can help you monitor symptoms and advise you on how to move forward, including determining if you need to be tested.

• Stay informed: Keep in touch with your doctor as they recommend. Use resources listed on the back of the page to keep informed.

MONITOR your symptoms

• Seek medical attention if needed, but call first

•  If  you get worse: Call your doctor. If you're unable to reach them, call the DHMC COVID hotline, 1-603-650-1818.

•   Before going to the doctor's office or emergency room, call ahead and tell them your symptoms. They will tell you what to do.  Alerting them that you have or may have COVID-19 allows them to plan for your arrival to protect providers and other patients.  Wear  a  facemask  before entering a doctors office or public space.

• Emergency Warning Signs: Severe difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, persistent chest pain or pressure, new onset of confusion or altered mental status, bluish lips or face. *Not all inclusive list, contact your PCP

•   If it's an emergency, call 911: Be sure to alert the dispatcher that you have or may have COVID-19. Expect EMS or Fire personnel to arrive in full PPE including mask,  goggles,  gloves,  and  suits.     If possible, wear a mask and meet them outside.     EMS will evaluate your symptoms and intervene as needed. This may include treatment, transport, or the instruction to stay home and contact your primary care or other resource.

ISOLATE from others

• Stay away from others: As much as possible, you  should stay in a  specific "sick room" and away from other people in your home. Use a separate bathroom, if available.   Visitors, other than caregivers, are not recommended.

• Caregivers should wear masks when entering the room of a sick person.

•  Limit contact with  pets & animals: You should restrict contact with pets and other animals, just like you would around other people. Your pet can transfer the virus on its fur just like other household surfaces.

•  When possible, have another member of your household care for your animals. If you must care for your pet while you are sick, wash your hands before and after you interact with them.

•Wear a  mask:  You should wear a facemask when you are around other people and before you enter a healthcare provider's office.

CLEAN your hands often

• Wash hands with soap and water: Soap and water is the best option for cleaning your hands. Wash often and for at least 20 seconds. This is especially important after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing; going to the bathroom; and before eating or preparing food.

• Hand sanitizer: If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol, covering all surfaces of your hands and rubbing them together until they feel dry.

• Avoid  touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unclean hands.

Avoid sharing household items

• Do not  share:  Do not share dishes, drinking glasses, cups, eating utensils, towels, or bedding with other people in your home. Wash them thoroughly after use.

Cover your coughs and sneezes

• Cover: Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.

• Dispose: Throw tissues in a lined trash can.

• Wash hands:  Immediately wash your hands with soap and water or use hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.

Clean  "high-touch" surfaces everyday

•  Routinely clean and disinfect  surfaces: Clean phones, remote controls, counters, tabletops, doorknobs, bathroom fixtures, countertops, toilets, keyboards, tablets, and bedside tables in your "sick room" and bathroom. Let someone else clean and disinfect surfaces in common areas, but not your bedroom or bathroom.

•    If a caregiver or other person  needs to clean and disinfect a sick person's bedroom or bathroom, they should do so on          an as-needed basis.   The caregiver/other person should wear a mask and wait as long as possible after the sick person has used the bathroom.

•  Clean and disinfect areas that may have blood, stool, or body fluids on them.

• Household cleaners and disinfectants: Clean the area or item with soap and water or another detergent if it is visibly dirty. Then, use a household disinfectant.

•   Be sure to follow the instructions on the label to ensure safe and effective use of the product. Many products recommend keeping the surface wet for several minutes to ensure germs are killed. Many also recommend wearing gloves and ensuring good ventilation when using.

• Most EPA-registered household disinfectants should be effective.

When  to discontinue home isolation

Do Not  discontinue isolation without consulting your primary care provider.

People with COVID-19 may be able to discontinue isolation after consultation with your primary care provider if the following conditions have been met:

•  At least 7 days have passed since your first symptoms appeared

• You have had no fever for at least 72 hours (3 days full days) without using any medication that reduces fever

•  Your other symptoms have resolved

RESOURCES

• Primary  Care  Provider:  Your primary care provider should be your main resource for health concerns. They will have instructions according to the latest CDC guidelines and can help you monitor symptoms.

• DHMC COVID Hotline: 1-603-650-1818 Staffed 6am-midnight.  Call if you are unable to contact your PCP or if you don't have a primary provider.

• NH 211: Dial 211 or visit 211NH.org for access to general COVID-19 related information including other health and financial resources.

• CDC.gov/COVID19:  Visit for access to nation-wide information about COVID-19 including more details on home care.

• HanoverNH.org: Visit the Hanover, NH website for regular updates regarding the COVID-19 outbreak and its regional effects.

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The Hanover Fire Department will not be issuing in-person burn permits until further notice.  Information regarding online burn permits can be found *HERE*

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Parking Garage located at 7 Lebanon Street will be closed to the public as of midnight, March 18, 2020.

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Limited Access to Town Hall

Effective Wednesday, March 18, 2020, Town Hall will be closed to the public and in-person transactions will be suspended, with limited exceptions, until further notice. We urge all of our citizens to take advantage of the Town’s online services to request an outdoor activities permit, renew their motor vehicle registration, make tax and utility payments, request certified copies of vital records, etc. We will also have drop boxes available for planning, zoning and code items, and other incoming documents. Our Town Hall employees will be working both remotely and on-site, and we will be available to answer resident questions via email (townclerk@hanovernh.org) or by phone (640-3200). As a last resort, we will be scheduling appointments in Town Hall with the appropriate Town staff to complete your transaction should there need to be an in-person exchange of documents or information.

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COVID-19 Update 3/15/2019 - Message from Town Manager

After announcing a State of Emergency in our State this past Friday, the Governor has announced earlier today that New Hampshire schools will be closed until April 3, 2020, and perhaps beyond. Your municipal government has an important role in supporting this and other preventive measures. I have met with department heads, and we have made the following decisions;

Fire and Police first responders will continue to provide full services and are being briefed routinely with the most up-to-date information for safe and complete response.

The Howe Library has suspended its programming and will be open tomorrow, Monday, March 16, for limited public services. We expect to close the Howe Library to public access over the next few days.

The RW Black Community and Senior Center has suspended all of its recreational and other programming. The Senior Center portion of the building is closed in its entirety, and the Out-of-School Time after school programs are cancelled. There will be limited other public access.

Town Hall will be open for limited business from 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.; residents are encouraged to transact their business online when/wherever possible and to inquire (email townclerk@hanovernh.org or call 603-640-3200) if they are unsure whether there are online options available to them.

Essential Public Works functions will continue.

Many neighborhood email listings have been activated to help with residents who may be at risk and isolated. Your community needs to work together to minimize the impact of this coronavirus pandemic, and we appreciate your important role in this important endeavor.

/ Julia Griffin

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FINGERPRINT SERVICES SUSPENDED

The Hanover Police Department is suspending fingerprint services for background checks effective immediately until March 31, 2020. 

Following the recommendations for social distancing and concerns for the safety of our staff and the general public regarding COVID-19, we have suspended this service. As you know, this situation is fluid and we will continue to monitor it and make the necessary adjustments to reinstate or extend the suspension.

During this time, the State of NH Division of State Police maintains seven applicant livescan sites providing fingerprint services in Concord, Manchester, Dover, Keene, Tamworth, Twin Mountain and Salem, New Hampshire.  It is recommended that you call to make an appointment (603) 223-3867 and check on the availability of services.

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On March 12, 2020, 211NH was been mobilized to handle all COVID-19 related calls from New Hampshire residents with questions or concerns surrounding the COVID-19 outbreak.  If you are a NH resident and do not have a primary care provider, please call 2-1-1.  211NH is New Hampshire’s statewide, comprehensive, information and referral service operated by Granite United Way.

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Please click on link below to access the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Center for Disease Control and Preventation Risk Assessment and Public Health Management Decision Making information:

Covid-19 Risk Assessment and Public Health Management Decision Making

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TOWN OF HANOVER COVID-19 UPDATE - Posted March 9, 2020 at 3:46 p.m.

The Town of Hanover works very closely with the City of Lebanon and 10 other communities in the Upper Valley as one of the State’s predetermined Public Health Regions. On Wednesday, March 4th the City of Lebanon and the Town of Hanover initiated a Multi-Agency Communications Entity (MACE) as part of our Regional Public Health Plan. Staff in the MACE from Lebanon and Hanover are working to maintain a comprehensive webpage on the City of Lebanon website entitled “COVID-19 City of Lebanon Response Plan”. We urge Hanover citizens to continue to monitor this page on the City of Lebanon’s website for the most comprehensive regional information.
https://lebanonnh.gov/1350/COVID-19
State of New Hampshire Website: Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Public Health Services Information Page:
https://www.dhhs.nh.gov/dphs/cdcs/2019-ncov.htm

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COVID - 19 UPDATE - MARCH 8, 2020 12:35 p.m.

The Town of Hanover and City of Lebanon are working in conjunction to bring the most up to date information to our residents.   Please note information posted on this page may, at times, reference the City of Lebanon instead of the Town of Hanover.

The City of Lebanon is committed to communicating any new information it receives from DHHS relating to COVID-19 as quickly as we can. Here is what we know:

On Sunday, March 8, 2020, City of Lebanon officials were alerted by DHHS that another case of COVID-19 has been identified in the Grafton County. An individual who attended a worship service at Hope Bible Fellowship in West Lebanon has tested positive for COVID-19.

Recommendations from DHHS regarding this new development are as follows:

“Anyone who attended the March 1 social or service and has developed symptoms of fever or respiratory illness should immediately stay home and distance themselves from household members and contact the Bureau of Infectious Disease Control at 603-271-4496 (after-hours: 603-271-5300).”

DHHS has stated there were approximately 60 people in attendance at the March 1st service.

In addition to this incident, the DHHS has released the following information:

150 people are currently being monitored by DHHS

2 cases have been confirmed by the CDC

2 additional cases are presumed presumptive by DHHS

We are currently awaiting test results from other persons who may have been exposed. It takes approximately 24 hours from the time of testing for results to be received.

At this time, the City of Lebanon continues to work collaboratively with DHHS to support ongoing COVID-19 testing.

During this time of uncertainty, we ask that our community continue to follow CDC guidance regarding practicing responsible social distancing and personal prevention measures as well as the following recommendations for People at Serious Risk for COVID-19:

If you are at higher risk of getting very sick from COVID-19, you should:

Stock up on supplies

Take everyday precautions to keep space between yourself and others

When you go out in public, keep away from others who are sick, limit close contact and wash your hands often.

Avoid crowds as much as possible

During a COVID-19 outbreak an outbreak in your community, stay home as much as possible

The City of Lebanon will continue to post updates on our LebanonNH.gov/COVID19 page as we receive them.

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COVID-19 - TOWN OF HANOVER PLANNED RESPONSE

Posted on: March 4, 2020 - 12:30pm

What Is Being Done?

The Town of Hanover is actively engaged with the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and our local and regional partners with regards to the State and local response to the COVID-19 virus.

DHHS has a very robust website that contains the most updated information on COVID-19 which can be accessed here: dhhs.nh.gov/dphs/cdcs/2019-ncov.htm.

DHHS is in close contact with the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and maintains links on its website to the CDC’s most recent information on the virus which can also be found here: cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html.

While the Town is closely monitoring the progression of the virus and is planning for the potential spread in the Upper Valley region, we are asking everyone to concentrate their efforts on PREVENTION. There is currently no vaccine to prevent COVID-19.

Prevention Measures

Prevention measures that are accessible to almost everyone and should be practiced regularly include:

Proper Hand Washing (If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol)

• Covering Your Cough
• Avoiding Touching your Eyes, Nose, and Mouth
• Avoiding Close Contact with Anyone Who is Sick (Maintaining a minimum distance of 6 feet)
• Staying Home When You Are Sick
• Regularly Cleaning and Disinfecting Frequently Touched Objects and Surfaces
• Following the *CDC’s Guidance for Travel.  In addition, please monitor CDC sitese that identify locations with COVID-19 for both foreign and domestic travel to determine appropiate travel times.
• Wipe down contact surfaces, door knobs, telephones and key pads with any of the recommended products identified in this document:  Interim Environmental Cleaning and Disinfection

*DHHS has put together a Self-Observation Guide for anyone returning to the United States from a country other than China with a travel advisory and strongly recommends you protect yourself and others by following the steps outlined in the Observation Guide.

Symptoms of COVID-19

Symptoms of COVID-19 may appear 2-14 days after exposure and include

• Fever
• Cough
• Shortness of Breath

If you develop symptoms AND have been in close contact with a person known to have COVID-19 or if you have recently traveled from an area with widespread or ongoing community spread of COVID-19 contact your healthcare professional to see if you should be tested.

Frequently Asked Questions

The CDC has compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions which can be found at cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/faq.html

Stay Informed

Outbreaks involving COVID-19 continue to evolve quickly. It is important that you stay informed of new information as it becomes available. The links to DHHS and the CDC will remain active on this page and any new information available to the Town will be shared here. To receive updates as they are posted to this page, please subscribe to our Town of Hanover E-News at hanovernh.org/subscribe.

Safety Response Plan

Should an outbreak occur that requires a large public safety response, the Emergency Operations Center is open and information will be provided on what is being requested of the public.

DARTMOUTH NEWS - COVID-19: CORONAVIRUS INFORMATION click **HERE

Dartmouth Hitchcock COVID-19 Information Hotline

603-650-1818

Please contact your State Department of Health if you experience fever, cough or shortness of breath.

New Hampshire Department of Health: 603-271-4496; After Hours: 603-271-5300

Vermont Department of Health: 802-863-7240

COVID-19 Testing

We are not providing this testing in our Emergency Department or in our D-H based clinics.  All testing being performed at D-H is being done in collaboration with the NH Department of Health and Human Services on a case-by-case basis.

COVID-19 testing is being conducted only in coordination with the NH Department of Health and Human Services or the Vermont Department of Health.