First case of coronavirus confirmed in Strafford County

CONCORD - The first confirmed case of COVID-19 in Strafford County was reported on Saturday.

In all the state's DHHS announced 10 new positive test results, which brings the total diagnosed to 65 cases in New Hampshire.

The new cases are all adults, including five males and five females.

The county or city of residence are Rockingham (5), Grafton (1), Manchester (1), Hillsborough County other than Manchester and Nashua (1), Merrimack (1), and Strafford (1).

NH DHHS graphic

Six of the cases have either had travel to domestic or international locations or have had close contact with a person with a confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis. Four of the cases, including in Rockingham and Hillsborough counties, have no identified risk factors, indicating additional community-based transmission of COVID-19 in New Hampshire, the state DHHS said on their website's update page.

It was neither released whether the unidentified Strafford County resident who contracted the virus did so through travel or community spread nor what city or town they were from.

Meanwhile, Gov. Chris Sununu on Saturday enacted Emergency Order 10, which requires all grocers and retail stores to temporarily transition to use of single use paper or plastic bags.

The order applies to all grocery stores, supermarkets, convenience stores, retail stores selling any product, and any other similar establishment engaged in in-store sale of retail products to customers.
"Our grocery store workers are on the front lines of COVID-19, working around the clock to keep New Hampshire families fed," said the governor. "With identified community transmission, it is important that shoppers keep their reusable bags at home given the potential risk to baggers, grocers and customers."

More news came on the supermarket front on Saturday with Market Basket announcing on their website that stores will now close at 7 p.m. As usual they will open at 7 a.m. except for Tuesday through Thursday when special seniors only hours are in effect from 5:30-7 a.m. exclusively for shoppers over the age of 60.