New Hampshire dentists can get back to filling a void on Monday

CONCORD - The governor on Friday announced New Hampshire dentistry can reopen on Monday along with hairdressers, barbershops and golf courses.

He also announced that anybody can get an antibody test to see if they had already contracted COVID-19. The tests are being performed by Clear Choice Medical Centers and can be requested at ccmdcenters.com.

State DHHS Commissioner Lori Shibinette noted that anyone taking the test should be aware that a positive doesn't mean "you're good to go."

"We don't know if it means you're immune for good," she said, adding the information gleaned will add to more understanding of the virus and could guide direction of how health officials move forward in light of an expected reoccurrence of the coronavirus during this fall and winter.

The closest Clear Choice care facilities are in Alton and Portsmouth.

Shibinette also announced 104 new confirmed cases on Friday bringing the cumulative total to 2,947. She said cumulative hospitalizations stand at 309 with 112 currently being treated. Only one of the new cases had to be hospitalized.

She also noted that the 10 percent hospitalization rate continues to drop, another good sign the pandemic curve is receding.

She said five of seven new deaths occurred in elderly congregate living settings.

They include a man and two women 60 or older, a man 60 or older from Merrimack County and a woman and two men from Rockingham County, all 60 or older.

Locally, current cases as of Friday were Rochester with 14, Barrington with 10, Dover with 41, Somersworth with seven, and Milton and Farmington with 1-4. Cities or towns with numbers less than five are not represented with an exact count.

Gov. Sununu also reminded New Hampshire residents that anyone 60 or older, and anyone of any age who has an underlying condition like hypertension, diabetes or heart disease can get a test at no cost. He urged residents to schedule one at nh.gov/covid19

In Maine, the total number of coronavirus cases rose to 1,374, with 194 hospitalizations and 63 deaths. Currently 44 residents are hospitalized.

Other NN COVID numbers

NH Persons with COVID-19 2,947

Recovered 1,210 (41%)

Deaths Attributed to COVID-19 121 (4%)

Total Current COVID-19 Cases 1,616

Persons Who Have Been Hospitalized for COVID-19 309 (10%)

Current Hospitalizations 112

Persons Being Monitored in NH (approximate point in time) 3,075