Officials keep close eye on potential for possible post-election virus surge

Rochester voters head to the Commjunity Center polls on Nov. 3 (Rochester Voice file photo)

CONCORD - Rochester's Emergency Operations Center Director said on Friday that safety officials are closely monitoring city businesses where residents tend to congregate like bars, restaurants and gyms but that thus far during the recent surge no COVID outbreaks in the city have been reported.

EOC Dicrector Mark Klose, who is also the city's fire chief, also said there have been no outbreaks reported due to the Nov. 3 elections, however, health experts say in many cases it can take up to 11 days after exposure for symptoms to occur.

Meanwhile, New Hampshire cases of coronavirus continued their surge with DHHS announcing a record daily high 462 new positive test results on Friday and a positivity rate of 1.6 percent, slighly lower than in recent days.

The new cases include 48 minors and 29 from Strafford County.

Local numbers continue to be unavailable on the DHHS website, which reported today that some of its online functions are down for maintenance.

Hospitalizations also saw their largest surge in the recent past, with seven new hospitalized for a total of 69. Total daily hospitalization in the first surge in May saw as many as 120 hospitalized.

DHHS also announced three additional deaths related to COVID-19, all among individuals over 60 years

COVID-19 Summary Report

NH Persons with COVID-19 13,929

Recovered 10,688 (77%)

Deaths Attributed to COVID-19 498 (4%)

Total Current COVID-19 Cases 2,743

Persons Who Have Been Hospitalized for COVID-19 811 (6%)

Current Hospitalizations 69

Persons Being Monitored in NH (approximate point in time) 5,775