About Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
Coronaviruses are a group of viruses that cause respiratory tract infections. Some viruses cause mild colds, while others are more serious. This new form of coronavirus was first detected in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China and the disease it causes has been named Coronavirus Disease 2019 or COVID-19.
Visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for more information on the symptoms, transmission and prevention of COVID-19:
Are you a New Hampshire resident with questions on COVID-19?
Please call 2-1-1 to learn more about COVID-19 and your potential risk. Phone dial: 1-866-444-4211. TTY: 603-634-3388
Symptomatic people should call their healthcare provider for a risk assessment. Please do not direct your symptomatic patients to call NH Division of Public Health Services. Providers should use the updated testing algorithm in the DHHS HAN #9 to guide testing decisions. If the provider establishes that testing is warranted for COVID-19, please contact NH DPHS at (603) 271-4496 (after-hours 603-271-5300).
- Most people with mild symptoms of COVID-19 can be managed at home without testing, much as providers can empirically manage patients who might have flu.
- Use the updated guidance for which symptomatic persons should be prioritized for COVID-19 testing – see HAN #9
- Asymptomatic persons should not be tested for COVID-19, regardless of exposure, because it depletes PPE and testing resources and does not change the need for an exposed person to self-quarantine.
- All asymptomatic close contacts of a person with COVID-19 or persons who are being presumptively managed as COVID-19 (without testing) should stay home (self-quarantine) for 14 days from the last day of exposure.
- If testing is warranted, sample collection for COVID-19 testing should be performed with recommended personal protective equipment (PPE), including gloves, gown, respiratory protection (at least as protective as a fit-tested N95 respirator), and eye protection.
Everyone can assist in preventing the spread of any infectious disease, including COVID-19, by practicing basic prevention measures such as the following:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth
- Limit hand shaking and hugging
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick
- Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces, including work areas
- Cough and sneeze into a tissue and throw that tissue away
- Consider limiting your attendance at large gatherings
For more information, visit https://www.nh.gov/covid19/
