| Covid-19 update | As of Jan 31 | As of Feb 7 |
|---|---|---|
| Total cases statewide | 276,856 | 284,180 |
| Total current infections statewide | 10,436 | 6,277 |
| Total deaths statewide | 2,209 | 2,260 |
| New cases | 11,716 (Jan. 25 to Jan. 31) | 7,324 (Feb. 1 to Feb. 7) |
| Current infections: Hillsborough County | 2,890 | 1,596 |
| Current infections: Merrimack County | 1,158 | 632 |
| Current infections: Rockingham County | 1,762 | 978 |
Covid-19 news
On Jan. 31, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration fully approved the Moderna vaccine against Covid-19 for people ages 18 and older, according to a press release. It becomes the second Covid vaccine to receive full authorization in the U.S. following the approval of the Pfizer vaccine back on Aug. 23 — both had previously only been approved under emergency authorization status. “While hundreds of millions of doses have been administered … we understand that for some individuals, FDA approval of this vaccine may instill additional confidence in making the decision to get vaccinated,” acting FDA commissioner Janet Woodcock said in a statement. The following day, Feb. 1, the FDA announced that a virtual advisory committee meeting will take place to discuss the possibility of emergency use authorization approval of the Pfizer vaccine for use in children ages 6 months to 4 years old. The meeting is scheduled for Feb. 15.
An initial round of 500,000 Covid test kits became available across all 67 New Hampshire Liquor & Wine Outlet stores as of Feb. 4, according to a press release from Gov. Chris Sununu’s office. Kits are sold for $11.29 apiece while supplies last. According to the release, there is no age requirement to purchase a test kit, and anyone can buy as many as they would like. As the state purchases and acquires more test kits, the NHLC plans to restock shelves at each store.
State health officials announced 779 new positive Covid test results on Feb. 7. The state averaged 804 new cases per day over the most recent seven-day period, a 40-percent decrease compared to the previous seven-day average. As of Feb. 7 there were 6,277 active cases, down from more than 10,000 on Jan. 31, and 206 active hospitalizations.
High-speed internet
Residents who can’t afford high-speed internet services may be eligible for discounts through the federal Affordable Connectivity Program, created to help ensure that people who struggle financially can stay connected to family members, friends, health care providers and work. According to a press release, applications are now being accepted for the program, and eligible recipients could get a discount of up to $30 per month for high-speed internet services, as well as a one-time discount of up to $100 for a laptop, desktop computer or tablet purchased through a participating provider. “The pandemic has shown us that access to high-speed internet is not a luxury; it is a necessity,” Todd Fahey, State Director of AARP NH, said in the release. New Hampshire residents who have a household income of less than $25,760 for a single-family household or $43,540 for a couple, or who qualify for the Lifeline program or Medicaid or receive SNAP or WIC benefits, Federal Public Housing Assistance or Veterans and Survivors Pension Benefits may be eligible. This program modifies and extends the temporary Emergency Broadband Benefit program in effect last year as part of Covid-19 relief, the release said.
Housing Commission
Manchester’s Housing Commission nominees have been approved by Mayor Joyce Craig. According to a press release, the creation of a Housing Commission follows recommendations made by the Mayor’s Affordable Housing Task Force last year. “We’ve already begun to make significant progress on the Affordable Housing Taskforce recommendations, moving forward with changes to zoning ordinances, developments on City-owned land, adding additional resources to the Affordable Housing Trust Fund, and more,” Craig said in the release. “The inaugural members of Manchester’s Housing Commission are uniquely qualified to continue this work. They bring a range of perspectives and backgrounds from housing advocacy, to development, to housing and homelessness service providers.” The commission will be responsible for following up on the task force’s recommendations, the release said. Founding members of the commission are Jean Noel Mugabo, Zachery Palmer, Peter Capano, Jessica Margeson and Chris Wellington, along with alternate members Joseph Wichert and Kate Marquis.
Community grants
Manchester’s Planning and Community Development Department has launched a new Community Event and Activation Grant program, part of the American Rescue Plan Act recommendations approved by the Board of Mayor and Aldermen in 2021. According to a press release, the grant program provides up to $10,000 to support and increase the number of community-based projects and events to help the Queen City recover from the negative effects of the pandemic. Examples of eligible projects include public art installations, outdoor seating or bike racks and events such as concerts in the park, neighborhood block parties or sporting events, the release said, and applicants can apply for up to $10,000 per grant but are required to provide a 25 percent match for each request. The first round application is due March 31.
Police cameras
Grant funds are now available to local and county law enforcement agencies to purchase body-worn and dashboard cameras. According to a press release, the fund is a key recommendation of the Governor’s Commission on Law Enforcement Accountability, Community and Transparency that encouraged all law enforcement agencies to acquire and use these cameras. Agencies can be reimbursed up to $50,000 for the purchase of body-worn or dashboard cameras, software maintenance for the cameras and maintenance and storage of data related to the cameras, the release said. “The safety of all law enforcement officers across the state is imperative,” New Hampshire Department of Safety Commissioner Robert Quinn said in the release. “These grant funds will help departments put important equipment in place to protect officers who put their lives at risk every day and enhance trust with the public they serve.”
Housing a priority
Stay Work Play’s biggest legislative focus area for the 2022 legislative session is housing affordability. According to a press release, half of the 18 bills that the organization — a nonpartisan advocacy program focused on public policy issues that affect whether young people will choose to live in the Granite State — have taken a position on this year are aimed at making the Granite State a more affordable place to live. Other focus areas include child care, outdoor recreation, and diversity, equity and inclusion. “Given the effect of public policy on the attraction and retention of young Granite Staters, having Stay Work Play’s voice in Concord is important,” Rep. Joe Alexander of Goffstown said in the release. Stay Work Play Executive Director Will Stewart will be involved in direct lobbying at the Statehouse, and the Stay Work Play Advocacy Network, with nearly 70 young people from across the state, will reach out to the legislators who represent them to speak on behalf of Stay Work Play’s policy positions, the release said.
The annual New England Pond Hockey Classic on Lake Winnipesaukee in Meredith was canceled last weekend due to a storm and unsafe ice conditions, according to the event website. More than 500 games were set to be played by more than 275 teams across 26 rinks Feb. 4 through Feb. 6, the website said.
Skaters in kilts took to the ice at White Park in Concord on Feb. 6 as New Hampshire Scot hosted the Great Kilt Skate, according to a report from WMUR. “It looks like there are probably 30 people here skating in tartans right now, and more keep coming through, so we’re happy with that, we’re excited,” NH Scot Executive Director Terry Wiltse told WMUR, noting that it was only one of two Great Kilt Skates in the U.S. this year — the other being in New York City.
On Feb. 4, students from Bow High School met virtually with students from Pedro Gomes High School in Cabo Verde. According to a press release, the meeting was hosted by members of the United States Embassy staff, as well as Gov. Chris Sununu and soldiers from New Hampshire’s National Guard, who traveled to the Republic of Cabo Verde for a signing ceremony to officially establish a State Partnership under the National Guard Bureau’s State Partnership Program. Pedro Gomes High School has agreed to partner with Bow High School as part of the effort to forge a connection between citizens while strengthening military partnerships, the release said.
