Weekly Update - April 30, 2021 - Nashua, NH
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Weekly Update - April 30, 2021
Dear Community Partners,
As the chief public health strategist for the Greater Nashua Public Health Region (GNPHR), the Nashua Division
of Public Health and Community Services (DPHCS) will continue to send weekly updates to inform our
community on the current status of the rapidly evolving COVID-19 situation, the response efforts by the City of
Nashua and Greater Nashua Public Health Network (GNPHN), and any additional updates related to the health
and safety of our community.
COVID-19 Data Update
We continue to experience substantial community level transmission of COVID-19 in the City of Nashua.
Substantial community level transmission is determined by three metrics established in conjunction
with the State of New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and the Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). When any one of the metrics exceeds the set threshold, a
community is designated as "RED" or substantial. Currently we are exceeding the thresholds set on one
metric: new infections per 100k.
Total Cases: All confirmed or probable
COVID-19 cases, either active or recovered.
Active Case: A case that is currently sick or
in isolation due to COVID-19.
New Infections per 100k: Number of new
cases within 14 days standardized by
population size to compare across groups.
This shows how quickly disease is occurring
in the community or the incidence of
disease.
7-Day Total Test Positivity Rate: Number
of PCR and Antigen tests that are positive
compared to the number of PCR and
Antigen tests that are negative over the
past 7 days. A rising positivity rate
indicates a rising number of infections in
the community.
Public health officials are strongly urging
everyone to stay home if you are sick
(except to get medical care), avoid social
gatherings, maintain physical distancing of
six feet or more, wear face coverings, and
wash your hands frequently.
Johnson & Johnson Vaccine Pause Lifted
The CDC and FDA have lifted the national “pause” on use of the Johnson and Johnson (J&J) Janssen
COVID-19 vaccine and recommend that use of this vaccine resume for people 18 years of age and older.
The Nashua DPHCS will being using our allocated Janssen vaccine soon!
There are no new recommended restrictions on use based on age, gender, or risk factors; however,
clinicians need to be aware of the potential very low risk of thrombosis and thrombocytopenia
syndrome (TTS) and appropriately inform vaccine recipients (see below).
The CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) met on Friday, April 23rd to review
updated information about cases of TTS after the J&J Janssen vaccine.
Meeting information, including presented data, can be found online here.
Experts believe that the pathogenesis of TTS is similar to autoimmune heparin induced
thrombocytopenia (HIT), but the exact mechanism of the syndrome after receipt of the J&J
Janssen vaccine is not yet known.
The risk of TTS after receipt of the J&J Janssen vaccine is believed to be very low, and ongoing
investigation continues.
No cases of TTS have been identified after receipt of the Moderna or Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines.
As of April 21st, there have been 15 confirmed TTS cases out of 7.98 million J&J Janssen COVID-19
vaccine doses administered (1.9 cases per million people vaccinated). All have been female, the
majority of which were aged 18-49 years of age (n=13); 3 people have died.
The rate of TTS in females aged 18-49 years of age is 7.0 cases per million vaccinated
Median age is 37 years (range 18-59)
Median time to symptom onset is 8 days (range 6-15 days)
No cases have occurred in pregnant or post-partum women
12 cases of TTS involved cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST)
Other contributing risk factors for TTS after J&J Janssen vaccination are not known
Clinicians can resume use of the J&J Janssen vaccine, but should inform patients about the potential,
but very low, risk of TTS after receipt of the J&J Janssen vaccine. The FDA and CDC are updating
guidance to assist with informing vaccine recipients about potential risks.
In patients with suspected TTS after receipt of the J&J Janssen vaccine, consultation with a
hematologist is strongly recommended to assist with diagnosis and management. The American Society
of Hematology has developed guidance for assessment and management of TTS identified after receipt
of the J&J Janssen vaccine. Health care providers are asked to report adverse events, including
suspected cases of TTS, to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS).
If you received the J & J Janssen vaccine, for three weeks after receiving the vaccine you should be on
the lookout for rare, but possible symptoms of a blood clot with low platelets. These include:
Severe or persistent headaches or blurred vision
Shortness of breath
Chest pain
Leg swelling
Persistent abdominal pain
Easy bruising or tiny blood spots under the skin beyond the injection site
Seek medical care right away if you develop one or more of these symptoms.
Fact Sheet: Recipients Fact Sheet: Providers
If your organization interested in hosting a closed vaccination clinic for staff and clients
OR your organization anticipates having extra vaccine:
email Patty Crooker at crookerp@nashuanh.gov for further discussion.
DPHCS Hosts Second Dose Vaccination Clinic for Teachers & Child Care Staff
This weekend, we administered 2,406 second
doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine to
teachers, school staff, child care providers,
youth camp staff, and individuals 50 years of
age or older in Greater Nashua.
We are immensely grateful to this weekend’s
clinic staff, which includes a large number of
volunteers. Thank you Fidelity Investments
for the continued partnership in the efforts to
vaccinate our community!
Even after vaccination, we want to remind
our community that it is important for
everyone to continue to be vigilant and
practice public health recommendations to
ensure maximum protection against COVID-
19.
We Still Need to Make Good Choices
Although COVID-19 mitigation
strategies are being lifted on a state
level here in New Hampshire (NH),
we still need to continue to be
vigilant.
Until enough people in the Greater
Nashua Region and State of NH are
fully vaccinated against COVID-19
(two weeks past their last dose), we
need our community to understand
that people still need to take
precautions when they are around
people they do not live with.
As of Monday, April 26th, 33,614
(38%) of individuals in Nashua have
been vaccinated with one or more
doses and 17,938 (20%) are fully
vaccinated.
This is a reminder that 80% of the
Nashua population are still not fully
vaccinated against COVID-19.
Even with vaccination, we know that some people who are fully vaccinated may still get sick, this is
because no vaccine is 100% effective. We also know that there are multiple variants of the virus that
causes COVID-19 circulating globally and within the United States (US).
In the US, there are currently five variants of concern, including:
B.1.1.7: Initially identified in the UK and first identified in the US in December 2020.
B.1.351: Initially identified in South America and first identified in the US in January 2021.
P.1: Initially identified in travelers from Brazil, who were tested during routine screening at an
airport in Japan, and first detected in the US in January 2021.
B.1.427 and B.1.429: Initially identified in California in February 2021 and were classified as
variants of concern in March 2021.
These variants seem to spread more easily and quickly than other variants, which may lead to more
cases of COVID-19. An increase in the number of cases will put more strain on health care resources,
lead to more hospitalizations, and potentially more deaths. So far, studies suggest that antibodies
generated through vaccination with currently authorized vaccines recognize these variants. This is
being closely investigated and more studies are underway.
While public health officials continue to study these variants, we want our community to understand
that rigorous and increased compliance with public health mitigation strategies, such as vaccination,
physical distancing, use of masks, hand hygiene, and isolation and quarantine, is essential to limit the
spread of the virus that causes COVID-19 and protect public health.
2021 Prescription Drug Take Back Day was a Success!
On April 24th, Greater Nashua participated in in the
Drug Enforcement Agency’s (DEA) 20th Annual
National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day.
This event provided the public an opportunity to
prevent misuse and theft by eliminating expired,
unused, and unwanted prescription drugs from our
community. Check out the totals below - way to go!
City of Nashua - # of Boxes Filled: 13
City of Nashua - Weight in Pounds: 387.1
Greater Nashua - # of Boxes Filled: 62
Greater Nashua - Weight in Pounds: 1830.3
Cinco De Mayo - Safer at Home
Cinco de Mayo is an annual celebration held on May
5th. The date commemorates the Mexican Army's
victory over the French Empire at the Battle of Puebla,
on May 5, 1862, under the leadership of General
Ignacio Zaragoza. The catchy name and associated
celebrations made it's way into American culture and
celebrations about two decades ago.
The Mexican culture is rich in music, colorful clothing,
and celebration, so let's honor our neighbors to the
south with healthy celebrations in recognition of this
holiday.
Cook together as a family! Enjoy some Mexican favorites such as burritos, enchiladas, tacos, and
quesadillas. Check out this enchilada sauce recipe - you will never buy canned again! Love
guacamole? Buy your avocados now so they are ready for your cooking fest!
Order take-out from your favorite local Mexican restaurant. Greater Nashua has a lot to offer!
Create your own Mexican music playlist. Try YouTube or Spotify for suggestions.
Decorate your kitchen with colorful streamers, pom-poms, and tassels. Make it a family activity.
Have kids? It is a great time to open up a piñata outside.
If you do decide to visit a bar or restaurant, dine outside if possible and drink responsibly.
If you are preparing a meal at home, keep it food safe! After food is cooked, hot foods should be kept
at 140˚F or warmer, and cold foods at 40˚F or colder to prevent foodborne illness. Learn more about
preventing foodborne illness on the CDC's website.
Staying Safe this Prom Season
It’s almost that time of year! Prom can be a highlight
of the high school experience. It is an important and
exciting milestone for a young person.
In preparation for this exciting event, parents and
students need to understand the law, the risks
associated with underage drinking and drug use, and
make plans to celebrate safely.
The Nashua DPHCS wants to share the following tips to
help students make smart decisions to look and feel great, stress less, and stay protected.
What can students do to look and feel great?
There are many ways students can look and feel great without harming their health.
Indoor tanning is dangerous on skin and should be avoided.
Trying any new hair color or cosmetic product can cause a reaction. Always test new products in
a small area first, stop using the product if problems develop, and follow all label directions.
While high heels may be in style, they can increase your chance of falling. Prevent injury and
wear comfortable shoes that won’t affect how you walk or dance.
What can you do to stress less and protect yourself?
Prom is an important night, and it can be stressful for both students and parents.
Leading up to prom night, plan ahead for safety. Tell your loved ones and family members what
your plans are for the day and evening. Any change of plans during should be communicated
back home.
Make a plan to agree with friends to check on each other throughout the evening.
Some people feel pressured to drink, smoke, use drugs, or have sex on prom night. However,
underage drinking and drug use is against the law. Alcohol and drugs impair judgment and may
result in being harmed or harming others. Drinking is also responsible for over 4,500 deaths
among young people each year and is associated with sexually transmitted diseases and
unintended pregnancy. Just because your friends do something, doesn’t make it a good idea or
right for you. It’s OK to say no.
Teen drivers ages 16 to 19 years old are four times more likely than older drivers to crash. You
should never drink and drive, never get in a car with a driver who has been drinking, and always
wear a seat belt. If you are put into an unsafe situation, call someone you trust for a ride home.
Asking for a ride will bring you home safely without judgement or punishment.
Dating abuse is a very real issue for many young people. This abuse can be verbal, emotional,
physical, or sexual. Respect yourself and others. Call 911 if you or someone you know is being
abused.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, prom may look a little different this year. To celebrate safely, students
are encouraged to:
Review and follow all COVID-19 safety protocols at their schools event. This guidance is created
to protect the health and safety of you, your peers, and your community.
Quarantine for 10 days leading up to the event and get tested for COVID-19 a few days prior to
the event.
On the day of prom, anyone who is experiencing symptoms of respiratory illness or has been in
contact with someone with COVID-19 in the past 10 days.
If you develop symptoms after the event, it is important to get tested for COVID-19.
While attending prom, wear a mask over your mouth and nose at all times, except when you are
eating or drinking, to protect yourself and individuals around you. Do your best to stay six feet
away from others at all times throughout the night. If the dance floor looks crowded, find
another activity and wait until there are less people before you join. Make sure to wash your
hands often, especially before and after eating.
Another layer of protection before prom is to get vaccinated against COVID-19. Currently in New
Hampshire, vaccines are available to all residents 16 years of age and older. Residents who are 16 and
17 years old are only authorized to receive the Pfizer vaccine, which requires two doses, three weeks
apart, for full vaccination. Schedule an appointment before prom at vaccines.nh.gov.
Follow these tips for a safe, healthy, and fun prom!
Attention Parents & Caregivers: Check out these great upcoming events!
EQUITY CORNER:
Nashua Local Community Raising Funds for Medical Equipment in India
The COVID-19 pandemic has seen record-level surge in India recently. The nation is seeing
approximately 350,000 cases daily with thousands of deaths a day.
Currently, the country is facing extreme shortages of medical equipment such as hospital beds,
ventilators, and oxygen. To help with this devastation, local cultural groups in New Hampshire are
banding together to spread the word and raise funds.
In New Hampshire, roughly 50% of the Indian American population reside in Nashua. The India
Association of New Hampshire together with the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin
and Sewa International are collecting donations to purchase oxygen concentrators, ventilators,
providing telemedicine services, and shipping care packages for families suffering with COVID-19. “It’s a
global pandemic, so if we don’t take care, we are one family, it’s going to come back here, another
surge is going to happen here,” said New Hampshire State Representative Latha Mangipudi.
Click the links above or image below to donate essential supplies!
Heavy Metals in Baby Food - How You Can Protect Your Children
Recent news about heavy metals found in baby food can leave parents with a lot of questions. Below is
some information from the American Academy of Pediatrics about the risk of toxic metal exposure to
children and how to help minimize it.
Q: Can heavy metals in baby food harm my baby?
A: The low levels of heavy metals found in baby foods likely are a relatively small part of a child's
overall toxic metal exposure risk. However, exposure should be minimized. Toxic metal exposure can
be harmful to the developing brain. It's been linked with problems with learning, cognition, and
behavior.
Q: How do heavy metals get into foods?
A: Metals are found naturally in the Earth's crust. They also are released into our environment as
pollution and get into the water and soil used to grow food. Metals can also get into food from
manufacturing and packaging. Some of the most common metals that get into food include inorganic
arsenic, lead, cadmium, and mercury.
Q: How can I reduce my baby's exposure to toxic metals?
A: Stronger rules and regulations for testing and limiting the amount of heavy metals in foods for
babies and toddlers are most important. But there are several steps parents can take now to reduce
the risk that kids will be exposed to toxic metals in their diet, and from other sources. See below.
Serve a variety of foods to give your child a well-balanced diet.
Read the labels to be sure you are offering a true variety of foods.
Switch up your grains to include oat, barley, couscous, quinoa, farro, and bulgur into your child's
diet. Multi-grain infant cereals can be a good choice.
Check your water and contact your local health department to have your water tested if you are
concerned.
Breastfeed, if possible, to help reduce exposure to toxic metals.
Avoid fruit juice and offer children sliced or pureed whole fruits instead.
Make healthy fish choices by choosing light tuna, salmon, cod, whitefish, and pollock.
Consider homemade baby food, but keep in mind that offering a variety of foods is just as
important when making your own baby food as when shopping for prepared baby foods.
Identify and address lead hazards in your home, such as peeling paint, soil, some cosmetics,
and spices.
Don't smoke or vape to prevent children from secondhand exposure to metals and cancer.
For more information, visit healthychildren.org.
Make Lupus Visible
This May, join lupus warriors, friends, family members, and
caregivers to make lupus visible!
Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease that can damage any part of
the body (skin, joints, and/or organs). "Chronic" means that the
signs and symptoms tend to last longer than six weeks and often for
many years.
Living with an invisible illness like lupus can be isolating, and sometimes lead to judgment from others
who don’t exactly understand the daily struggles. Most symptoms of lupus aren’t always readily visible,
but on the inside, it can wreak havoc on your body, organs, and even cause emotional and mental
strain. Just because people can't see the pain, doesn't mean it's not there. Help bring visibility to lupus,
even when it can’t be seen!
On average, it takes nearly 6 years for people with lupus to be diagnosed from the time they first notice
their lupus symptoms. We need to change this. Getting an early diagnosis of lupus is critical to
preventing long-term consequences of the disease. If someone is experiencing symptoms of lupus, they
should contact their health care provider.
Lupus Awareness Month is an annual observance to call attention to lupus and its impact on the lives of
millions of individuals and families. Take this pledge from the Lupus Foundation of America to continue
raising awareness and help us make lupus visible year-round.
For more information, check out this Lupus fact sheet here.
Additional Resources
Nashua COVID-19 Hotline: 603-589-3456
Upcoming Events
New Hampshire COVID-19 Website
Harbor Care COVID-19 Testing Clinic
May 3, 3 - 6 p.m.
(45 High St., Nashua)
By Appointment: 603-821-7788
Nashua COVID-19 Website
DPHCS COVID-19 Testing Clinic
May 4, 3 - 4:30 p.m.
Greater Nashua Data Elm Street Parking Garage
Dashboard By Appointment: Register Here
SSANA
CDC COVID-19 Website May 3, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
(English) Between Temple St. & Cottage St., Nashua
Immunizations, Child Lead Testing
CDC COVID-19 Website (Spanish) May 4, 3:30 - 5 p.m.
Elm St. Middle School Front Parking Lot
(117 Elm St., Nashua)
Vaccination Information
Immunizations, STD/HIV/HCV Testing
May 5, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Elm St. Middle School Front Parking Lot
(117 Elm St., Nashua)
Food Resources
SSANA
May 5, 2 - 4 p.m.
(29 Temple St., Nashua)
STD/HIV/HCV Testing
May 6, 5 - 7 p.m.
Lamprey Health Care
(22 Prospect St., Nashua)
By Appointment: Register Here
PLEASE NOTE: COVID-19 vaccines are NOT offered at
our mobile immunization clinics listed in this section.
For information about getting vaccinated against
COVID-19, please visit vaccines.nh.gov or call 2-1-1.
Full DPHCS Mobile Outreach Schedule
The New Hampshire Public Health Association NHResponds is the system used pre-register health (NHPHA) supports science based public health policy and general volunteers who have are interested in and has a goal of informing citizenry of changes responding in an emergency. Whether you are a needed in the laws and government in order to healthcare provider, administrative specialist, a improve public health. They track bills and attend retired professional - anyone ready to help in your hearings on public health issues. Subscribe to the community - New Hampshire needs you. Check it ”Health in All Policies” E-News on their website. out! City of Nashua Division of Public Health and Community Services STAY CONNECTED! Greater Nashua Public Health Network (603) 589-4500 www.nashuanh.gov/DPHCS
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