Weekly Update - March 8, 2021 - Nashua, NH
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Weekly Update - March 8, 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 Receives Emergency Authorization for COVID-19 Vaccine
The FDA approved the single dose COVID-19 vaccine made my
pharmaceutical company Johnson & Johnson this past weekend.
This is a very positive development in the fight against the COVID-
19 pandemic.
The single dose shot was found to be 66% effective overall (72% in
the United States) in preventing moderate to severe infection and
85% effective in fighting severe disease. There were no
hospitalizations or deaths among people in the large clinical trial.
The CDC and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) have expressed no preference
for any specific COVID-19 vaccine.
Because this newly authorized vaccine does not require the "cold-chain" storage of the other vaccines
in use currently, this vaccine can be administered anywhere, and could soon make its way into more
primary care offices, pharmacies, and mass vaccination sites.
Rollout of the vaccine has already begun and we are expecting to receive some supply of the Johnson &
Johnson vaccine this week in New Hampshire.
This vaccine is a another great tool against the COVID-19 virus. Currently, because of vaccine scarcity,
you will not be able to choose which vaccine you receive - in other words, whatever supply is on hand
at your designated vaccination site is the vaccine you will get.
When asked on "Meet the Press" about the three vaccines available, Dr. Anthony Fauci, Director of the
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, stated "All three of them are quite good, and
people should take the one that's most available to them. If you go to a place and you have Johnson &
Johnson, and that's the one available now, I would take it."
The State of NH received the Johnson and Johnson vaccine and is conducting a clinic from March 6
through March 8 at the Motor Speedway in Loudon by appointment only.
The State of New Hampshire is currently vaccinating people that are in Phase 1B which includes the
medically vulnerable with at least 2 chronic conditions, those individuals over 65 years of age, family
caregivers of the medically vulnerable under the age of 16, residents and staff at facilities for those with
intellectual and developmental disabilities. To register for the vaccine, you can call 2-1-1 or visit
vaccines.nh.gov.
Vaccine Comparison
Is your organization interested in hosting a closed vaccination clinic for staff and clients? Does your
organization anticipate having extra vaccine?
If yes, email Patty Crooker at crookerp@nashuanh.gov for more information and further discussion.
Details on Next Phases of COVID-19 Vaccination
The State of New Hampshire has announced the
details of vaccination rollout for for Phase 2A of
the COVID-19 vaccine.
On March 4th, NH Governor Sununu announced
that beginning March 12th, regional public health
networks will work with school officials to organize
clinics for specific schools or districts, populations
referred to as closed pods.
On March 17th, teachers, child care workers, and school staff members who are not in those closed
pods can begin registering with the state's online scheduling system to get appointments at the state-
run vaccination sites. The appointments will begin March 22nd.
The state is also ready to move ahead with Phase 2B. Anyone 50 years of age or older can begin
registering for vaccination starting March 22nd, with appointments beginning March 25th. For more
details about the phases, see the State Allocation Guidelines. On March 2nd, Governor Sununu issued Emergency Order #86 authorizing the deployment of retired health care workers to work at COVID-19 vaccination clinics. "As vaccine supply increases, our first priority is to ensure that doses are administered into arms as quickly as possible,” said Governor Chris Sununu. “This Emergency Order provides flexibility to allow previously licensed, out-of-state healthcare workers who have recently retired or are not currently practicing to administer the COVID-19 vaccine, ensuring that workforce shortages do not slow New Hampshire's vaccination efforts.” Read Emergency Order #86 here. DPHCS Seeking COVID-19 Vaccination Response Support The Nashua DPHCS is actively hiring for a Community Services COVID-19 Vaccination (CSCV) Response Support. This position will be providing temporary support to the Division of Public Health and Community Services for the delivery of prevention, health education and health promotion activities. The CSCV Response Support person will assist at clinics, providing language support, and cultural guidance to secure equity in service deliver. The position will play an integral role interacting with diverse community groups to build trust, as well as establish and maintain community relations. This position will also establish linkages within the community supporting the Community Health Workers to increase access to vaccination registration and language access through interpretation and translation of written materials including sign language. This position is Per Diem, the schedule will vary. High school diploma, GED or a minimum of at 2 year college degree, three to five years relevant job experience or related work experience as a paraprofessional or medical interpreter, knowledge, skills and training in medical interpretation and social support services. Bilingual skills are REQUIRED (English/Portuguese; Spanish; Kiswahili, French or English/Other languages). If you or someone you know is interested in applying, submit a cover letter, application, resume, and three professional references online here. Make Colorectal Health a Priority - Get Screened During the COVID-19 pandemic, colorectal cancer screenings have decreased. During National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month this March, we encourage our community to make colorectal health a priority by taking the Colorectal Cancer Alliances’ "Get Checked" Screening Pledge and making an appointment to get screened for colorectal cancer. Colorectal cancer is cancer that starts in the colon or rectum. It is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer and the second leading cause of cancer death in men and women combined in the United States. In the United States, approximately 140,000 people are diagnosed and more than 50,000 people die from colon cancer each year. At the same time, colorectal cancer is also the most preventable and treatable type of cancer. The five-year survival rate for colorectal cancer found at the local stage is 90 percent, compared to 14 percent for colorectal cancer found at distant stages. We know colorectal cancer often goes undiagnosed until it has spread, but awareness saves lives. By increasing awareness, people get checked earlier, and by finding it earlier fewer people will be taken by this awful disease. Through research and education about prevention, screening, and treatment, it is possible to end colorectal cancer in our lifetime. Whether you are a patient navigating your diagnosis or caregiver providing support, visit the National Colorectal Cancer Alliance website for resources.
Behavioral Health Resources during COVID-19
We want to remind our community that you are not
alone! You may be feeling some level of anxiety and
discomfort, and that is normal. If you or a loved one
have struggled with mental health concerns, this may
be an even more difficult time for you.
Th NH Department of Health and Human Services has
created a flyer to provide tips and resources to help.
This flyer contains hints for coping with stress during
an epidemic, resource links and much more. Download
the PDF flyer here or visit the DHHS Covid-19
information page.
NEED TO TALK TO SOMEONE?
General Help & Resources NH
Call 2-1-1
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
1-800-273-8255
Disaster Distress Helpline
1-800-985-5990
Video: Recovery is Possible and Hope is Essential
Created by the NH Recovery HUB, the short video above is the first of a series created to explain the
recovery paths offered at the state's recovery community organizations. Check it out by clicking the
video below!
EQUITY CORNER
Language can be a barrier to accessing relevant and high quality
health information and delivering appropriate health care.
According to the World Health Organization, “Community Health
Workers (CHWs) can make a valuable contribution to community
development and can improve access to and coverage of
communities with basic health services. There is robust evidence
that CHWs can undertake actions that lead to improved health
outcomes.".
In the United States, 64,900 community health workers actively
work in their communities to treat diseases like diabetes, HIV/AIDS,
tuberculosis, and cancer, and provide prevention services ranging
from sexual and reproductive health, behavioral health, and
chronic disease. During the pandemic, they have also played an
important role in contact tracing, testing, and education efforts.
In December, three CHWs joined the Nashua DPHCS, speaking a combined 9 languages! A fourth CHW
will be joining DPHCS on March 22. With their tireless effort, we have produced educational materials
and videos in the most-spoken languages of our community in Greater Nashua. These outreach efforts
have paid off in ensuring our community is armed with the knowledge to protect themselves from
COVID-19 and, have allowed us to vaccinate hundreds of Nashua’s immigrant, refugee, and non-English
speaking populations at our COVID-19 vaccine clinics. We celebrate the work that our CHW’s have done
in making our community safe and providing access to the most vulnerable and hard-to-reach
residents.
Funding for the CHWs is provided by the NH Charitable Foundation and NH DHHS from CDC funds.
State of Virginia Declares Racism a "Public Health Crisis"
Last week, Virginia's General Assembly adopted a
resolution naming racism a public health crisis, the
first Southern state to do so. The declaration is part of
a growing trend that is being tracked and supported
by the American Public Health Association. (APHA).
In February, APHA released an online tool that maps U.S. racism declarations. More than 170
declarations (from States, counties and cities) are included in the tool, which will soon be
complemented by a how-to guide for declaring racism a public health crisis.
Ohio and California lead the country in having the most declarations in their states. New Hampshire has
none so far. Read about the the evolution of these declarations here.
Additional Resources
Nashua COVID-19 Hotline: 603-589-3456
Upcoming Events
New Hampshire COVID-19 Website
Harbor Care COVID-19 Testing Clinic
March 8, 3 - 6 p.m.
(45 High St., Nashua)
By Appointment: 603-821-7788
Nashua COVID-19 Website
DPHCS COVID-19 Testing Clinic
March 9, 3 - 5 p.m.
National Guard Armory
(154 Daniel Webster HWY, Nashua)
By Appointment: Register Here
Greater Nashua Data
Dashboard
SSANA
March 8, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Between Temple St. & Cottage St., Nashua
Immunizations & Child Lead Testing
CDC COVID-19 Website March 9, 3 - 5 p.m.
(English)
Elm Street Middle School Front Parking Lot
(117 Elm St., Nashua)
Immunizations & STD/HIV/HCV Testing
March 10, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
CDC COVID-19 Website (Spanish)
Nashua Public Library (2 Court St., Nashua)
SSANA
March 10, 2 - 4 p.m.
29 Temple St., Nashua
Vaccination Information
STD/HIV/HCV Testing
March 11, 5 - 7 p.m.
Lamprey Health Care (22 Prospect St., Nashua)
By Appointment: Register Here
Food Resources
(English)
PLEASE NOTE: COVID-19 vaccines are NOT offered at
our mobile Immunization Clinics listed above. For
information about getting vaccinated against COVID-
19, please visit vaccines.nh.gov or call 2-1-1.
Food Resources (Spanish)
Full DPHCS Mobile Outreach Schedule
Public Health Matters
Host: Jane Goodman, Public Health Strategist
Guest: Stephanie Wolf-Rosenblum, MD,
Nashua Board of Health
WATCH THE FULL SEGMENT HERE!
Nashua Division of Public Health and Community Services
Greater Nashua Public Health Network
www.NashuaNH.gov/DPHCS
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