COVID by the Numbers-September 14 Edition

The first two weeks of September have brought significant changes, few of them good.

Statewide, the seven day average of confirmed cases per 100,000 was 5.3 on August 1.  By the end of August, that number was 22.8.  Two weeks later, we are up to 38.0.  Currently active cases statewide went from 738 as of August 1, to 2, 864 at the end of August, and stand at 3,519 today.  The seven day average of daily reported cases rose from 107 at the beginning of August to 326 at the end of August, to 404 today.  Hospitalizations statewide were at 28 at the beginning of August and are now at 141, down from a high yesterday of 154.  The saddest news is that we lost 30 citizens of New Hampshire in the past two weeks.  That is up from 27 in the whole month of August.  3 of those who died in the past two weeks were from Cheshire County.

In Cheshire County, the number that caused me to put out this mid-month bulletin was that on Monday, NH DHHS reported 118 new cases of COVID in the county.  Monday reports include some of the weekend numbers, so  this is a multiple day report, but it’s a lot more than the previous Monday, which was 66, even with the long weekend.  Keene accounted for 57 of those new cases reported Monday, with the rest spread out around the county.  Confirmed active cases in the county have increased from 150 at the end of August, to 218 today.  The countywide seven day average of cases per 100,000 went from 24.8 at the beginning of September to 43.4 currently.  In addition to the 3 Cheshire County citizens who died, we had 3 new hospitalizations in the past two weeks.

Only two counties have higher infection rates than Cheshire County, which at 43.4, is well above the statewide average of 38.0.  Carroll County is at 44.7, and Belnap is at 52.9.

The small ray of light is that currently active cases here in Walpole went from 9 active cases at the beginning of September down to 1-5 currently.  That said, Walpole has had 7 new cases reported in the past two weeks, so the virus is definitely here among us.

This surge was predicted, and the numbers are beginning to reflect the effect of Labor Day gatherings.  The important thing is to be aware of the widespread number of cases, and take precautions accordingly.

Even if you are fully vaccinated, please consider wearing your mask in indoor situations, especially in crowded places with unknown people.

Take good care and stay well,

~Rep. Lucy McVitty Weber
217 Old Keene Road
Walpole  NH  03608

Cell: 603-499-0282
lwmcv@comcast.net