New Hampshire Resident Being Tested For Coronavirus
NEW LONDON, N.H. (CBS) – One person in New Hampshire is being tested for coronavirus, the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services said Sunday. This is the fourth person in the state to be tested though no cases have been officially identified.
The DHHS said the person developed symptoms after traveling to Italy, where the virus has spread in recent weeks, but did not provide any specifics.
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At least two New Hampshire school districts are asking students and faculty who recently returned from a trip to Europe to stay home for the next week over coronavirus fears.
A total of 35 students from Kearsarge Regional High School were taking part in an educational trip through Italy, France and the United Kingdom. Superintendent of Schools Winfried Feneberg said there is no indication any students were exposed to coronavirus.
Feneberg said the school administration met Sunday to review the latest recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services.
After the discussions, the district decided to have students and staff remain home until March 9. Kearsarge students are returning to class Monday after February break.
"This will ensure that a 14-day time period has elapsed from the time the students left the affected region," said Feneberg. "We will continue to monitor all students and follow the recommendations of CDC, concerning the presence of flu-like symptoms. We are also mindful that this is still flu season and influenza is considered a much more widespread risk than the coronavirus."
The impacted students will be able to use technology such as Google Classrooms, Skype, and FaceTime to minimize the impact of missing class.
"We encourage students to contact their teachers for opportunities to use telepresence and software tools on a class-by-class basis," said Feneberg. "Attendance at school will not be held against students for these physical absences. Teachers will be flexible and allow plenty of time for students to complete work."'
Students who attended a Winnacunnet High School trip to Italy over February break are asked to stay home from school and extracurriculars until March 16. Other School Administrative Unit 21 students who went to Level 2 or Level 3 transmission areas (including China, Iran, South Korea, Italy, Japan) should also not come to school until March 16.
Household members and siblings of students who need to stay home can continue coming to school but should closely self-monitor for any symptoms.
Students excluded from school will not be penalized for their absences.
"Quite frankly given the changing nature, almost by the day, of what's come out in respect to Italy and other locations in the world, we thought it was in the best interest of these students, their families, and our other students, and staff as well," said Superintendent William Lupini.
