NH, Vt. Declare States of Emergency Due to Coronavirus Outbreak

The governors of New Hampshire and Vermont both declared states of emergency on Friday due to the continued coronavirus outbreak.

New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu said the state of emergency allows him to deploy resources to respond to coronavirus-related issues. He said he is also prohibiting access to all assisted-living and residential care facilities for elderly patients as of midnight Sunday.

"It is imperative that residents remain calm, they work together to support each other as the situation evolves and changes," Sununu said. "The one thing we know that we can count on is truly that spirit of community. We all share and look after our neighbors in our times of need, and we have to keep that spirit moving forward."

Officials in New Hampshire confirms it's first case of coronavirus on Monday

Neither governor said their state is closing public schools at this time.

"We have determined that closing schools at this point is not seen as effective, at least not yet," Vermont Gov. Phil Scott said. "We believe keeping them in schools rather than at home alone with their parents or grandparents who are at risk is the best approach at this time."

Vermont health officials have announced the state's first case of COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus. Health Commissioner Mark Levine said Sunday that an adult from Bennington County is in an isolation room at Southwestern Vermont Medical Center in Bennington.

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Friday night, New Hampshire officials announced a seventh presumptive case of coronavirus, a woman from Rockingham County.

Anyone identified as a close contact of the woman will be notified by the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services, but officials say anyone who was at the Manchester branch of the New Hampshire Division of Motor Vehicles between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. on the following days may have been exposed:

Monday, March 2
Tuesday, March 3
Wednesday, March 4
Thursday, March 5
Tuesday, March 10

Four of New Hampshire's cases are in Rockingham County and three in Grafton County, officials said.

The state announced its first coronavirus patient on March 3. The man had attended an event at the Engine Room in White River Junction, Vermont, tied to Dartmouth business school despite advice to remain isolated. The second positive patient had been in contact with the first patient at the event.

Vermont has had two of its own cases of COVID-19 so far, one in Chittenden County and one in Bennington County.