covid 19. coronavirus

Most of southern New Hampshire and Essex County in Massachusetts are at medium risk of community spread of COVID-19 through Thursday while Strafford County and all of Maine are at low risk.

The Consumer Healthcare Products Association, which represents three major manufacturers of children’s pain and fever medications, said their members are working round the clock to alleviate the shortages.

The financial requirements of the public emergency on Medicaid have become a burden to states, according to the the letter signed by Gov. Chris Sununu, Mass. Gov. Charlie Baker, and 23 other governors.

15% of staff and students at Marshwood High School and the Central School in the Marshwood school district. and are out of school due to illness.

New Hampshire has a law prohibiting the COVID-19 vaccine being a requirement for receiving state services, but it's opposed by Democratic candidate for governor, Senator Dr. Tom Sherman.

Getting the omicron-specific COVID booster shot and a flu shot are important, says Martha Wassell, Wentworth-Douglass Hospital's Director of Infection Prevention.

It is recommended that anyone 12 or older who completed their COVID-19 primary series or received a booster dose at least two months ago get the updated booster, according to State Epidemiologist Dr. Benjamin Chan.

The critical care nurses at Wentworth-Douglass Hospital in Dover expressed thanks to the community for their support during the pandemic.

The 75-year-old said she is fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and encouraged others to do the same.

COVID-19 testing is still available at 90 locations in New Hampshire including hospitals, healthcare provider practices, pharmacies, and urgent care centers.

Under both the guidelines from the state and the CDC, anyone who wants to wear a mask in school is free to do so.

"At this point in the pandemic, we are no longer recommending universal face masks for people in indoor public locations unless a person is required to wear a face mask for their specific situation," state epidemiologist Dr. Benjamin Chan said.

State Sen. Tom Sherman, who is also a doctor and likely candidate for governor, is pleased the numbers are trending down but urges caution against possible future variants.

Portsmouth City Manager Karen Conrad who issued the mandate still strongly urges the use of masks.

"This is not a victory by any means, but we are definitely trending in the right direction," Gov. Chris Sununu said at his briefing on Wednesday.

Medicare will cover the cost of COVID-19 test kits starting in the early spring, thanks to the efforts of Sen. Maggie Hassan and Rep. Chris Pappas.