This 2020 electron microscope image made available by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows SARS-CoV-2 virus particles which cause COVID-19. According to research released in 2021, evidence is mounting that having COVID-19 may not protect against getting infected again with some of the new variants. People also can get second infections with earlier versions of the coronavirus if they mounted a weak defense the first time. (Hannah A. Bullock, Azaibi Tamin/CDC via AP)

CONCORD – The state Department of Health and Human Services announced 287 new positive test results for COVID-19 and four deaths Friday, for a current PCR test positivity rate of 2.3%.

The deaths include:

1 female resident of Hillsborough County, 60 years of age and older

2 male residents of Hillsborough County, 60 years of age and older

1 male resident of Rockingham County, 60 years of age and older

Today’s results include 175 people who tested positive by PCR test and 112 who tested positive by antigen test. There are now 2,177 current COVID-19 cases diagnosed in New Hampshire. Of the results reported today:

3/11: 287 new cases

Several cases are still under investigation. Additional information from ongoing investigations will be incorporated into future COVID-19 updates. Of those with complete information, there are thirty-four individuals under the age of 18 and the rest are adults with 45% being female and 55% being male. The new cases reside in Rockingham (69), Merrimack (39), Hillsborough County other than Manchester and Nashua (34), Strafford (33), Cheshire (19), Grafton (16), Carroll (9), Coos (8), Belknap (5), and Sullivan (2) counties, and in the cities of Manchester (26) and Nashua (15). The county of residence is being determined for twelve new cases.

Community-based transmission continues to occur in the State and has been identified in all counties. Of those with complete risk information, most of the cases have either had close contact with a person with a confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis or are associated with an outbreak setting.

There are currently 73 individuals hospitalized with COVID-19. In New Hampshire since the start of the pandemic, there have been a total of 78,074 cases of COVID-19 diagnosed.