NASHUA – Although the incidence of coronavirus disease is gradually decreasing, Nashua officials are still emphasizing people use caution and follow safety measures as various facets of the economy slowly reopen.

During Wednesday’s city press conference Mayor Jim Donchess went over a three-phase approach on how states or regions should approach their reopenings. The city has almost daily communication with the city’s two hospitals, Southern New Hampshire Medical Center and St. Joseph Hospital, and Donchess said right now there are more than 10 but less than 20 patients with COVID-19 between the two facilities.

“Some weeks ago about 10 percent of the people who were being tested in Nashua and in New Hampshire were testing positive,” Donchess said. “That number has declined so that it’s more like 7 or 6 percent now. That is a good sign.”

With respect to symptoms, there needs to be a downward trend of influenza-like illnesses reported over a 14-day period. Similarly, there also needs to be a downward trajectory of COVID-19-like symptoms reported within a 14-day period. Donchess said there also has to be a downward trend in the documented COVID-19 cases during a 14-day period.

In phase 1 of the reopening, all vulnerable individuals that are age 60 or older or people with underlying health problems should continue to stay at home. People who are not among this vulnerable population should maximize physical distancing of at least 6 feet. Donchess said that everyone should avoid groups of more than 10 people and that all non-essential travel should be avoided.

“There has to be a downward trajectory of the percent of tests that are positive,” Donchess said. “We’ve seen from the graphs that that’s also the case here in New Hampshire and the hospitals have to have testing and they can treat all patients without stressing their capacity, and that’s been true for quite some time.”

According to Donchess, the state is close to entering phase 2, which comes. when there is no evidence of a rebound. In phase 2 vulnerable individuals should continue to remain at home and everyone should continue with social distancing while in public. Up to 50 people could gather as long as distancing is maintained. Also, nonessential travel can resume.

Phase 3 is reached as vulnerable populations can resume public interactions, but should practice physical distancing and minimize exposure in places where distancing may not be practical unless precautionary measures are observed

“We don’t know exactly what the future holds,” Donchess said. “We have to see how the disease evolves. We have to see if there is a second wave or a second surge as there’s more social contact or as the weather gets cooler in the fall.”

Donchess also cited how some coronaviruses do reemerge during the colder months

Director of the Division of Public Health and Community Services in Nashua Bobbie Bagley said the alternative care site set up at Nashua High School South will be dismantled June 19.

“Our goal again is to continue to flatten this curve out to stop the spread of this disease, and it happens with us all working together,” Bagley said. “So, we encourage, we implore you, we thank you for the efforts that you’ve put forth so far and we ask for your continued patience as we come on the other side of this.”

Adam Urquhart may be contacted at 594-1206, or at aurquhart@nashuatelegraph.com.

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