CONCORD – As the number of confirmed coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases rose across the state over the weekend, Governor Chris Sununu announced new initiatives Monday, including one offering greater unemployment relief.

“To date, over the last several weeks, there have been more than 5,700 people in New Hampshire tested for COVID-19, and currently we have 314 people who have been diagnosed with COVID-19,” State Epidemiologist Dr. Benjamin Chan said Monday afternoon during a press conference with Governor Chris Sununu. “That’s an increase of about 56 individuals from yesterday (Sunday).”

Between Saturday and Sunday combined, about 100 individuals in New Hampshire were diagnosed with COVID-19. Chan said the majority of these individuals are people with milder symptoms who are at home and self isolating. With an increased number of cases comes an increased number of deaths, and New Hampshire is now reporting three fatalities from COVID-19.

“All three of these individuals were people that were older than 60 years of age and had multiple underlying, chronic medical conditions, which is exactly the age group that is most at risk for severe complications from COVID-19,” Chan said.

New Hampshire can expect to see the number of cases increase as the country is in the acceleration phase of the pandemic.

Chan said officials are seeing an increasing number of people being diagnosed that have no specific risk factors identified.

“So, I think one of the key messages now is that this virus is out in our communities, it is circulating, and so everybody needs to take steps and precautions against not only getting infected themselves, but also spreading infection to other people within our communities, certainly those who are most vulnerable,” Chan said.

Chan also said there is increasing evidence that people can spread the virus before they may have symptoms, what officials call presymptomatic transmission. If people do not need to go out urgently, Chan recommends they stay at home. However, a more positive piece of information Chan touched upon is that as of Monday, officials were aware that at least 46 people have been diagnosed and recovered. Chan said the majority of individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 have not required hospitalization.

New Hampshire residents currently drawing from the state’s unemployment insurance program will, in most instances, be shifted to the federal funded Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program, with the state is increasing the weekly minimum benefit from $32 a week to $168 a week.

“Then starting next week we’re adding an additional $600 per week per individual to their weekly benefits, all 100 percent federally funded,” Sununu said.

Sununu said the maximum length for assistance will increase by 13 weeks, topping out at 39 weeks.

“This opportunity is really building on the fact that New Hampshire was able to be one of the first states in the country to offer the expanded unemployment insurance benefits, and the fact that the federal government has come in behind us, enhancing those benefits as well, will create an incredible opportunity for those individuals and families around the state,” Sununu said.

Sununu said New Hampshire had the highest increase in unemployment benefits between March 14 and March 21 anywhere in the country, citing how it was really because the state opened up its unemployment benefits more aggressively than elsewhere in the country. He also cited the fact that the federal government has come in to not just support, but enhance those benefits, which will provide opportunity for individuals across New Hampshire.

The governor also announced that the state will be extending the business tax payment deadline to June 15 for approximately 98 percent of New Hampshire small businesses, as many continue adapting to the new realities COVID-19 poses. The state will also be extending interest and dividends tax payment deadlines to June 15 for approximately 98 percent of the interest and dividends tax payers.

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

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