CONCORD – The state announced its fifth death related to COVID-19, a man who lived in Hillsborough County. He was under the age of 60 with underlying medical conditions. The state says it can’t release more information about him to protect the privacy of patients.

“We offer our sympathies to the family and friends,” the state said in a news release that included the following information:

On Thursday, there were 64 new positive test results for COVID-19. There have now been 479 cases diagnosed in New Hampshire. The new cases are 42 adult females and 22 adult males.

The new cases reside in Rockingham (17), Hillsborough County other than Manchester and Nashua (12), Strafford (6), Merrimack (4), Cheshire (1), Grafton (1), and Sullivan (1) counties, and in the cities of Manchester (19) and Nashua (3).

Ten of the new cases were hospitalized for their illness; thus far, 73 (15%) of the 479 positive cases have been hospitalized. Thirty-seven of the new cases have no identified risk factors. Community-based transmission continues to increase in the state and has been identified in all counties with cases. Most of the remaining cases have either had travel to domestic or international locations or have had close contact with a person with a confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis.

AID FOR COMMUNITIES, HOMELESS

The $11.7 million in additional federal funding can be used to expand community health facilities, child care centers, food banks and senior services.

The money will also support eviction prevention, rental deposit assistance and homelessness prevention programs.

The funding comes in addition to the $1.25 billion in federal aid for coronavirus response efforts announced last week, and $147 million announced Tuesday for schools, transit, law enforcement, child care, low-income heating and other needs.

UNEMPLOYMENT CLAIMS

More than 27,000 initial unemployment claims were filed in New Hampshire last week, down slightly from the previous week, the U.S. Department of Labor reported Thursday.

The latest number covers new claims through March 28. The number was over 29,000 for the week ending March 21.

George Copadis, commissioner of New Hampshire’s Department of Employment Security, said last week that before the coronavirus hit, the department averaged about 500 claims a week.

In Claremont, Shawn Dean said she tried to call the department March 27 on behalf of her husband, who provides customer service for an internet provider and has had his hours cut. Dean, 57, wasn’t able to get through but left a call-back number. She was shocked when her phone rang two days later at 9:01 a.m.

“It’s Sunday! Holy cow! And on the other end of the phone was Lucas, all bright and cheery, all ready to help me,” she said Thursday. “This guy was outstanding. He explained the process and said ‘Yes, you most definitely can apply.'”

Dean will attempt that on Friday. Because the system has been so strained, claimants are assigned certain days to apply based on the first letters of their last name.

Those who wish to file a claim can go to www.nhes.nh.gov or call 271-7700.

FOREST CLOSURES

More sites in the White Mountain National Forest have been shut down to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

The Appalachian Mountain Club Visitor Center grounds, parking lots and facilities at Pinkham Notch are closed, as well as the Tuckerman and Huntington ravines and Gulf of Slides ski trail, forest officials said Thursday.

The closures were made to limit large gatherings and reduce the need for staff and volunteers who help with search-and-rescue efforts.

SOME INMATES RELEASED

Some county jail inmates in New Hampshire who were convicted or accused of nonviolent crimes have been released to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

New Hampshire Public Radio reports the jail in Rockingham County has released about a dozen people. County Corrections Superintendent Stephen Church said such releases often include restrictions or requirements, such as daily check-ins, electronic monitoring or participation in programming.

The majority of inmates who have been released by county jails were close to the end of their sentences, or had already been on work or weekend releases.

Correctional facilities across the state are putting new inmates under quarantine for a minimum of 14 days.

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