NASHUA – Two new positive COVID-19 cases have been identified at Nashua City Hall, with six cases in total among city hall staff. As a result of this, Nashua City Hall will be closed beginning Monday, Sept. 21 through Monday, Oct. 5, 2020. Essential city services, including motor vehicle transactions, city clerk services and transactions for the tax office, will remain available via phone, email and dropbox.

“City leaders are working with Nashua’s Department of Public Health and Community Services on health and safety protocols at this time, as well as sharing information with city hall employees to maintain the wellbeing of all. The health and safety of city employees and members of the public is the No. 1 priority,” said Nashua Mayor Jim Donchess. “We have made arrangements to continue essential motor vehicle and city clerk transactions, as well as other essential city services.”

Flavia Martin, city of Nashua Division of Public Health and Community Services Communicable Disease Program Coordinator, said testing remains available and the public health department is on top of monitoring the situation.

“We have continued to monitor the cluster of COVID-19 cases at Nashua City Hall. On Thursday, Sept. 17, we learned of two new illness onset. With this newest development, these cases now meet outbreak definition. All disease investigation protocols are being followed and we are offering guidance and recommendations to Nashua City Hall staff as appropriate,” Martin said.

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Motor Vehicle and Tax Office Transactions

During this time period, customers who have appointments should arrive at your scheduled time at the Elm Street Entrance to city hall. Motor vehicle and tax staff will assist you in placing your information in an envelope for processing. Your registration materials will be mailed to your address.

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City Clerk Services

To make changes to your voter registration or to register to vote, call 603-589-3010, option 5, and leave your name and address. A packet and instructions will be mailed to your home. Ballots for the general election have not yet been received but are expected within the next couple of weeks. The city clerk’s office will continue to accept online and mail-in requests. Visit us online to download a request for an absentee ballot for the upcoming general election or track your request online.

You may track the status of your absentee ballot through the Secretary of State’s website at https://app.sos.nh.gov/Public/AbsenteeBallot.aspx. Due to the temporary closing of city hall, the city clerk’s office will suspend all appointments in person to apply for a marriage license. Residents also can reach the city clerk’s office via email, at cityclerkdept@nashuanh.gov.

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What is an outbreak and what does it mean?

An outbreak occurs when there are three or more cases which are discovered to be linked and the linkage is established outside of a case investigation and contact tracing. Any settings experiencing an outbreak should maintain all recommended precautions until there are no additional clinical cases for 14 days or until cases subside in a community.

Public Health Nurses from the Nashua DPHCS have continued case investigation and contract tracing for this outbreak. The confirmed cases are currently self-isolating at home for 10 days. All close contacts have been notified and advised to self-quarantine for 14 days, as well as get tested. All Nashua City Hall staff were notified of the development of cases and encouraged to get tested and self-monitor for any new onset of illness. The Nashua DPHCS will continue to monitor the situation.

If you are experiencing ANY symptoms of illness, such as new onset of sore throat, congestion, runny nose, headache, muscle ache, fatigue, new loss of taste or smell, fever, cough, shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea, we advise you to stay at home and contact your health care provider. You can also schedule a free COVID-19 test at the Nashua DPHCS COVID-19 Testing Clinics held every Tuesday from 3-5 p.m. at the Elm Street Parking Garage. To schedule an appointment, complete the online form at bit.ly/NashuaCOVIDTestingForm or call the Nashua COVID-19 Hotline at 603-589-3456. For additional COVID-19 testing options, visit nashuanh.gov/1383/Testing.

For more information regarding COVID-19, visit the city of Nashua website at www.nashuanh.gov/COVID19. For additional information and resources, visit the NH Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) online at www.nh.gov/covid19.