COVID-19 pandemic in New Hampshire

The first reported case was on March 2, of a male Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center employee who had recently returned from a trip to Italy. A second case, a man who had had close contact with the first reported case, was confirmed the following day, March 3.[4] The man with the first case had defied quarantine orders and attended a private event organized by Dartmouth College's Tuck School of Business in White River Junction, Vermont on February 28.[5]

On March 13, the seventh case was reported from a resident of Rockingham County who had visited the Manchester Division of Motor Vehicles from March 2-10.[6]

March 23 marked the date of the first confirmed death due to the virus in the state, as the number of confirmed cases in state rose to above one hundred.[7] The second death from the virus, a man from Hillsborough County, was confirmed on March 27.[8]

On March 13, with the seventh case reported in the state, Governor Chris Sununu declared a state of emergency. This limited visitors to assisted living and long-term care facilities, and suspended out-of-state trips for state employees. The seventh case was the first for which an advisory was issued to the public for potential exposure specifically at the Manchester Department of Motor Vehicles from March 2 to March 5. Over the next few days, more measures to limit the spread of the virus were announced including the closure of K-12 public schools on March 15,[9] and the closure of restaurants and bars except for takeout and delivery and a limit on gatherings of more than fifty people on March 16.[10] In addition to these restrictions, unemployment benefits were expanded to those temporarily out of work due to COVID-19 related closures or due to self-quarantining and evictions and utility disconnections were banned to help those affected by the spread of the virus.

On March 17 and 18, the American Civil Liberties Union of NH (ACLU-NH) and the New Hampshire Association Of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NHACDL) urged correction facilities in the state to release COVID-19 response plans and incorporate policies that protect the civil rights of incarcerated individuals.[11][12] These policies included limits on number of people arrested and incarcerated, cost reduction for means of remote communication, testing and treatment protocols, and additional precautions for incarcerated individuals who are extra vulnerable to COVID-19.[11][12] Corrections Commissioner Helen Hanks responded on March 18 that correction facilities have already started to adopt some of these policies.[13]

On March 26, Sununu announced a stay-at-home order going into effect the following day at midnight requiring the closure of all non-essential in-person businesses.[14][15]

On May 1, Sununu extended the stay-at-home order until May 31, while relaxing restrictions on some businesses effective May 11.[16]

On May 6, Sununu announced a new online COVID-19 testing registration portal.[17][18] Residents with COVID-19 symptoms, underlying health conditions, age over 60, or are healthcare workers can use the portal to request testing without medical referral.[19] This portal supplements existing means for requesting tests, which are through healthcare providers or by calling the COVID-19 Coordinating Office.[19] More than 2,200 residents requested testing within the first 24 hours of the portal’s launch.[19] Additionally, due to the stabilizing of the COVID-19 outbreak and subsequent transition to containment, the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (NH DHHS) recommended on May 7 that health service providers administer testing to all patients with at least mild symptoms of COVID-19.[20]

On May 29, Sununu extended the stay-at-home order until June 15.[21] The NH DHSS also introduced a new dashboard on this day to help the public track COVID-19 impact on the community daily.[22] This replaced the COVID-19 Weekly Summary Report.[22]

Sununu confirmed on June 11 that the Stay-At-Home order will expire on June 15.[23] This includes eliminating the 10-people-or-under limit for group gatherings and allowing businesses previously deemed non-essential (such as gyms, libraries, and pools) to re-open or expand.[24][25] Residents are still encouraged to wear masks in public and observe social distancing.[24]