The comparative effects of coronavirus in New Hampshire

As of this writing, New Hampshire has 4,197 reported cases of COVID-19 and 210 deaths, while there are more than 1.6 million reported cases of COVID-19 in the United States and 98,191 deaths related to the coronavirus. This post looks at the effects of the pandemic in New Hampshire compared to other states.

The first reported COVID-related death in New Hampshire was a 60-year-old man on March 23, 2020. (The first reported case in New Hampshire was March 2.) In comparison, the first reported U.S. COVID-19-related death was on Feb. 6 in California. (The U.S.’s first confirmed case was reported on Jan. 20.)

New Hampshire’s population is about 1.4 million people. New Hampshire sits at number 18 in U.S. states/territories for COVID-related deaths per capita as of May 20, with 14 deaths per 100,000 residents or .00014% of the entire state’s population. The top five states/territories of death per capita (all on the East Coast) are:

• New York: 147 deaths per 100,000 residents or .00147% of the entire state’s population
• New Jersey: 121 deaths per 100,000 
• Connecticut: 99 deaths per 100,000 
• Massachusetts: 88 deaths per 100,000
• District of Columbia: 58 per 100,000

Reported case increases/decreases

NPR tracks the speed of COVID-19’s spread across states with an updated article, map and infographics.

May 8 was the last date when more than 100 new cases were reported in NH while neighboring , Massachusetts still had close to 1,000 new cases each day over the last three weeks. New Hampshire currently ranks  number 41 in confirmed COVID-19 cases. Compared to the top five states with reported cases, here is how cases increased or decreased over the previous three weeks:

Reopening New Hampshire

On May 4, elective surgeries resumed in New Hampshire. On May 11, some New Hampshire businesses shuttered by the pandemic reopened, including hair salons and barber shops for customers with reservations. Pandemic rules allow less than 10 people inside the location, including staff. Face masks are required for customers and staff. Retail shops re-opened on May 11 at 50% capacity . On May 18, restaurants were allowed outdoor seating only, with tables at least six feet apart and employees wearing masks.

Funeral home guidelines during the pandemic

It’s been two months since we first wrote about how the pandemic affects funerals in New Hampshire. Phaneuf Funeral Homes and Crematorium has handled the arrangements for approximately one-third of COVID-19-related deaths in New Hampshire.

Phaneuf maintains the guideline of less than 10 people at a visitation or funeral service, and most of the cemeteries and churches we work with operate with the same guidelines. We’ve heard that other states are beginning to allow more than 10 participants at a time inside funeral homes for services, but for now, we feel comfortable with the current guideline of less than 10, including funeral home staff.

We’ll continue to update you on our plans for funeral and cremation services in New Hampshire via this blog and on our social media channels: Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.