By KATHY McCORMACK
Associated Press
CONCORD — New Hampshire is getting an additional $11.7 million from the massive federal coronavirus relief package to help community service programs and the homeless, the state’s congressional delegation announced Thursday.
Here are the latest coronavirus developments across the state:
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 largest amount, nearly $7.5 million, will be administered through the Community Development Block Grant program to Manchester, Nashua, Portsmouth, Dover, and Rochester.
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.
THE NUMBERS
More than 400 people in New Hampshire have been diagnosed with COVID-19. Four people have died, and more than 50 have been hospitalized.
For most people, it causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, or death.
UNEMPLOYMENT CLAIMS
More than 27,000 in initial unemployment claims were filed in New Hampshire last week, down a little from the week before, 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. Before that, fewer than 700 claims were filed the the week ending March 14.
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.
Insured unemployment claims in New Hampshire for the week ending March 21 were up to 27,624, compared to 4,024 the week before.
Those who wish to file a claim can go to www.nhes.nh.gov or call 271-7700.
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, corrections officials said.
New Hampshire Public Radio reports the jail in Rockingham County, one of the larger ones in the state, has released about a dozen people. County Corrections Superintendent Stephen Church said the release of a defendant often depends on specific 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 have been close to the end of their sentences, or have 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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