By CHARLENE LOVETT
By Charlene Lovett
During our last weekly call with the governor, the discussion focused on reopening the economy and the importance of increasing testing to further that effort. Balancing the need for public safety with restarting the economy is challenging, and we will need all the tools at our disposal to achieve the right balance. Testing and contact tracing are essential to this effort, and the public can help by getting tested.
New Hampshire’s COVID-19 Community-Based Testing Program includes six fixed, drive-thru testing locations. One of those is at the Claremont Middle School. When the site first opened on April 29, people were required to contact their primary care physician and request a test be ordered. Testing rates were low, averaging eight a day at the Claremont site. Given that the governor’s goal is 1,500 tests a day statewide, it was clear that these numbers had to increase.
To help accomplish this, the Department of Health and Human Services made several changes to the process, creating new ways for requesting a test. Anyone who lives or works in New Hampshire is eligible to get tested at the Claremont Middle School, and individuals do not have to be exhibiting symptoms. However, there is particular focus on testing healthcare workers, and people with COVID-19 symptoms, underlying health conditions, or over the age of 60. Appointments can be made using one of three options. People can request a test through their healthcare provider, the COVID-19 testing registration portal at https://prd.blogs.nh.gov/dos/hsem/?page_id=8479 or by calling the COVID-19 Coordinating Office at (603) 271-5980.
These changes have proven effective in raising testing rates. Within 24 hours of launching the online registration option, 2,200 residents statewide submitted requests to be tested. This is good news as we prepare to transition from staying at home to incrementally reopening the economy. Spreading the word of who is eligible to be tested and the ease at which residents can request a test at the Claremont testing site, is a priority as we move forward.
For those residents who are eligible to get tested, the drive-through site at the Claremont Middle School is open seven days a week from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. The site’s testing capacity is up to 125 people a day. Testing requests are processed by the COVID-19 Coordinating Office, and appointments are scheduled within 24 hours of making the request. Testing is free and will only take about 15 minutes.
As of the date of this writing, Sullivan County has 14 positive cases of COVID-19 since March 1, and we continue to have active cases. Claremont has had between one and four cases since the pandemic first hit the region. These low numbers may reduce a sense of urgency, especially for those not considered to be at high risk. However, given the infectiousness of the disease, we all have a responsibility to prevent transmission. Not only will this help protect the health of others and prevent our healthcare system form being overly stressed, it will also give us the data we need to reopen the economy as quickly and safely as possible.
Charlene Lovett is the mayor of Claremont and a 22-year Army veteran. She welcomes your feedback. Please email questions, comments or concerns to her at [email protected].
As your daily newspaper, we are committed to providing you with important local news coverage for Sullivan County and the surrounding areas.