Staff reports 6:18 a.m.
Friday, October 9, 2020 6:16 am

NOT PALATABLE FOR MOST: Mike Somers, CEO of NH Restaurant and Lodging group, shows what plexiglass dividers between tables would look like at Newick's roundtable in Dover last month. Local eatery owners say it won't work for them. (Paula Tracy photo)

CONCORD - New virus cases in the Greater Rochester area appear to be trending downward after a spike last month largely thought to have been driven by increased testing and positive cases that surfaced at area schools including UNH.

Local active case numbers now include 12 in Rochester, 13 in Dover, 1-4 in Somersworth and Farmington and none in Milton, Strafford and Barrington.

Meanwhile, DHHS announced 79 new positive test results for COVID-19 on Thursday, for a daily PCR test positivity rate of 0.7 percent.

Thursday's newly identified cases include fifteen under 18 and three from Strafford County.

Today's local active case map (DHHS)

Two new hospitalized cases were identified for a current total of 14, down seven from just a couple of days ago.

DHHS also announced one additional death related to COVID-19, a Hillsborough County woman 60 or older who was a resident of a long-term care facility

Current Situation in New Hampshire

NH Persons who have contracted COVID-19 8,878

Recovered 7,898 (89%)

Deaths Attributed to COVID-19 449 (5%)

Total Current COVID-19 Cases 531

Persons Who Have Been Hospitalized for COVID-19 747 (8%)

Current Hospitalizations 14

Persons Being Monitored in NH (approximate point in time) 2,850