Sununu orders aid for hospitals; Criticized for “Failure of the vaccination effort”

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By NANCY WEST, InDepthNH.org

CONCORD Governor Chris Sununu on Tuesday announced an executive order to help hospitals increase capacity, but made it clear that even with the highest number of COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations since the start of the pandemic 20 months ago, he was not considering a mask warrant.

It’s a hospital capacity emergency, Sununu said at Monday’s press conference.

The decree will help hospitals to be able to add beds on their campuses in non-traditional spaces and in rehabilitation centers, and will also help resolve licensing issues.

There is no doubt that we are seeing a record number of cases, at record levels of hospitalizations. The winter wave that we predicted is rearing its ugly head and we are definitely suffering from it, Sununu said.

The most important thing to do at this point is to get the shot, Sununu said.

We need everyone to get vaccinated. We need everyone to receive their reminder, Sununu said, announcing the statewide Booster Blitz initiative that will take place on December 11.

On that day, 20 sites will be set up statewide so people can receive their booster shots in time for the holidays. More information will be posted on the state’s website.

The decree is not a new state of emergency, Sununu said. The governor is simply asking the Department of Health and Human Services to help hospitals meet capacity challenges, giving them flexibility, he said.

Minority parliamentary leader Renny Cushing D-Hampton was quick to criticize Sununu after the press conference.

Quite simply, Governor Sununu is failing in our vaccination efforts in New Hampshire. New Hampshire has the lowest vaccination rate in New England and currently has the second highest per capita COVID case in the United States, behind Michigan, Cushing said in a press release.

Cushing said that while additional hospital beds are essential right now, Sununu also needs a plan to tackle the misinformation being peddled by his own party, culminating in the angry mobs that have gathered in the legislative office building last Friday.

Governor Sununu is clearly not doing enough to protect Granite Staters, and our entire healthcare system is paying the price, Cushing said.

COVID Update

At the press conference, state epidemiologist Dr Ben Chan announced 561 new cases of COVID-19 on Tuesday and said the state averages nearly 1,000 new infections per day.

There are currently 7,627 active cases in New Hampshire and four new deaths with 350 people in hospital on Tuesday. The test positivity rate is high at 9.5%, Chan said.

To date, COVID-19 has caused 1,678 deaths in New Hampshire, he said.

Chan said anyone aged 5 and over should get the shot. And anyone 18 or older is eligible for a recall.

We are currently experiencing the highest level of COVID-19 in our communities that we have seen at any time during the pandemic, Chan said.

Outbreaks

Health and Human Services Commissioner Lori Shibinette has announced the closure of six outbreaks in long-term care facilities and the opening of nine new outbreaks.

Toddler Toys

Sununu spoke about the great work being done for Toys for Tots, especially by the US Marines.

It’s time to take a rhythm, breathe, and remember what we need to be grateful for, Sununu said.

Sununu said there might be a pretty bumpy road during the winter surge.

He was asked about other mitigation measures, especially mask warrants which have been a political hot potato.

Were not looking for a mask warrant, Sununu said. Face masks are not the end, Sununu said. Masks at the State House

InDepthNH.org asked Sununu why he is not following the CDC’s recommendation to wear a mask in public buildings where community transmission is high or high, as is the case in New Hampshire, especially when hosting children at the State House when not wearing a face mask.

Sununu said many CDC recommendations contained convoluted messages. He said he was fully vaccinated, but did not directly answer why he refused to wear a mask shaking hands with students. Students all wear face masks during tours, but few adults at the State House wear face masks. Masks are optional at the State House. Sununu criticized the issue as convoluted.

Revolutionary cases

Shibinette said the state does not have precise figures on how many fully vaccinated people receive COVID-19 because they have not been able to aggregate state data with pharmacy data.

She said that 70% of people hospitalized with COVID-19 are not vaccinated and 30% have been vaccinated.

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