By NANCY WEST, InDepthNH.org

CONCORD – The seventh person diagnosed with COVID-19 is a woman from Rockingham County who spent five recent workdays at the Manchester branch of the state Division of Motor Vehicles, according to a state Department of Health and Human Services news release.

The department has determined that the woman was at the Manchester branch of the DMV at 377 South Willow St., on the following days and is investigating who may have been in contact with her:

Monday, March 2, from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm

Tuesday, March 3, from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm

Wednesday, March 4, from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm

Thursday, March 5, from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm

Tuesday, March 10, from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm

In the release issued at 10 p.m. Friday, hours after Gov. Chris Sununu declared a COVID-19 State of Emergency, the state said anyone who was in the Manchester DMV on those days and has developed symptoms should stay home, limit their contact with others, and immediately contact their healthcare provider.

 Any individual who is symptomatic but does not have a healthcare provider should contact DHHS at (603) 271-4496.

The adult female from Rockingham County notified her healthcare provider after developing symptoms. There is an ongoing investigation to identify people with close contact before she self-isolated.

 The press release doesn’t say if she works at the DMV. The Manchester DMV, which is in Hillsborough County, will be closed on Saturday, March 14, for enhanced cleaning and to allow DHHS to conduct the contact investigation.

The press release states:

Any person who has been identified as a close contact will be notified directly by DHHS.

Any individuals who entered the Manchester DMV during those days and times may have been potentially exposed to the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19 and should monitor their health for fever or respiratory illness.

Any person who develops fever or respiratory symptoms (e.g., cough, shortness of breath) should stay home away from others and seek health advice by phone from a healthcare provider to discuss symptoms and any risk factors for COVID-19. Self-observation guidance can be found here.

Given the increasing numbers of infections globally and around the United States to protect themselves and help prevent further community spread, all persons should:

Stay home and avoid public places when sick (i.e. social distancing)

Cover mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing

Wash hands frequently

Avoid being within 6 feet (close contact) of a person who is sick

Avoid sharing drinks, smoking/vaping devices, or other utensils or objects that may transmit saliva

Disinfect frequently touched surfaces

For more information on COVID-19 in NH, please visit https://www.dhhs.nh.gov/dphs/cdcs/2019-ncov.htm. For the latest information from the CDC, please visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html.