DHHS Announces Potential Community Exposures Connected To Positive Cases of COVID-19 at Gate City Church in Nashua
CONCORD – The state Department of Health and Human Services is investigating a potential outbreak of COVID-19 associated with individuals who have attended events hosted by the Gate City Church, located at 43 Main Street, Nashua.
This includes a multi-day prayer session held from Sept. 19th – 28th. To date, seven persons with COVID-19 have been identified with connections to the church community. DHHS and the Nashua Division of Public Health and Community Services are investigating these illnesses further and the church has moved to hosting virtual services only.
Any individuals who attended events associated with Gate City Church since September 19th may have been exposed to COVID-19 and should observe for illness and seek testing. For information on testing options available throughout the State, please visit https://www.dhhs.nh.gov/dphs/cdcs/covid19/documents/covid-testing-sites.pdf.
For persons without health insurance or a primary care provider, testing is available and can be scheduled by calling (603) 271-5980 or through completing the online form at https://business.nh.gov/DOS_COVID19Testing.
COVID-19 can present with a wide range of symptoms including fever, chills, cough, shortness of breath, runny nose, nasal congestion, sore throat, fatigue, headache, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or loss of taste or smell. Any person who develops new symptoms should stay home, limit their contact with others, immediately contact their healthcare provider and get tested for COVID-19. Guidance for self-observation is available at: https://www.dhhs.nh.gov/dphs/cdcs/covid19/documents/self-observation-covid.pdf
COVID-19 continues to circulate in our communities. People can protect themselves and help prevent further infections in our communities by:
· Washing your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.
· Avoiding close contact with others. When outside your home, keep a distance of at least 6 feet between yourself and others. This is known as social distancing.
· Wearing a cloth face covering that covers your mouth and nose to protect others when in public areas.
· Covering your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, then throw the tissue in the trash and wash your hands.
· Avoiding touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.
· Staying home if you have a fever or are not feeling well.
· Cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched objects and surfaces.
