Manchester to begin targeted COVID-19 testing

Mar. 19--MANCHESTER -- Emergency management officials in Manchester announced Thursday the city will begin targeted testing for COVID-19, in accordance with updated testing guidelines provided by the Department of Health and Human Services.

Health care providers are determining who should be tested, city officials said.

According to a release, COVID-19 testing supplies are limited, and to preserve resources priority will be given to symptomatic healthcare professionals, first responders, and other critical workforce members in the community who are caring for people in high-risk groups.

High-risk groups include older adults (60 years and older) and/or people with serious chronic conditions, such as heart disease, lung disease, and diabetes, for example.

Claremont councilor closes restaurant

Claremont City Councilor Nick Koloski shut down Time-Out Sports Bar and Grill, the restaurant he runs with his mother, Mary Koloski, rather than try to keep going with take-out-only orders during the COVID-19 restrictions.

"I was faced with the decision to limp along or do what's fair for employees," Koloski said.

Koloski's three longtime employees are now free to sign up for unemployment, he said. Koloski ran the restaurant and his escape room entertainment business, Escape Factory, out of the Topstone Mill building on Mulberry Street.

Koloski said he has been building his Escape Factory business for years and was starting to see it gain traction in recent months.

"The escape room side of the business has dropped to zero," he said. "We had several large corporate and school field trip bookings. All gone."

Erica Sweetser, another city councilor, has already been laid off from her server job at Taverne on the Square, which is doing take-out orders only, per Gov. Chris Sununu's order on Monday.

"A lot of restaurant employees are young, with kids, who now can't go to school either," she said.

Sweetser fears a lot of restaurants will be unable to reopen once the pandemic measures are lifted, potentially leaving a lot of people out of work.

HHS ends in-person interviews for state welfare, other assistance

The state agency that processes applications for welfare, food stamps and other public assistance will no longer take applications by the public in person due to concerns regarding COVID-19, state officials announced Thursday.

This ban on "client-facing" activity will continue "until further notice," officials said.

The district offices of the Bureau of Family Assistance across the state will remain open to take these requests either by telephone or online.

People in need of assistance may apply for benefits at www.nheasy.nh.gov and will be scheduled for a phone interview in order to complete their application.

Those with no internet access who are applying for assistance through the agency should call 1-844-275-3447.

Manchester launches online form for those looking to donate time, money or resources

Manchester Mayor Joyce Craig announced Thursday the city has developed a form for people to fill out to donate time, money or resources after receiving numerous phone calls and emails from people wanting to know what they can do to help during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"The support we've seen from across our community is incredible," said Craig. "I want to thank everyone for all they've done over the last week. We are facing an unprecedented time in our city's history, and many things are unknown. But, residents across the Queen City have stepped forward and offered help to our health care providers, our first responders, our students and more. It makes me so proud to be from Manchester."

Individuals looking to donate time, services, resources or funding can visit the Manchester Emergency Operations Center Page, or visit: https://www.manchesternh.gov/Departments/Fire/Emergency-Center/COVID19-How-Can-I-Helphttps://www.manchesternh.gov/Departments/Fire/Emergency-Center/COVID19-How-Can-I-Help

City officials said if a need arises that fits your particular options, someone will reach out to you.

Residents with questions surrounding COVID-19 can direct them to COVID19@manchesternh.gov

Manchester police waive fees for electronic records requests

Manchester police announced Thursday the department is waiving fees associated with obtaining incident or accident reports if those documents are sent electronically, in an effort to minimize face to face contact between personnel and the public.

Anyone in need of a copy of an incident or accident report who is unable to receive the documents electronically is asked to call ahead at 668-8711 before heading to police headquarters.

"All emergency calls will be handled as usual, including crimes in progress, those of a violent

nature, or crimes against a person," Manchester police said in a release. "The number of officers on the streets has not decreased. We are working diligently to continue to provide the same level of service the city expects and deserves. We understand this ever changing situation has many people on edge, and this is unchartered territory for everyone."

Hannaford schedules special hours for seniors

Hannaford Supermarkets announced effective March 24 that its stores will offer dedicated shopping hours for people age 60 and older, as well as those with compromised immune systems. Stores will open early from 6 a.m. to 7 a.m. on Tuesday through Thursday.

In addition, Hannaford is shortening its general store-operating hours starting Saturday in order to provide for additional time to clean, stock shelves and give workers additional time to rest, the company said in a release Thursday. The new daily hours are 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Union Leader Reporter Paul Feely and Kevin Landrigan and Correspondent Damien Fisher contributed to this report.

Paul Feely is the City Hall reporter for the New Hampshire Union Leader and Sunday News. Reach him at pfeely@unionleader.com

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