HANOVER — Dartmouth-Hitchcock is severely curtailing visitors’ access across its locations in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. And in an email to staff, President and CEO Joanne Conroy announced revised testing procedures
The changes, which both take effect Wednesday, mean that with limited exceptions, non-patients will not be allowed in patient rooms, general waiting areas, emergency departments, clinics and the Cafe, according to an email sent to employees on Tuesday night.
“Exceptions will be made for the neonatal ICU, partner or spouse of patients in our Birthing Pavilion or those visiting patients receiving end-of-life care,” according to the email.
Conroy, in the email, said that D-H “will now focus on the testing of hospitalized patients, and those who work in health care settings with direct, face-to-face patient contact, including first responders. Others who have symptoms including fever, cough and shortness of breath are asked to self-isolate at home. The recommendation for the duration of the home isolation period is at least seven days from the onset of symptoms, to have no fever for at least three days and a resolution of symptoms before leaving your home. It is recommended that others in the home also quarantine during this time to help limit spread.”
Patients whose condition worsens should call their health care provider or local emergency department to determine if they require hospitalization.
Dartmouth College late Tuesday said students won’t return to campus at all this spring and that many facilities that are often open to the general public also will be closing.
Instead, students will take classes online for the whole spring term.
“The rapid spread of COVID-19 and the local and national events that have occurred over the past two days have led us to conclude that we must take additional measures to protect and support our campus and the local community,” Provost Joseph Helble said in a Dartmouth-wide email
The changes come as New Hampshire has announced 26 cases of the new coronavirus in the state, including several in Grafton County, one involving a Dartmouth graduate student and two involving employees of Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center.
Dartmouth also said it would suspend all clinical rotations for students at the Geisel School of Medicine, following the recommendation of the Association of American Medical Colleges.
Helble said that all classes, both undergraduate and graduate, will be conducted remotely for the full term. Although the Dartmouth campus will remain open through the 10-week term — and faculty, staff and graduate students will be paid as usual — all events involving 10 or more people through May 8 will be canceled, postponed or moved online.
In addition, Alumni Gymnasium, the Berry Sports Center and the Boss Tennis Center will be closed, effective Wednesday, with facilities to be reopened “as soon as it is safe to do so,” Helble’s email said.
All of Dartmouth’s libraries also will close and remain so until further notice. Updates on library services were to be provided, the email said.
A decision on whether to hold Dartmouth’s graduation and reunion weekends, which occur in mid-June, will be made by April 10.
Vermont Law School also has decided the South Royalton law school should remain closed through at least the end of the spring semester.
The campus initially had been closed until at least March 30. Classes will be conducted remotely, and a decision on commencement and the summer session is pending.
Cynthia W. Lewis, a VLS professor and vice dean for faculty, said in an email to VLS faculty and staff that the American Bar Association and other accreditors support the decision, and that students will earn credit for their spring classes if they pass them through the online format.
New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu announced new emergency orders on Tuesday expanding access to unemployment benefits and banning utility shutoffs and evictions in response to the COVID-19 outbreak.
People unable to work or who have seen their work hours reduced because of the pandemic can now apply for benefits online or through a hotline, Sununu said during a news conference in Concord.
Under Sununu’s order, unemployment benefits will be expanded to:
■ People who are self-quarantining or are ordered to self-quarantine by a health care professional, government officials or employer;
■ Those who need to care for a family member with COVID-19 or who is under quarantine;
■ Individuals caring for a dependent because of school, child care or other program closures;
■ Self-employed people temporarily unable to operate their business.
Anyone looking to access benefits can go to www.nhes.nh.gov and click on the link “File a Claim for Benefits” to begin the application process, or call 603-271-7700.
The average weekly unemployment benefit in New Hampshire is $333. The maximum payment is $427.
Sununu also announced measures banning landlords from starting eviction proceedings against those unable to pay rent. Similarly, foreclosure actions in New Hampshire also are halted while a state of emergency remains in effect, he said.
The governor also said that providers of electric, gas, water, telephone, cable, voice, internet service and deliverable fuel services will be prohibited from disconnecting or discontinuing service for nonpayment for the duration of the state of emergency
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Burlington said that effective Friday, all regularly scheduled public celebrations of the Catholic Mass, sacraments and devotions will be suspended until further notice.
Priests in Vermont will continue to celebrate Mass privately, and baptisms, funerals and weddings may proceed, with attendance “strictly limited” to immediate family members.
“While this is a difficult time for the faithful, we must all do our part to ensure the health and well-being of the larger community by helping prevent the spread of COVID-19. We will continue to monitor the situation and make changes as necessary,” Bishop Christopher Coyne said in a news release.
The Burlington diocese is planning to livestream a local celebration of the Mass daily beginning on Sunday at 10 a.m. See www.vermontcatholic.org/covid-19/ for more information.
In New Hampshire, the Rev. Peter A. Libasci, the bishop of Manchester, said that priests will continue to celebrate daily and Sunday Mass, but that attendance at Mass will not be open to the general public. Pastors are being encouraged to open their churches for extended hours of prayer.
“It pains me terribly to have to make this decision,” Libasci said in a news release, “but we are mindful of our obligation to protect the most vulnerable and protect the common good.”
Social service agencies in the Upper Valley also are preparing for an increased demand for services.
At the Upper Valley Senior Center in Lebanon, congregate meals have been suspended, but the facility is offering home delivery of some meals. People can call 603-448-4213 for information.
Similar adjustments are being made at other senior centers throughout Grafton County.
Michael Redmond of the Upper Valley Haven sent an email on Tuesday to supporters of the nonprofit saying its homeless shelter and food pantry in White River Junction has implemented safeguards to help stop the spread of COVID-19 among its clients and expects that more people will need beds or food assistance.
“I would be remiss not to mention that emergencies of this size and scope come with a greater and more urgent need for funding. People experiencing poverty will feel the effects of COVID-19 intensely and others may find themselves requiring our services for the first time,” Redmond wrote while encouraging donations.
Listen Community Services has closed its thrift stores and will not be accepting used goods until at least March 30.
The Lebanon-based nonprofit said the closing of the stores “will have a significant financial impact” even as more people will need its services, and also appealed for cash donations.
“We are very aware that for many people in the Upper Valley who are living paycheck to paycheck, their ability to support themselves and their families is in serious jeopardy during this national emergency,” Listen said on its Facebook page. “The virus also poses a significant threat to seniors who need food and other supplies.
“We are currently assessing our ability to meet an anticipated increase in demand for our food pantry as well as housing and heating assistance for community members in need.”
Listen said the community dinners typically served in White River Junction “are now available on a ‘to go’ basis” from 5 to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Saturdays, but that the Monday dinner served weekly in Canaan is canceled until further notice.
Several Upper Valley communities are closing their town halls and encouraging people to pay bills online to reduce in-person interactions and stem the spread of the new coronavirus.
Hartford’s town offices will be closed to the public, starting Wednesday, until April 6.
“Operations will still be up and running but in-person transactions will be limited to those of a critical nature (by appointment only),” Town Manager Brannon Godfrey said in a statement.
Water, sewer and property tax payments can be made online at www.hartford-vt.org under “Online Bill Pay” and by mail.
Hanover said Town Hall will be closed the public as of Wednesday, with residents encouraged to use online services at www.hanovernh.org. Drop boxes will also be available.
Enfield closed Whitney Hall to the public on Tuesday and canceled all “non-essential” board meetings in March.
People can pay bills on the town website at www.enfield.nh.us or via mail. There’s also a drop box at the town hall where people can submit checks and other paperwork. Officials ask that people refrain from putting cash in the box.
The playground equipment, including the climbing equipment and swing sets, at Huse Park also was closed to the public.
“Signs will be posted today or tomorrow, but we ask that the public observe this closure effective immediately,” Enfield Town Manager Ryan Aylesworth wrote in a Listserv post.
Claremont City Hall is open with limited services, but the City Clerk’s Office is closed to walk-in traffic.
Tunbridge also closed town offices Tuesday. People can contact the Town Clerk’s Office at tctunbridge@live.com or by calling 802-889-5521.
“If you need to access any records in the town vault, the clerk will happily make an appointment with you to do so,” officials said in a statement.
The New Hampshire DMV also announced that temporary 20-day plates and 20-day dealer-issued plates issued on or after March 1 will receive an automatic extension through April 30.
Police throughout the Granite State will be notified of the change. However, drivers are being instructed to contact other states they plan to drive through to see if the plates will be honored, according to a news release issued by the New Hampshire Department of Public Safety.
The extension does not apply to vehicle registration renewals, which are performed by municipalities.
Drivers licenses and non-driver identification cards that are expired or set to expire between March 1 and April 30 also will be eligible for a six-month extension.
People who intend to take advantage of that extension can call 603-227-4020, and do not need to visit a DMV office, the release said.
The American Red Cross plans to hold a blood drive on Saturday to help ease a national blood supply shortage.
The blood drive will take place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Community Lutheran Church on Main Street in Enfield.
People can sign up for an appointment at www.redcross.org/donate/donation. Officials say they will have a waiting area set up to preserve social distancing.
Tim Camerato can be reached at tcamerato@vnews.com or 603-727-3223.