NEWPORT — Woodlawn Care Center ended its most recent COVID-19 outbreak last week without any deaths, according to the facility’s administrator.
That’s four fewer deaths than the Newport nursing home had during its outbreak last fall. The facility’s administrator, Chris Martin, credits that to vaccinations.
“We had breakthrough cases — 11 out of 12 cases among staff and residents were fully vaccinated — but deaths and hospitalization (were) down significantly,” Martin said.
The 53-bed nursing home on Pine Street in Newport also had six hospitalizations in last year’s outbreak, which included a total of 57 people; 33 residents and 24 employees. That outbreak lasted 46 days and concluded in mid-December.
The recent outbreak, which lasted 30 days and ended last Thursday, included a total of 12 cases, including seven residents and five employees. Just one resident required hospitalization during the outbreak.
Last year, vaccinations were not yet available, but this year about 80% of workers and 100% of residents have been vaccinated. Vaccinations are not yet required for nursing home workers, but federal officials have said a requirement is coming.
In addition, vaccination helped some residents avoid quarantine during the recent outbreak. During last year’s outbreak the facility had just 17 visits, but this year there were 220. The 44 residents exempt from quarantine this year also were able to meet in small groups throughout the recent outbreak.
Elsewhere in Newport, Summercrest Senior Living on Summer Street appeared on the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Service’s list of long-term care facilities with active outbreaks last week. There were nine cases, including five residents and four employees. No deaths were reported.
CANAAN — Canaan officials are urging residents to get vaccinated and wear masks amid a surge in COVID-19 cases. The town currently has no mask or vaccination requirements.
“The only thing that will save us from this quickly increasing infection is to voluntarily wear masks, voluntarily get shots, get tested if you have the symptoms, stay home if you are sick and keep your children home if they are sick,” a Friday newsletter from the town said.
As of Friday, there had been 32 new cases of COVID-19 in Canaan in the previous two weeks, with 24 of those still active, according to the state dashboard.
A year ago at this time, the town had one new case, according to the town’s newsletter. During the last week of April, Canaan had 8 new cases. But during the last two weeks of September, Canaan had 28 cases. Just 11 of those were among school-age residents, the rest were adults, the town email said.
Meanwhile, just 59% of Canaan residents have had at least one shot of a COVID-19 vaccine.
“That means there are a lot of people who are at risk and a lot who can get it and spread it,” the newsletter said.
CLAREMONT — Claremont will host a pop-up COVID-19 testing clinic starting next week, according to the city’s Facebook page.
The clinic is to be located in River Valley Community College’s back parking lot on College Place in Claremont. It is expected to begin on Monday. The days of the week and times that the clinic will be open have not yet been set, but are being coordinated with state officials and ClearChoiceMD, said City Manager Ed Morris.
In addition, the Claremont Fire Department is scheduled to host a mobile COVID-19 vaccine clinic on Thursday from 9 to 11 a.m. Johnson & Johnson, Moderna and Pfizer vaccines will be available.
Just 44% of Claremont residents have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19, well below the state’s overall rate of 54%.
Nora Doyle-Burr can be reached at ndoyleburr@vnews.com or 603-727-3213.
