Advertisement New Hampshire health officials announce fifth positive COVID-19 test in state First round of self-monitoring, self-quarantine process completed

A fifth person in New Hampshire has tested positive for COVID-19, health officials said Tuesday.>> Download the FREE WMUR appThe patient, a man from Rockingham County, tested positive in Massachusetts after being exposed to another patient who had tested positive. Officials said an investigation is underway to determine who the man came in contact with.>> COVID-19 in New Hampshire: What you need to know"We look at when the individual's symptoms began," said Dr. Benjamin Chan, the state epidemiologist. "We go back about 24 hours and then forward from there to try and identify what community exposures happened during that time."Chan said the virus is easily transmitted from person to person but dries out quickly on surfaces."If someone sneezes and touches a door handle, for example, once those respiratory droplets dry out, the virus should not live very long on the surface," he said.New Hampshire has about 100 tests for the coronavirus, and more are on order from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Officials said some private labs are also offering testing. Symptomatic people are the most likely to spread the virus, Chan said."Presymptomatic transmission is certainly possible, but this is a global epidemic that is primarily being driven by symptomatic people who are coughing, sneezing, spreading the virus through respiratory droplets," he said.Experts said it takes two to 14 days to develop symptoms, and there is often a lag time for people between exposure and exhibiting symptoms. "There has not been broader or sustained community transmission identified yet in New Hampshire," Chan said. "We're certainly keeping our eyes out for that."Chan said 228 people in New Hampshire are being monitored for symptoms of the coronavirus. He said 68 people have provided specimens for testing, and 53 people have tested negative.A number of people who were being monitored -- including those who participated in school trips to affected areas -- have completed their quarantines and show no signs of illness, officials said. Health officials said their cooperation has prevented the potential spread of COVID-19.Symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, cough and difficulty breathing. Anyone who thinks they might have the disease is encouraged to call their health care provider and discuss their symptoms and any recent travel. 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