One new death from the novel coronavirus was reported Friday in New Hampshire bringing the state's total to 22, according to the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services.
There are now 885 confirmed cases of COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, an increase of 66 from Thursday.
Of the confirmed cases, 234 patients have recovered, according to Lori Shibinette, commissioner of the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services.
Speaking at a Friday news conference with Gov. Chris Sununu, Shibinette said health care workers continue to make up 25-30% of the positive cases.
The governor said Peterborough-based SoClean will be delivering 175,000 KN95 masks to over 200 health care facilities this weekend to help with the personal protective equipment shortage.
Earlier in the day, Sununu visited a new surge flex facility at NHTI-Concord's Community College. State officials say they hope they never need to use the facility.
"We all pray that the day never comes when we have open this door," Sununu said.
The college's wellness center has been turned into a surge hospital for COVID-19 positive patients and has more than 200 beds. State officials say they now have over 5,000 beds total, enough for a potential surge of positive cases in the next few weeks.
"If something should happen to you, a loved one, a family member, someone in the community, there is going to be a bed there," Sununu said.
The surge flex facility at the college is one of more than a dozen set up across the state.
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Area hospitals and the National Guard are assisting to make sure the clinics are up and running with enough equipment. The Federal Emergency Management Agency is covering the bulk of the cost.
"This is the type of crisis that can get exponential very, very quickly. It's all about being prepared. My job is to prepare for the worst and hope for the best," the governor said.
Should the facility need to be opened, it can be ready as soon as Wednesday, officials said.
Dr. Benjamin Chan, state epidemiologist for the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services released a new model Thursday showing the number of New Hampshire deaths, infections and hospitalizations and said the state appears to be doing a good job "flattening the curve" when compared to neighboring states.
