Please use this page for information on COVID-19, Cheshire Medical Center's response to the pandemic, and tips on how you can keep you and your family safe.
What’s on this page?
- Is information on COVID-19 available in other languages?
- How does COVID-19 spread?
- How can I help prevent infection?
- Where can I learn more about vaccination?
- What if I develop symptoms that could be COVID-19?
- What if I need medical care and I may have COVID-19?
- How can I be tested for COVID-19?
- What is the difference between quarantine and self-isolation?
- Additional questions and references
Is information about COVID-19 available for non-English speaking or Limited English Proficient (LEP) community members?
Dartmouth-Hitchcock's Information in Other Languages page provides resources for non-English speaking or Limited English Proficient (LEP) community members and American Sign Language (ASL) users.
How does COVID-19 spread?
Covid-19 spreads most easily through close contact from person to person, including between people who are physically near each other or in enclosed spaces. Learn more about close contact.
Without symptoms
People who are infected but do not show symptoms can also spread the virus to others. In fact, evidence suggests people may be most likely to spread the virus to others during the 48 hours before they start to experience symptoms. This is why wearing a mask is important, even when you don't feel ill. Learn more on the CDC's COVID-19 Spread page.
Community spread
Our region is currently experiencing "community spread" which means some people have been infected with the virus who are not sure how or where they became infected. For more information, visit the NH DHHS COVID-19 page.
How can I help prevent infection?
Please visit our COVID-19 Prevention and Caring for patients at home pages.
Where can I learn more about vaccination?
Please see our COVID-19 Vaccine FAQ page for more information.
What if I develop symptoms that could be COVID-19?
Please visit our Exposure and Symptoms page.
What if I need medical care and I may have COVID-19?
If you have been exposed to COVID-19 in the last 10 days or have symptoms that may be COVID-19, please call ahead if you plan to seek any kind of medical care. This includes coming in for scheduled appointments.
You can reach Cheshire Medical Center at 603-354-5400 if you already have a scheduled appointment. Your provider may schedule a telemedicine virtual visit with you instead.
For home-care recommendations from a nurse or to schedule testing, call 603-354-6700.
- Press one (1) to request a testing appointment.
- Press two (2) to speak to a nurse for recommendations.
For Urgent Primary Care Visits, including urgent virtual visits and possible respiratory evaluation, call 603-354-5484.
How can I be tested for COVID-19?
Please visit our COVID-19 testing page.
What is the difference between quarantine and self-isolation?
View NH DHHS information on quarantine (PDF) and self-isolation (PDF).
To learn more about what to do if you or a member of your household needs self-quarantine or self-isolation, review guidance from Dartmouth-Hitchcock on Self Quarantine vs. Self Isolation.
Heads Up: Understanding the COVID-19 Vaccine
In this 20-minute webinar, our experts address common concerns about the COVID-19 vaccines, anxiety toward the vaccines, herd immunity, and the different COVID-19 variants.
Additional questions and references
The following resources are provided to assist our community in locating information and resources about COVID-19.
State Department of Health
Please reference the State Department of Health for the state in which you reside for the latest local/state related information.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offers leading information about the U.S. response and guidance centered on COVID-19. Topics include:
- Preparation
- Symptoms & Testing
- If you are at higher risk
- If you are sick
- Travel guidance
- Cases and latest updates throughout the U.S.
Dartmouth-Hitchcock's Patient Education
Children's Hospital at Dartmouth-Hitchcock (CHaD)
Maps
Situation maps are available from many resources. We recommend the World Health Organization situation or Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center status map:
National Cancer Institute at the National Institutes of Health
The National Cancer Institute (NCI) offers guidance on your risk of coronavirus infection and precautions if you are being treated for cancer.
Information for pregnant patients
For women who are pregnant or nursing, COVID-19 brings lots of questions unique to this experience. Dartmouth-Hitchcock's FAQ will help address these questions and concerns.
- Learn how COVID-19 affects pregnant women
- Understand how breastfeeding or breast milk may be affected by COVID-19
Responding to the COVID-19 Pandemic
As the COVID-19 pandemic swept across the country earlier this year, hospitals were taxed in unprecedented ways. This fall, Cheshire staff have been planning for the respiratory virus season that awaits.