COVID-19 Information

Please use this page for information on COVID-19, Cheshire Medical Center's response to the pandemic, and tips to keep yourself and others safe.

GET THE FACTS AND COMBAT MISCONCEPTIONS: Misconceptions and false rumors about COVID-19 and vaccinations are common. Stay alert, ask good questions, and check the facts. View Factcheck.org's COVID-19 and Vaccination page, available in English & Spanish. 

COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions

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.

To schedule COVID-19 testing, fill out the online form at cheshiremed.org/testing or call 603-354-6700. We will contact you within 2 business days to schedule a test.

For evaluation and care for possible COVID-19 symptoms, call your Primary Care team at 603-354-5400.

If you already have a scheduled appointment, call your provider's office at 603-354-5400. Your provider may schedule a telemedicine virtual visit with you instead, or agree to postpone your appointment.

For Urgent Primary Care Visits, including urgent virtual visits call 603-354-5484.

How can I be tested for COVID-19?

Please visit our COVID-19 testing page.

How does COVID-19 spread?

Covid-19 spreads most easily through close contact from person to person, such as between people who are physically near each other, or through the air in enclosed spaces.

It spreads through respiratory droplets that come out of a person's mouth or nose, so you can easily catch Covid-19:

• If you are breathing in air within six feet of a person who is infected, or are in an enclosed room with an infected person for approximately ten minutes or more.
• If an infected person coughs or sneezes and you get splashes or sprays into your eyes, nose, or mouth.
• If you get droplets on your hands that are then transferred to your eyes, nose, or mouth.

You can spread it without having symptoms

People who are infected but do not show symptoms can also spread the virus to others—with the Delta covid variant, this includes vaccinated people spreading the virus. 

• Some people with COVID-19 can spread the virus without knowing they have it because they do not experience any symptoms (asymptomatic state).
• Others can spread the virus without knowing they have it because they have not developed symptoms yet (pre-symptomatic state). 

Evidence shows 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 in enclosed spaces and around unvaccinated people. Learn more on the CDC's COVID-19 Spread page.

How can I help prevent infection?

Please visit our COVID-19 Prevention and Caring for patients at home pages.

Why is vaccination important?

Fully vaccinated individuals are much less likely to

• get sick from COVID-19 with symptoms 
• become severely ill and need hospitalization due to COVID-19 and related complications
• develop "long covid" or Post Acute Covid Syndrome (PACS)
• die from COVID-19 or realated complications

Fully vaccinated people who become ill enough to be hospitalized are usually in very poor health or taking medicines that suppress their immune systems. 

The new Delta strain of COVID can be spread by vaccinated people as well as the unvaccinated. However, they are much less likely to become as severely ill or sick for as long as unvaccinated people.

So vaccinating as many people as possible in our community still reduces the spread of the virus significantly, therefore helping to protect those who do not have strong immune systems.

Learn more on our COVID-19 Vaccination page.

What is the difference between quarantine and self-isolation?

View NH DHHS information on quarantine (PDF) and self-isolation (PDF).

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.

Additional questions and references

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.

• New Hampshire
• Vermont

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 sick
• Travel guidance
• Cases and latest updates throughout the U.S.

Dartmouth-Hitchcock's Patient Education

• Information about COVID-19
• Resources for parents from the Children's Hospital at Dartmouth

Maps

Situation maps are available from many resources. We recommend the World Health Organization situation or Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center status map:

• World Health Organization situation map
• Johns Hopkins situation map
• New Hampshire COVID-19 infections by town (scroll down for map)
• New Hampshire population vaccinated by town

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. 

• Coronavirus: What People with Cancer Should Know

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 people who are pregnant or breastfeeding
• Learn about COVID-19 vaccination for those who are trying to be or currently pregnant