Senator Fuller Clark Statement on Spouse’s Positive COVID-19 Test
Contact Name: Sara Persechino
Phone: (603) 271-3479
Email: Sara.Persechino@leg.state.nh.us
CONCORD—Today, Senator Martha Fuller Clark (D-Portsmouth) released information that her spouse has tested positive for COVID-19. While she is at risk, she has not yet experienced symptoms. To the extent members of the public were in close contact with Senator Fuller Clark between March 7 and March 15, they should follow the below state guidelines to protect themselves and others:
Division of Public Health Services Self-Quarantine Guide: https://www.nh.gov/covid19/residents/documents/self-quarantine-covid.pdf
Division of Public Health Services Self-Observation Guide: https://www.nh.gov/covid19/residents/documents/self-observation-covid.pdf
After the announcement, Senator Fuller Clark released the following statement:
“While my husband is feeling under the weather, his symptoms are not critical and we have been in self-isolation since Tuesday. After my husband received the positive test result today, we felt it was our responsibility to inform the public so that others may take the necessary precautions to self-observe and self-quarantine as necessary.
It is so important at this critical time in our state for people to be proactive instead of reactive. To the degree people are able, they should self isolate because it is unclear who is a carrier and who is going to get sick. The best way to avoid community spread is to stay home. I am so grateful for the medical providers who have assisted our family, and for every health care worker, public official, first responder, grocery worker, and daycare provider who are doing all they can to keep New Hampshire as healthy and safe as possible as we all work together to curb the impact of coronavirus.”
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Background:
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) describes that persons at risk for contracting the illness is primarily for those who have had close personal contact. Close personal contact is defined as:
a) being within approximately 6 feet (2 meters) of a person with COVID-19 for a prolonged period of time; close contact can occur while caring for, living with, visiting, or sharing a health care waiting area or room with a COVID-19 case or;
b) having direct contact with infectious secretions of a COVID-19 case (e.g., being coughed on).
It is important to note that simply being in a room or building with a person with COVID-19 does not qualify as close contact.