Harrison Thorp 8 a.m.
Wednesday, December 1, 2021 8:02 am

CONCORD - A relentless surge in COVID hospitalization is sending some Granite Staters to hospital beds as far away as Albany, N.Y., state officials announced on Tuesday.

Tuesday's COVID numbers from DHHS included 902 new positive cases, 19 deaths including a Strafford County woman under 60; and 392 hospitalizations, a new record for the fourth straight day.

To combat the surge DHHS Commissioner Lor Shibinette annoucned the creation of eight "strike teams" comprising health care workers from other states that will set up temporary hospital services in underused elderly congregate living facilities across New Hampshire.

New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu said he expects the surge to continue for at least a few more weeks, much as it is in other New England States. He said roughly $63 million in federal grants will be used to fund the strike team initiative.

Meanwhile, 900,000 free at-home COVID test kits that state residents were able to sign up for on Monday were gone in less than 24 hours.

State epidemiologists Dr. Benjamin Chan had more grim news at Tuesday's press conference where he announced the positivity rate has now reached its highest since the surge last winter.

Health officials also announced a Booster Blitz for Dec. 11.