Virus news: State allocates $12M for performance venues

CONCORD, N.H. (AP) - Live entertainment venues are getting a boost, and business organizations in the White Mountains are banding together. Developments in the coronavirus pandemic in New Hampshire:

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PERFORMANCE VENUES

New Hampshire theaters, concert halls and other live performance venues can now apply for as much as $1.5 million each from the state’s federal virus relief aid.

The state is allocating $12 million of its $1.25 billion for a new relief program for businesses that host live theatrical presentations, music, sporting or racing events that are seated, ticketed and open to the public. The program is open to both for-profit and nonprofit facilities, and the application process began Monday.

While some venues have been able to remain open with fewer shows and limited capacity during the pandemic, many shows and events have been postponed or canceled.

“Live performance venues are the lifeblood of many communities and serve as an economic engine that drives tourism to help sustain main street businesses, restaurants, and hotels,” Gov. Chris Sununu said in a statement. “To lose these venues would be an economic blow that would have a widespread and profoundly negative ripple effect felt across these communities for many years to come.”

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REGIONAL MARKETING COOPERATION

Six chambers of commerce in northern New Hampshire are working together to promote tourism, recruit the workforce, educate visitors about the coronavirus and provide protective equipment to small businesses.

The organizations together were awarded $295,000 from the state’s federal virus relief aid and will use it to work alongside Ski New Hampshire and the White Mountains Attractions Association on programs to serve the White Mountain region, officials said Monday.

The programs include a “White Mountains 100-mile Challenge” in which visitors will participate in a scavenger hunt and compete for prizes by visiting some of the 100 suggested stops, such as restaurants, shops or attractions. Officials said the challenge encourages social distancing.

The education program will be called “Granite State Safe,” and was inspired by visitors who showed a “heightened level of disrespect” in parks, hiking trails and elsewhere during the summer.

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THE NUMBERS

As of Monday, 8,680 people had tested positive for the virus in New Hampshire, an increase of 35 from the previous day. One new death was announced, bringing the total to 444.

The seven-day rolling average of daily new cases in New Hampshire has risen over the past two weeks from 36 new cases per day on Sept. 20 to 61 new cases per day on Oct. 4.

For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia or death.