Report gives NH high marks for COVID-19 response
Aug. 26—CONCORD — A state-paid consultant's report concluded that New Hampshire showed "strong leadership and sound judgment" in its response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Tidal Basin Government Consulting wrote the after-action report, which included interviews with state employees and external partners along with document analysis and surveys.
"New Hampshire repeatedly demonstrated strong leadership and sound judgment when coordinating resources, implementing policies, and communicating with the public," the report concluded.
Gov. Chris Sununu released the report Monday and said it was consistent with the work of other groups that compared how state governments dealt with COVID-19.
"In ranking after ranking, New Hampshire's approach was heralded for our groundbreaking vaccine and testing distribution, reopening guidelines that put stakeholders in the driver's seat, supporting our small businesses, and getting kids back in the classroom," Sununu said.
"New Hampshire's success is not because of government, it's because of countless individuals across the community who came together in our response and recovery. To every Granite Stater, I say thank you."
Among those surveyed, 82% said the state issued "timely, accurate and coordinated communications" about the pandemic, Sununu said.
Over a 15-month period through mid-June 2021, Sununu hosted 111 press conferences, issued 250 press releases and made more than 4,000 postings on social media about the pandemic.
The state's call center took in 211 million calls, Sununu said.
The report found the Sununu-created, Governor's Office for Emergency Relief and Recovery was efficient in how it funneled more than $2 billion in federal aid.
Sununu said state agency heads are now reviewing some of the recommendations made in the report on how to further improve the state's response to emergencies.
