Booster Blitz Forecast — Freezing Rain Could Slow The Trip

It's Booster Blitz Day in New Hampshire and freezing rain in the forecast could be a factor in getting to the shot locations.

Nearly 12,000 COVID-19 booster shots will be administered on Saturday at 14 locations around the state including the Rochester Armory and the Cooperative Middle School in Stratham. Most of the appointments were reserved in less than 24 hours and many will be driving to unfamiliar areas to receive their booster.

60 members of the NH National Guard will support the Blitz at locations throughout the state.

All of New Hampshire and most of Maine are under a Winter Weather Advisory until 2 p.m. Saturday afternoon as freezing rain could slicken up untreated roads, according to the National Weather Service in Gray, Maine.

As temperatures warm up from the 30s into the 50s the freezing rain will turn to plain rain by noon in the Seacoast area and across southern New Hampshire as temperatures rise. Forecasters expected the freezing rain to linger into the afternoon in interior areas.

Temperatures will continue to warm Saturday evening before a cold front sweeps through the area Saturday night with gusty winds and seasonably mild temperatures in the 40s for Sunday, according to the Gray forecasters.

The Booster Blitz is part of New Hampshire's strategy to use COVID-19 vaccinations and booster shots to slow the "Winter Surge" which has left the state with the highest number of cases in the country.

“The Booster Blitz is a great opportunity to get a COVID-19 booster dose and protect yourself, your family, and your community this holiday season. The number of New Hampshire residents who signed up in such a short amount of time is a source of hope as we all work together to protect our most vulnerable from COVID-19," Health Commissioner Lori Shibinette said.

If you need to cancel your appointment, please call 603-271-1000.

Another "blitz" will be scheduled for January with a date and locations to be announced.

Maine also has a Booster Blitz on Saturday with two walk-in locations at the Augusta Armory from 9 a.m.- 4 p.m. and Mechanics’ Hall in Portland from noon - 3 p.m.

Numbers Level Off

As of Friday the number of reported positive cases appeared to have leveled off for the moment with 1,146 new cases and 10,138 total active cases, according to the state COVID-19 dashboard.

Rockingham County continues to have the highest number of active cases with 1,920, according to the state COVID-19 dashboard, while Stafford County has 943.

55% of eligible New Hampshire residents have received the full COVID-19 vaccination.

Hospitals in New Hampshire continue to be stressed by the number of hospitalizations which stands at 466, still among the highest since the start of the pandemic in late winter 2020.

Gov. Chris Sununu said members of the National Guard and FEMA are being brought in to take care of "backroom tasks" like food service and clerical work to free up staff.

Contact reporter Dan Alexander at Dan.Alexander@townsquaremedia.com or via Twitter @DanAlexanderNH