CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — At least six substance use recovery homes have closed in New Hampshire since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, according to the state's Democratic Congressional delegation.

U.S. Sens. Jeanne Shaheen and Maggie Hassan and U.S. Reps. Annie Kuster and Chris Pappas wrote to Congressional leaders Friday seeking increased funding for substance use disorder prevention, treatment and recovery programs in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

They said while drug overdose deaths were trending down in New Hampshire before the pandemic, preliminary data suggests an increase over the last few months. And while providers have been innovative in meeting the challenges posed by the pandemic, they are struggling financially, the group wrote.

“As COVID-19 strains both people and providers, it has become more critical than ever that Congress provide substantial funding for substance use disorder efforts,” they wrote. “Congress must continue to play a role in supporting communities devastated by COVID-19 and the substance misuse crisis.”

The earlier round of federal coronavirus aid included $425 million for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

In other coronavirus-related developments:

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WORKER PROTECTION

Republican Gov. Chris Sununu on Friday vetoed a bill aimed at protecting workers during the coronavirus pandemic, calling it “a terribly written and poorly thought out bill that puts New Hampshire citizens at risk.”

The bill, part of a package of pandemic-related legislation pushed by Senate Democrats, would have provided unpaid leave for those affected by the virus and waived insurance cost-sharing for testing and treatment of COVID-19. It also would have provided personal protective equipment to small businesses and used federal money to upgrade the state's unemployment system computers.

But it was the provisions related to unemployment benefits, including permanently waiving eligibility requirements for those citing the virus as a reason, that Sununu found particularly problematic. He said the provisions would have left the state out of compliance with federal law and jeopardized $30 million in federal funding.

“Our job is to open doors of opportunity in times of need, not cut off federal support when families are struggling,” he said in his veto message.

Supporters of the bill noted that it contained a clause that would have eliminated those provisions if the federal government found the state out of compliance. Senate Majority Leader Dan Feltes, D-Concord, called the veto an attack on small businesses, worker safety and public health.

“Sununu continues to sweep our broken unemployment insurance system under the rug, opposes testing and health care for those impacted by COVID-19, and refuses to advance worker safety, including free PPE for small businesses,” he said in a statement.

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ELECTION 2020

New Hampshire is temporarily streamline its absentee voting process amid concerns about the coronavirus.

While the attorney general’s office already had said voters concerned about the virus could cast absentee ballots by indicating they have a “disability,” Gov. Chris Sununu signed a bill Friday creating a new box to check that specifies the virus as the reason for not voting in person.

The new law also will allow voters to use one application to receive absentee ballots for both the Sept. 8 state primary and Nov. 3 general election. And it will allow town officials to begin processing ballots several days before the election, though they could not view them or tally the votes until Election Day.

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UNH SPORTS

University of New Hampshire athletes won't be competing this fall because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The university's athletic department said Friday that no sports teams will compete in the upcoming semester. The announcement applies to men’s cross country, men’s soccer, football, women’s cross country, field hockey, women’s soccer and women’s volleyball.

Officials said once classes start and safety protocols are in place, athletes will be allowed to practice and work out. The university also has cancelled homecoming weekend and its family weekend in October.

Decisions about winter sports will be made in early fall.

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THE NUMBERS

As of Thursday, 6,139 people had tested positive for the virus in New Hampshire, an increase of 27 from the previous day. One new death was announced, bringing the total to 395. The number of infections is thought to be far higher because many people have not been tested, and studies suggest people can be infected with the virus without feeling sick.

For most people, the virus causes mild or moderate symptoms. For some, especially older adults and the infirm, it can cause more severe illness and can lead to death.