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What is the “Evusheld” treatment and how does it work?

Evusheld is a pre-COVID protection option developed by AstraZeneca that combines two monoclonal antibodies (tixagevimab and cilgavimab) in one injection. In a study of persons who were at high risk of severe illness, hospitalization, or death from COVID-19 because they were immunocompromised or ineligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccination, Evusheld was shown to reduce the risk of developing COVID-19 compared to those who received a placebo.

As part of the continuing process to acquire the McIntyre Building, the US Government General Services Administration has given the City permission to use the parking lot behind the building, on the corner of Penhallow and Bow Streets, for public parking.

As shown below, various Portsmouth departments have different office hours and closures in effect during this holiday season. Those with car registrations and other business that must be completed by the end of the month and year should note that City Hall will not be open on New Year’s Eve, December 31, 2021.

City Hall

Mayor Rick Becksted has announced that the Grand Marshals for the 2021 Illuminated Holiday Parade & Food Drive on Saturday, December 4, 2021 are the “Project Planter Box” team – the students and advisors who designed, built and filled the wood planters that topped the street-dining barricades all summer. The Grand Marshals will lead the parade that kicks off the holiday season in Portsmouth.

The City’s 2021 Holiday Tree-Lighting, Illuminated Holiday Parade and Food Drive will be held on Saturday, December 4 (rain/snow date is Sunday, Dec 5) at 6 pm. Portsmouth’s Illuminated Holiday Parade takes place on the first Saturday in December following the annual Tree Lighting ceremony from 5 to 5:30 pm.

Contractors for the City of Portsmouth Department of Public Works will begin work on a project to replace sewer force mains on Peirce Island on Monday, November 29, 2021, and continuing to June 2022. Construction and equipment on and adjacent to Peirce Island Road and on the Peirce Island Road Bridge will impede traffic, on an intermittent basis, on weekdays between 7 am and 6 pm.

Portsmouth NH 400, Inc. has revealed the logo for the anniversary celebration that will be used to denote official events, projects, programs and merchandise. The logo was designed as a pro-bono donation by Darci Creative of Portsmouth, with input from the Portsmouth NH 400 Executive Team and Task Force Management Team.

City Manager Karen Conard is pleased to announce the selection of Beverly Mesa Zendt, AICP as the new City Planning and Development Director. She is expected to start work on January 10, 2022.

The New Hampshire Department of Revenue Administration has approved the City’s 2021 tax rate for Fiscal Year 2022 of $15.03 per $1,000 of valuation.

Jonathan Evans, Air Noise Program Manager for the NH Department of Transportation, Bureau of Environment, Assistant Commissioner Bill Cass and John Corcoran, Administrator of the Bureau of Turnpikes provided a brief overview of the noise assessment efforts related to the request for sound barriers along I-95 in the area of New Franklin School and in the area of Pannaway Manor, as well as Coakley Drive and Echo Ave.