DOVER – With the passing of former State Representative Joseph R. Petrilli, Sr. on August 29, Governor Markell has ordered the American and Delaware flags at state buildings and facilities be flown at half-staff on Wednesday, September 2, as a mark of respect for Representative Petrilli and his service to Delaware. Representative Petrilli served in the Delaware House from 1978-1998, representing the Pike Creek area. During his time in the legislature, Representative Petrilli served as House Majority Leader.

Flags are to be returned to full-staff at the close of business on Wednesday, September 2.

The Delaware Division of Corporations reminds its customers that the State will be implementing a major computer system conversion over an extended Labor Day weekend. The Division will close at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, September 3, 2015, and will reopen for business at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, September 8.

The conversion to this new system will require time to complete all necessary tasks including the migration of data and images documenting 116 years of Delaware corporate law filings as well as Uniform Commercial Code filings. As a result, the Division will not be open on Friday, September 4, 2015. The holiday weekend was chosen as state offices will already be closed on Monday, September 7, 2015, in observance of Labor Day.

The completely revamped Delaware Corporation Information System (DCIS) is replacing the existing DCIS system which has been used since 1989. This upgrade will enable the State and its network of authorized online registered agents to offer expanded and improved products and services to customers.

More than 1.1 million active business entities worldwide are incorporated in Delaware including 66 percent of Fortune 500 firms. The new DCIS is a customized system providing a long-term platform for expanded flexibility and functionality for the Division’s customers and employees, and will allow global customers to access information regarding corporations more quickly and efficiently.

All priority submissions (1 hour, 2 hour, same day, and 24 hour) must be received by the Division by noon EDT on Thursday, September 3. The Division anticipates processing all priority submissions (other than 24 hour) on Thursday, September 3, 2015. Additional detail on the conversion including information on the availability of limited emergency services during the closure is available at http://corp.delaware.gov/systemconversioninfo.shtml.

DOVER – Four persons in Delaware have tested positive for West Nile Virus (WNV). The cases, three in New Castle County and one in Kent County were reported to the Division of Public Health (DPH) in mid-late August. None of the individuals reported symptoms. Instead the virus was found as part of bloodwork related to a routine medical procedure. The mosquito-borne illness can become serious and DPH reminds people to take precautions to avoid mosquito bites.

WNV is transmitted by mosquitoes, generally from spring to fall. Although nearly 80 percent of people infected with WNV will not become ill and only a little less than 20 percent of those infected will develop West Nile fever, with mild symptoms (fever, headache, body aches, a skin rash on the chest or back and swollen lymph glands), one in 150 people infected will develop severe infection (West Nile encephalitis or meningitis).

Symptoms of severe WNV infection include headache, high fever, stiff neck, and/or tremors and muscle weakness. The elderly and those with weakened immune systems are most at risk. Anyone who experiences any of these severe symptoms should seek medical help immediately. Symptoms may progress to stupor, disorientation, coma, convulsions, paralysis, and possibly death.

“West Nile Virus may not cause symptoms in most people, but in others it can cause a serious illness or even be fatal,” said DPH Division Director Dr. Karyl Rattay. “It’s easy to forget that something as simple as a mosquito bite can make someone very sick. DPH reminds people to protect themselves and their families during mosquito season, which can last until the first hard frost.”

Mosquitoes also can also carry several other diseases that can make people very sick and/or lead to death. Some human diseases carried by mosquitos in the U.S. include dengue, chikungunya, as well as several viruses that cause brain inflammation (encephalitis) such as Eastern equine encephalitis and Saint Louis encephalitis. To avoid mosquito bites and reduce the risk of infection, individuals should:

• When outside, wear shoes, long-sleeved shirts, and pants. Mosquito netting can protect one’s face and neck, and infants in carriages, strollers, and playpens. Mosquitoes are most active at dusk and during the early-morning hours.

• Mosquito repellents containing DEET can be applied to the skin, but will last only a few hours before reapplication is necessary. Use insect repellent containing less than 50 percent DEET for adults. The current American Academy of Pediatrics and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend using 10 percent to 30 percent DEET for children older than 2 months old. The higher the strength, the longer the DEET provides protection which varies from two to five hours.

• Read labels carefully and always follow the instructions. DEET should not be used on children younger than 2 months.

• Prevent mosquitoes from entering the house by using screens and keeping windows and doorways tightly sealed. Mosquitoes prefer shallow water and tall vegetation. Eliminate standing water in your yard by changing birdbath water weekly, regularly draining pet dishes and plant pot saucers, and checking gutters, pool covers, and tarps for standing water. Store buckets, wheelbarrows, and wading pools upside down. Keep grass mowed.

In Delaware, there were no reported human WNV cases in 2014, three cases in 2013, and nine cases in 2012 with one fatality. To report suspected cases of human WNV, call the DPH Office of Infectious Disease Epidemiology at 888-295-5156.

To report high numbers of biting mosquitoes or other concerns, contact the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) Mosquito Control Section field offices:

• Glasgow Office (upstate) – 302-836-2555, for all of New Castle County and the northern half of Kent County, including Dover.
• Milford Office (downstate) – 302-422-1512, for the southern half of Kent County south of Dover, and for all of Sussex County.

Calls will be answered by staff from Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Callers after business hours or during weekends or holidays should leave a message giving their name, phone number, address and a brief description of their need or problem.

For more information on DNREC Mosquito Control, call 302-739-9917 or visit the DNREC website.

For more information about WNV in horses, contact the Delaware Department of Agriculture at 302-698-4500 or 800-282-8685 (Delaware only).

For more general information on WNV, visit the CDC website or the DPH webpage on WNV at: https://www.dhss.delaware.gov/dhss/dph/epi/wnv.html.  

A person who is deaf, hard-of-hearing, deaf-blind or speech-disabled can call the DPH phone number above by using TTY services. Dial 7-1-1 or 800-232-5460 to type your conversation to a relay operator, who reads your conversation to a hearing person at DPH. The relay operator types the hearing person’s spoken words back to the TTY user. To learn more about TTY availability in Delaware, visit http://delawarerelay.com.

Delaware Health and Social Services is committed to improving the quality of the lives of Delaware’s citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations. DPH, a division of DHSS, urges Delawareans to make healthier choices with the 5-2-1 Almost None campaign: eat 5 or more fruits and vegetables each day, have no more than 2 hours of recreational screen time each day (includes TV, computer, gaming), get 1 or more hours of physical activity each day, and drink almost no sugary beverages.

The Delaware Division of the Arts has announced the availability of a new grant opportunity for Delaware schools.

Recognizing the importance of connecting schools with cultural institutions to promote creative learning, the Delaware Division of the Arts is now accepting applications for TranspARTation Grants— a program developed to assist schools with transportation costs to attend arts and cultural events throughout the state. Schools may request funding to cover travel expenses to include buses, fuel, parking, and tolls associated with the trip. Applications are reviewed in the order they are received until all available funds have been awarded. The deadline is six weeks prior to the project start date. Click here for program guidelines and a simple, two-page application form.

The new grant category was developed in response to feedback received during the Division’s strategic planning process in 2014. “Our constituents urged us to consider ways to increase access to arts education in the state through targeted funding that removes barriers to participation,” said Division Director Paul Weagraff. “This program addresses that concern and helps to ensure access to quality arts education for all Delaware youth.”

The Delaware Division of the Arts is an agency of the State of Delaware. Together with its advisory body, the Delaware State Arts Council, the Division administers grants and programs that support arts programming, educate the public, increase awareness of the arts, and integrate the arts into all facets of Delaware life. Funding for Division programs is provided by annual appropriations from the Delaware General Assembly and grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.

Commissioner Stewart Cites Captive Division’s Contribution to State’s General Fund

DOVER — Delaware’s Bureau of Captive and Financial Insurance Products received the “Highly Commended” award in the “U.S. Captive Domicile” category from Captive Review Magazine during its service awards ceremony on August 10. The judges cited Delaware’s “continued commitment and investment in the captive insurance industry, both within its own borders and further afield.”

“I’m proud that Delaware continues to receive recognition as one of the premier captive jurisdictions in the United States and across the world,” said Insurance Commissioner Karen Weldin Stewart. “As our reputation grows, Delaware attracts more businesses who want to establish their captive operations here. The result is a steady increase of captive insurance premium tax monies flowing into Delaware’s general fund.”

Delaware was also cited for adopting International Financial Reporting Standards and for passage of omnibus captive legislation HB 15, which included definition of a “series captive insurance company.” Delaware Captive Bureau Director Steve Kinion’s participation in industry events around the world and his outspoken advocacy for captive issues in general were also mentioned as factors in Delaware’s recognition.

Captive Review selected Vermont as 2015 U.S. Captive Domicile winner, an award given to Delaware in 2013. Delaware is currently the third largest captive domicile in the U.S., and the sixth largest worldwide.

Captive insurance companies are owned by the entities that they insure, and are usually formed by businesses who wish to better manage the cost and administration of their insurance coverage. More than 1,000 captive entities are currently domiciled in Delaware.