Weekly COVID-19 Update – Feb. 12, 2021: New Positive Cases Flatten as Hospitalizations Trend Downward
Delaware Health and Social Services | Division of Public Health | News | Date Posted: Saturday, February 13, 2021
Delaware Health and Social Services | Division of Public Health | News | Date Posted: Saturday, February 13, 2021
DOVER (Feb. 12, 2021) – The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) is providing an update on the most recent statistics related to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Delaware, as of 6 p.m. Thursday, February 11, 2021.
A total of 82,263 positive cases of COVID-19 among Delaware residents have been reported to DPH since March 11, 2020. The seven-day average of new positive cases increased slightly to 396.7 as of Thursday, Feb. 11.
The seven-day average for the percentage of persons who tested positive for COVID-19 as of Thursday, Feb. 11, was 21.4%, an increase from 20.9% as of Thursday, Feb. 4. DPH publishes both positivity rates – persons tested and total tests conducted – on its COVID-19 data portal. As of Tuesday, Feb. 9, the seven-day average for the percentage of total tests that were positive was 6.1%, a decrease from 7.2% as of Tuesday, Feb. 2. There is a two-day lag for presenting data related to percent of tests that are positive to account for the time delay between the date of the test and the date that DPH receives the test result.
In addition, 247 individuals are currently hospitalized due to COVID-19 in Delaware, which is a decrease of 43 as of this time last week. Twenty-three of the hospitalized persons are critically ill, down 17 from last week.
A total of 1,269 Delawareans have passed away due to complications from COVID-19. The state reported 78 additional deaths since last week’s update. The total number of individuals who have died from COVID-19 ranges in age from younger than 5 to 104 years old. Of those who have died, 638 were female and 631 were male. A total of 610 individuals were from New Castle County, 267 were from Kent County, and 392 were from Sussex County.
To date, the Division of Public Health has identified six confirmed cases of the COVID-19 variant, SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.7, in Delaware through routine surveillance of test specimens. This variant is the same one that was first discovered in England in December and is also commonly referred to as the UK Variant. The cases include five adults ranging in age from 18-65, as well as a child under the age of 10. Four individuals were from New Castle County and two were from Kent County.
Virus mutation is common. Preliminary data suggests the UK variant, as well as Brazilian and South African variants, may spread more easily and quickly, which could lead to increased cases. Public health approach and treatments are not any different, but as this new variant may be more contagious, it is even more important that individuals remain vigilant and continue taking the necessary steps to avoid spreading the virus – wear a mask, wash your hands, avoid gatherings.
COVID-19 Vaccinations:
As of 12 a.m. Feb. 12, a total of 135,949 administered doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been reported to the state’s immunization information system, DelVAX. A total of 162,050 doses have been delivered to the state. Delaware’s latest COVID-19 vaccination statistics can be found under the Vaccine Tracker dashboard at de.gov/healthycommunity.
Earlier this week, the State announced events to administer second doses to individuals who received their first dose at state-sponsored events on or before Jan. 18. The second-dose appointment slots for Curative’s vaccination events next week (Feb. 15-19) are now full. Individuals who attended Dover DMV Vaccination events on Jan. 16-18 and Salesianum School on Jan. 18 who were not able to schedule an appointment for one of the Curative second-dose events, as well as those vaccinated at the Delaware City DMV on Jan. 22-24, and Georgetown DMV on Jan. 23-24, will have the opportunity to be vaccinated at an upcoming FEMA second-dose vaccination event at Dover International Speedway. More details on this event will be provided next week. Individuals are encouraged to watch for the State’s press releases, check social media and the de.gov/seconddose web page for more information as it becomes available.
Additional information about COVID-19 vaccine rollout, which includes a list of pharmacies and medical providers accepting public requests for vaccination, is available at de.gov/covidvaccine. Questions can be directed to the Vaccine Call Center at 1-833-643-1715. People who are deaf or hard of hearing should call 2-1-1 or text their ZIP code to 898-211. Individuals can email their questions concerning the vaccine to Vaccine@Delaware.gov.
Update on COVID-19 Outbreaks in Long-term Care Facilities:
The Division of Public Health is discontinuing its reporting of significant COVID-19 outbreaks in long-term care facilities throughout the state as the outbreaks identified and monitored since September 2020 are largely under control at this time. While DPH will continue to actively monitor for clusters in long-term facilities, presenting cumulative case totals no longer provides a valuable, or accurate, representation of the active cases occurring at each facility at this particular point in time.
Long-term Care Statistics:
As of 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 11, there have been a total of 2,217 positive COVID-19 cases cumulatively involving long-term care residents, and 653 residents of Delaware long-term care facilities have died from complications related to COVID-19.
The locations and number of deaths involving residents of long-term care facilities are:
If you are sick with any of the following symptoms, stay home: fever, cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, muscle aches, fatigue, chills, shaking with chills, loss of smell or taste, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea, or headache or congestion or runny nose without a known cause such as allergies. Other symptoms such as abdominal pain or lack of appetite have been identified as potential symptoms related to COVID-19 and may prompt further screening, action or investigation by a primary care provider. If you are sick and need essential supplies, ask someone else to go to the grocery store or the pharmacy to get what you need.
DPH reminds Delawareans that if you believe you have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, or have symptoms of illness, make sure to distance yourself from others, particularly vulnerable populations. Older adults and people of any age with serious underlying medical conditions – including serious heart conditions, chronic lung conditions, including moderate to severe asthma, severe obesity and those who are immunocompromised, including through cancer treatment – may have a higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19.
Information about testing events, including community testing sites, permanent fixed testing sites, and free-standing sites operated by the health care systems and hospitals, will be listed on the testing section of the Delaware coronavirus website at de.gov/gettested.
Delawareans over the age of 18 are encouraged to download COVID Alert DE, Delaware’s free exposure notification app to help protect your neighbors while ensuring your privacy. Download on the App Store or Google Play.
Individuals with general questions about COVID-19 should call Delaware 2-1-1, individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing can text their ZIP code to 898-211, or email delaware211@uwde.org. Hours of operation are 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Monday through Friday; 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Medically related questions regarding testing, symptoms, and health-related guidance can be submitted by email at DPHCall@delaware.gov.
Individuals who have complaints about individuals violating public gathering restrictions should contact state or local law enforcement. Concerns that a business may be violating operating restrictions should be directed to: HSPContact@delaware.gov. Questions related to business re-openings or operations as businesses re-open should go to COVID19FAQ@delaware.gov. Questions regarding unemployment claims should be emailed to: UIClaims@delaware.gov.
DPH will continue to update the public as more information becomes available. For the latest on Delaware’s response, go to de.gov/coronavirus.
Related Topics: Coronavirus, COVID-19, vaccine
Keep up to date by receiving a daily digest email, around noon, of current news release posts from state agencies on news.delaware.gov.
Here you can subscribe to future news updates.
Delaware Health and Social Services | Division of Public Health | News | Date Posted: Saturday, February 13, 2021
DOVER (Feb. 12, 2021) – The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) is providing an update on the most recent statistics related to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Delaware, as of 6 p.m. Thursday, February 11, 2021.
A total of 82,263 positive cases of COVID-19 among Delaware residents have been reported to DPH since March 11, 2020. The seven-day average of new positive cases increased slightly to 396.7 as of Thursday, Feb. 11.
The seven-day average for the percentage of persons who tested positive for COVID-19 as of Thursday, Feb. 11, was 21.4%, an increase from 20.9% as of Thursday, Feb. 4. DPH publishes both positivity rates – persons tested and total tests conducted – on its COVID-19 data portal. As of Tuesday, Feb. 9, the seven-day average for the percentage of total tests that were positive was 6.1%, a decrease from 7.2% as of Tuesday, Feb. 2. There is a two-day lag for presenting data related to percent of tests that are positive to account for the time delay between the date of the test and the date that DPH receives the test result.
In addition, 247 individuals are currently hospitalized due to COVID-19 in Delaware, which is a decrease of 43 as of this time last week. Twenty-three of the hospitalized persons are critically ill, down 17 from last week.
A total of 1,269 Delawareans have passed away due to complications from COVID-19. The state reported 78 additional deaths since last week’s update. The total number of individuals who have died from COVID-19 ranges in age from younger than 5 to 104 years old. Of those who have died, 638 were female and 631 were male. A total of 610 individuals were from New Castle County, 267 were from Kent County, and 392 were from Sussex County.
To date, the Division of Public Health has identified six confirmed cases of the COVID-19 variant, SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.7, in Delaware through routine surveillance of test specimens. This variant is the same one that was first discovered in England in December and is also commonly referred to as the UK Variant. The cases include five adults ranging in age from 18-65, as well as a child under the age of 10. Four individuals were from New Castle County and two were from Kent County.
Virus mutation is common. Preliminary data suggests the UK variant, as well as Brazilian and South African variants, may spread more easily and quickly, which could lead to increased cases. Public health approach and treatments are not any different, but as this new variant may be more contagious, it is even more important that individuals remain vigilant and continue taking the necessary steps to avoid spreading the virus – wear a mask, wash your hands, avoid gatherings.
COVID-19 Vaccinations:
As of 12 a.m. Feb. 12, a total of 135,949 administered doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been reported to the state’s immunization information system, DelVAX. A total of 162,050 doses have been delivered to the state. Delaware’s latest COVID-19 vaccination statistics can be found under the Vaccine Tracker dashboard at de.gov/healthycommunity.
Earlier this week, the State announced events to administer second doses to individuals who received their first dose at state-sponsored events on or before Jan. 18. The second-dose appointment slots for Curative’s vaccination events next week (Feb. 15-19) are now full. Individuals who attended Dover DMV Vaccination events on Jan. 16-18 and Salesianum School on Jan. 18 who were not able to schedule an appointment for one of the Curative second-dose events, as well as those vaccinated at the Delaware City DMV on Jan. 22-24, and Georgetown DMV on Jan. 23-24, will have the opportunity to be vaccinated at an upcoming FEMA second-dose vaccination event at Dover International Speedway. More details on this event will be provided next week. Individuals are encouraged to watch for the State’s press releases, check social media and the de.gov/seconddose web page for more information as it becomes available.
Additional information about COVID-19 vaccine rollout, which includes a list of pharmacies and medical providers accepting public requests for vaccination, is available at de.gov/covidvaccine. Questions can be directed to the Vaccine Call Center at 1-833-643-1715. People who are deaf or hard of hearing should call 2-1-1 or text their ZIP code to 898-211. Individuals can email their questions concerning the vaccine to Vaccine@Delaware.gov.
Update on COVID-19 Outbreaks in Long-term Care Facilities:
The Division of Public Health is discontinuing its reporting of significant COVID-19 outbreaks in long-term care facilities throughout the state as the outbreaks identified and monitored since September 2020 are largely under control at this time. While DPH will continue to actively monitor for clusters in long-term facilities, presenting cumulative case totals no longer provides a valuable, or accurate, representation of the active cases occurring at each facility at this particular point in time.
Long-term Care Statistics:
As of 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 11, there have been a total of 2,217 positive COVID-19 cases cumulatively involving long-term care residents, and 653 residents of Delaware long-term care facilities have died from complications related to COVID-19.
The locations and number of deaths involving residents of long-term care facilities are:
If you are sick with any of the following symptoms, stay home: fever, cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, muscle aches, fatigue, chills, shaking with chills, loss of smell or taste, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea, or headache or congestion or runny nose without a known cause such as allergies. Other symptoms such as abdominal pain or lack of appetite have been identified as potential symptoms related to COVID-19 and may prompt further screening, action or investigation by a primary care provider. If you are sick and need essential supplies, ask someone else to go to the grocery store or the pharmacy to get what you need.
DPH reminds Delawareans that if you believe you have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, or have symptoms of illness, make sure to distance yourself from others, particularly vulnerable populations. Older adults and people of any age with serious underlying medical conditions – including serious heart conditions, chronic lung conditions, including moderate to severe asthma, severe obesity and those who are immunocompromised, including through cancer treatment – may have a higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19.
Information about testing events, including community testing sites, permanent fixed testing sites, and free-standing sites operated by the health care systems and hospitals, will be listed on the testing section of the Delaware coronavirus website at de.gov/gettested.
Delawareans over the age of 18 are encouraged to download COVID Alert DE, Delaware’s free exposure notification app to help protect your neighbors while ensuring your privacy. Download on the App Store or Google Play.
Individuals with general questions about COVID-19 should call Delaware 2-1-1, individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing can text their ZIP code to 898-211, or email delaware211@uwde.org. Hours of operation are 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Monday through Friday; 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Medically related questions regarding testing, symptoms, and health-related guidance can be submitted by email at DPHCall@delaware.gov.
Individuals who have complaints about individuals violating public gathering restrictions should contact state or local law enforcement. Concerns that a business may be violating operating restrictions should be directed to: HSPContact@delaware.gov. Questions related to business re-openings or operations as businesses re-open should go to COVID19FAQ@delaware.gov. Questions regarding unemployment claims should be emailed to: UIClaims@delaware.gov.
DPH will continue to update the public as more information becomes available. For the latest on Delaware’s response, go to de.gov/coronavirus.
Related Topics: Coronavirus, COVID-19, vaccine
Keep up to date by receiving a daily digest email, around noon, of current news release posts from state agencies on news.delaware.gov.
Here you can subscribe to future news updates.