DOVER (May 21, 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, May 20, 2021.

A total of 108,166 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 decreased to 115.3 as of Thursday, May 20.

The seven-day average for the percentage of persons who tested positive for COVID-19 as of Thursday, May 20, was 13.8% a decrease from 15% as of Thursday, May 13. DPH publishes both positivity rates – persons tested and total tests conducted – on its COVID-19 data portal. As of Tuesday, May 18, the seven-day average for the percentage of total tests that were positive was 3.6%, a decrease from 3.8% as of Tuesday, May 11. 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, 74 individuals are currently hospitalized due to COVID-19 in Delaware, down six from this time last week. Ten of the hospitalized persons are critically ill, up five from last week.

A total of 1,654 Delawareans have passed away due to complications from COVID-19. The state reported three additional deaths since last week’s update. The total number of individuals who have died from COVID-19 range in age from younger than 5 to 104 years old. Of those who have died, 830 were female and 824 were male. A total of 822 individuals were from New Castle County, 343 were from Kent County, and 489 were from Sussex County.

Update on COVID-19 Variant Cases in Delaware:

To date, the Division of Public Health has identified the following COVID-19 variants in Delaware through routine surveillance of test specimens, which includes the state’s first identified case of B.1.617.2 variant first found in India. These variants are based on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) list of Variants of Concern and Variants of Interest.

In aggregate, the cases include 835 adults ranging in age from 18-98, as well as 174 individuals under the age of 18. A total of 775 individuals were from New Castle County, 138 were from Kent County and 96 were from Sussex County.

The Delaware Public Health Laboratory has sequenced 2,555 specimens for COVID-19 variant strains to date, including 263 within the past week.

Virus mutation is common. Public health approach and treatments are currently not any different, but as these variants 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.

For more information regarding CDC variant classifications, visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/cases-updates/variant-surveillance/variant-info.html.

COVID-19 Vaccinations:

As of 12:01 a.m. May 21, a total of 866,093 administered doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been reported to the state’s immunization information system, DelVAX. A total of 803,700 doses have been delivered to the state, and 318,765 doses have been delivered as part of the federal provider programs.

Delaware’s latest COVID-19 vaccination statistics can be found under the Vaccine Tracker dashboard at de.gov/healthycommunity. For the latest information on the COVID-19 vaccine and the vaccination rollout in Delaware, visit de.gov/covidvaccine.

DPH Offers Free Transportation to Vaccine Appointments at Public Health Clinics

DPH has contracted with two vendors, DinesteHealth and Delmarva Transportation, to provide free rides to a DPH Clinic to get a COVID-19 vaccination.  To arrange for this free transportation, contact the DPH Vaccine Call Center at 1-833-643-1715 and press option 3.  To view a list of DPH clinics offering vaccinations, visit de.gov/getmyvaccine.  Walk-ins at all sites are welcome, or you may schedule an appointment.  All sites are located near DART bus routes and are wheelchair accessible. The DPH clinics offer the Pfizer vaccine so anyone age 12 and older is eligible to be vaccinated at these sites. Parental consent is required for anyone under age 18, but a parent is not required to be there in person. Parental consent can be provided by completing, printing and signing the Immunization Reporting Record located on the webpage under the clinic location section.

Delawareans are Reminded of State Requirements for Use of Face Masks

As a reminder to the public, Delaware Governor John Carney’s 29^th modification to the COVID-19 State of Emergency declaration, which took effect today, continues to require mask-wearing in the following settings regardless of vaccination status:

• Public transportation (includes buses, Paratransit, taxi, ride-sharing services)
• Health care facilities (includes but not limited to hospitals, medical clinics and offices, special care, labs, dentists, pharmacies, blood banks/drives, veterinary care) applies to patients, staff, and visitors
• Long-term care facilities (for staff and visitors – if resident and visitor are fully vaccinated, no mask is needed if in private area)
• State facilities
• Correctional facilities
• Homeless shelters
• Child care facilities (staff, parents, visitors, students Kindergarten and above)
• Schools

DPH strongly encourages unvaccinated and partially vaccinated individuals to continue to wear masks in public settings and around those who live outside of their household. Individual businesses have the ability to enact stricter requirements than the state and require mask use.

While the most recent modification to the State of Emergency declaration no longer requires social distancing, DPH continues to strongly encourage 6 feet of social distancing for unvaccinated persons, per CDC guidelines.

Long-term Care Statistics:

As of 6:00 p.m. Thursday, May 20, there have been a total of 2,730 positive COVID-19 cases involving long-term care residents, and 753 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:

Atlantic Shores Rehabilitation and Health Center, Millsboro (25)

Brackenville Center, Genesis Healthcare, Hockessin (23)

Brandywine Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Wilmington (37)

Brandywine Living at Seaside Pointe, Rehoboth Beach (5)

Brookdale Dover, Dover (15)

Cadia Healthcare Broadmeadow, Middletown (17)

Cadia Healthcare Capitol, Dover (22)

Cadia Healthcare Renaissance, Millsboro (14)

Cadia Healthcare North Wilmington/Silverside, Wilmington (34)

Cadia Healthcare Pike Creek, Pike Creek (4)

Churchman Village, Newark (22)

Country Rest Home, Greenwood (17)

Delaware Hospital for the Chronically Ill, Smyrna (15)

Delmar Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Delmar (2)

Dover Place, Dover (8)

Foulk Manor South, Wilmington (15)

Forwood Manor, Wilmington (10)

Governor Bacon Health Center, Delaware City (1)

HarborChase of Wilmington, Wilmington (4)

Harbor Healthcare and Rehabilitation, Lewes (46)

Harrison House Senior Living, Georgetown (49)

Hillside Center, Wilmington (9)

Ingleside Assisted Living, Wilmington (4)

Kentmere Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center, Wilmington (9)

Kutz Senior Living, Wilmington (10)

Little Sisters of the Poor, Newark (11)

Lofland Park Center, Genesis Healthcare, Seaford (6)

ManorCare Health Services, Wilmington (20)

ManorCare Health Services, Pike Creek (29)

Methodist Country House, Wilmington (4)

Millcroft, Newark (3)

Milford Center, Genesis Healthcare, Milford (54)

New Castle Health and Rehabilitation Center, New Castle (13)

Newark Manor Nursing Home, Newark (11)

Parkview Nursing and Rehabilitation, Wilmington (26)

Pinnacle Rehabilitation and Health Center, Smyrna (40)

Regal Heights Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center, Hockessin (16)

Regency Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center, Wilmington (9)

Seaford Center, Genesis Healthcare, Seaford (4)

Shipley Manor, Wilmington (12)

Silver Lake Center, Genesis Healthcare, Dover (3)

Somerford House and Place, Newark (6)

State Street Assisted Living, Dover (4)

Summit Assisted Living, Hockessin (4)

Sunrise Assisted Living, Wilmington (2)

The Center at Eden Hill, Dover (9)

The Moorings at Lewes, Lewes (4)

Westminster Village, Dover (23)

WillowBrooke Court Skilled Center at Manor House, Seaford (13)

WillowBrooke Court at Cokesbury Village, Hockessin (4)

Five other New Castle County long-term care facilities (1 death at each facility)

One other Sussex County long-term care facility (1 death at this facility)

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 18 or older 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.

As a reminder, DPH recently announced it has created a pathway for the public to submit complaints if they believe a COVID-19 vaccination provider is violating vaccination requirements. Those complaints can be directed to HSPContact@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.

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