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, July 22, 2021.

A total of 110,638 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 to 49.9 as of Thursday, July 22.

As of Tuesday, July 20, the seven-day average for the percentage of total tests that were positive was 2.5%, an increase from 1.8% as of Tuesday, July 13. This is the fourth straight week Delaware has seen an increase. 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, 36 individuals are currently hospitalized due to COVID-19 in Delaware, a decrease of one from last week. Four of the hospitalized persons are critically ill, the same number as last week.

A total of 1,698 Delawareans have passed away due to complications from COVID-19. One new death was reported in the last week; the individual was not fully vaccinated. 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, 850 were female and 848 were male. A total of 847 individuals were from New Castle County, 349 were from Kent County, and 502 were from Sussex County.

COVID-19 Vaccinations:

According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 71.6% of Delawareans ages 18+ have received at least one dose of the vaccine. As of 12:01 a.m. July 23, a total of 1,044,737 administered doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been reported to the state’s immunization information system, DelVAX. Among Delawareans 12+, 521,097 have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, and 465,378 Delawareans are fully vaccinated. Delaware’s latest COVID-19 vaccination statistics can be found under the Vaccine Tracker dashboard at de.gov/healthycommunity.

Vaccines are the best protection we have against COVID-19 and circulating variants. For the latest information the COVID-19 vaccine and the vaccination rollout in Delaware, visit de.gov/covidvaccine.

Vaccinations at the Delaware State Fair:

The Delaware State Fair opened this Thursday at the Fairgrounds in Harrington. DPH is administering the Pfizer vaccine (for persons 12+) and the J&J vaccine (18+) in the Delaware Building (across from the M&T Grandstands) from 2:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. through Saturday, July 31.

 DPH COVID Vaccine Mobile Units:

DPH in partnership with medical staff from the Delaware National Guard (DNG) have launched mobile units to offer COVID-19 vaccines in underserved communities. Medically trained DNG staff are offering the Pfizer vaccine (for ages 12+) and the J&J vaccine (for persons 18+). These mobile units are visiting communities with low vaccination rates in an effort to eliminate potential barriers to access. The mobile units, which utilize trailers to transport the vaccine and provide vaccinations, are scheduled to visit these communities in New Castle, Kent and Sussex counties next week.

Monday, July 26

Emmanuel Dining Room East, Wilmington, 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Adams Four Shopping Center, Wilmington, 2:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.

Tuesday, July 27

Edgehill Shopping Center, Dover, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

The Willows at Clearfield, Dover, 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Wednesday, July 28

Wilmington Farmers Market, Wilmington, 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Thursday, July 29

Ames Plaza, Seaford, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Woodbridge Middle School, Bridgeville, 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Friday, July 30

Beaver Brook Shopping Center, New Castle, 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

*dates may be rescheduled if there is inclement weather

For a full list of community-based events statewide including those organized by vaccinating partners and community groups at de.gov/getmyvaccine.

Update on COVID-19 Variant Cases in Delaware

As of Friday, July 23, the Division of Public Health has identified the following COVID-19 variants in Delaware through routine surveillance of test specimens. These variants are based on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) list of Variants of Concern and Variants of Interest. There were no Delta variant cases identified during sequencing over the past week.

The Delaware Public Health Laboratory has sequenced 3,363 specimens for COVID-19 variant strains to date, including 46 within the past week. In aggregate, the cases include 1,157 adults ranging in age from 18- 98, as well as 256 individuals under the age of 18. One thousand and sixty-four individuals were from New Castle County, 181 were from Kent County and 168 were from Sussex County.

Virus mutation is common. Sequencing for variants is a complex process and not used for diagnosing COVID-19. It is used after a positive case of COVID-19 has been identified for surveillance purposes, or in identifying the presence of a variant strain in the community. When variant strains are identified, public health approaches and treatments do not currently change. But because these variants may spread more easily, it is even more important that unvaccinated individuals who are more susceptible to getting COVID-19 continue taking the necessary steps to avoid spreading the virus – wearing a mask, washing your hands, and avoiding gatherings.

The science is clear that the vaccines are extremely safe and effective even against variants – and Delawareans who are fully vaccinated have significant protection from COVID-19 infection and serious illness. We would encourage all Delawareans to get vaccinated – de.gov/getmyvaccine.

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

Breakthrough Cases

Vaccination significantly reduces the chance to developing COVID-19 or becoming seriously ill from it. To date, 465,378 Delawareans have been fully vaccinated. Of those, there have been 518 breakthrough cases of COVID-19, one-tenth of 1 percent.

A breakthrough case is defined as testing positive for COVID-19 after an individual has been fully vaccinated for two weeks or more – although it does not mean that the infection actually occurred after vaccination. Twenty-two of the reported breakthrough cases involved hospitalizations, eight individuals passed away, although it does not mean COVID was the cause of death. Breakthrough cases are extremely rare, and the science is clear, the best way to prevent serious illness from COVID-19 is to get vaccinated.

Long-term Care Statistics

As of 6:00 p.m. Thursday, July 22, there have been a total of 2,778 positive COVID-19 cases involving long-term care residents, and 760 residents of Delaware long-term care facilities have died from complications related to COVID-19.

Symptoms and Testing

It’s especially important for unvaccinated persons, to be aware of, and self-monitor for, the symptoms of COVID-19.  Even fully vaccinated persons should get tested if they develop symptoms.

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.

Information about testing events, including community testing sites, permanent fixed testing sites, and free-standing sites operated by the health care systems and hospitals, are listed on the testing section of the Delaware coronavirus website at de.gov/gettested

 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.

  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:

Monday – Friday: 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Saturday: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Medically related questions regarding testing, symptoms, and health-related guidance can be submitted by email at DPHCall@delaware.gov.

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

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.

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