DOVER, DE (Dec. 10, 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, Dec. 9, 2021.
- Total positive cases since March 11, 2020: 159,399
- 7-day average of new positive cases: 603.9, a significant increase from 432.9 last week
- 7-day average for the percentage of total positive tests: 9.2%, an increase from 8% last week
- Hospitalizations: 317, an increase of 51 from last week; critically ill: 33, an increase of one from last week
- Total COVID-19 deaths: 2,211
- Total COVID-19 deaths reported since last week: 17
COVID-19 Vaccinations:
- Total number of doses administered in Delaware: 1,464,094
- Percentage of Delawareans 5+ who have received at least one dose (CDC data): 78.8%
- Percentage of Delawareans 12+ who have received at least one dose (CDC data): 84.6%
- Percentage of Delawareans 18+ who received at least one dose (CDC data): 86.6%
- Percent of Delawareans who are fully vaccinated (CDC data): 62.6%
Delawareans who are fully vaccinated have significant protection from COVID-19 infection, serious illness and death. All qualifying Delawareans should get vaccinated. Individuals who qualify for a booster dose should get one as soon as possible. For the latest information on the COVID-19 vaccine in Delaware, visit de.gov/getmyvaccine. Delaware’s latest COVID-19 vaccination statistics can be found under the Vaccine Tracker dashboard at de.gov/healthycommunity.
Expanded Eligibility for Vaccine Boosters:
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Thursday authorized booster doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for 16- and 17-year-olds, at least six months after receiving their second dose of the vaccine. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) endorsed the action soon after. DPH has advised medical providers that they may begin administering the Pfizer vaccine (12+/adult formula) as a booster to eligible 16- and 17-year-olds as soon as they are able. These individuals are only able to receive Pfizer as a booster, and are not able to mix and match vaccines as those individuals 18 and older can do.
“Given rising cases pointing to a winter surge, the presence of the Delta variant and likelihood that we will see the Omicron variant in our state, we are grateful to have another tool at our disposal to increase protection for younger Delawareans,” said DPH Director Dr. Karyl Rattay. “We encourage anyone ages 5 and older who has not yet been vaccinated to get their first dose, for those who still need their second to schedule it, and for all those eligible for a booster vaccine to get one.”
Individuals 18 and older who received either Pfizer or Moderna are eligible for a booster dose of the vaccine at least six months after being fully vaccinated. Those who received the J&J vaccine are eligible for a booster two months after their vaccination. Persons 18 and older may choose from any of the three FDA authorized vaccines as their booster, regardless of the brand they originally received.
Evidence from clinical studies show that boosters do not merely top off immunity, but elevate protection well beyond peak levels from the primary series. Some experts say the elevated levels of protection can be as high as 95%. The same study showed an 85% reduction in hospitalization, 76% reduction in severe disease, and 94% reduction in deaths in those who received a booster dose. COVID-19 vaccines continue to be very effective when it comes to preventing hospitalization and death, but effectiveness against getting the virus may decline over time. Boosters also increase the strength of your antibody response, so when the virus mutates, a booster makes it more likely that your antibodies can protect you against the new variant. Visit de.gov/boosters for more information.
COVID-19 Case Vaccination Status Report:
The following report captures a weekly breakdown of vaccination status for cases, deaths, and hospitalizations for the time frame for Nov. 29 – Dec. 5. The report highlights the significant percentage of unvaccinated or only partially vaccinated individuals comprising Delaware’s cases and hospitalizations.
|
Weekly Overview(11/29 -12/5) |
|
|
Unvaccinated Cases |
|
|
Total Unvaccinated / Partially Vaccinated Cases |
2883 |
|
Total Cases |
3985 |
|
Percent of Unvaccinated / Partially Vaccinated Cases |
72% |
|
Hospitalizations |
|
|
Unvaccinated / Partially Vaccinated Hospitalized Cases |
117 |
|
Total Hospitalized Cases |
169 |
|
Percent of Unvaccinated / Partially Vaccinated Hospitalized Cases |
69% |
|
Deaths |
|
|
Unvaccinated / Partially Vaccinated COVID-19 Deaths |
13 |
|
Total COVID-19 Deaths |
15 |
|
Percent of Unvaccinated / Partially Vaccinated COVID-19 Deaths |
87% |
Breakthrough Cases (cumulative since vaccinations began):
- Total breakthrough cases: 8,341 or 1.5% of fully vaccinated individuals
- Total breakthrough hospitalizations: 132
- Total breakthrough deaths: 102
A breakthrough case is defined as testing positive for COVID-19 after an individual has been fully vaccinated for two weeks or more.
COVID-19 Variant Cases in Delaware:
In the last week, 445 test samples were sequenced through routine surveillance of test specimens. Of those test samples, 248 (55.7%) sequenced at the DPH Lab were positive for a variant strain, as were 26 additional specimens sequenced at an outside lab. Out of the 274 variant positive samples, all were identified as the Delta strain.
DPH continues to monitor the science around the new Omicron variant, which has been classified as a Variant of Concern by both the World Health Organization and CDC. This variant was first reported in South Africa and has since been detected in at least 40 countries and 21 states in the U.S. No cases of this variant have been identified in Delaware to date. The Delaware Public Health Laboratory regularly monitors for the presence of COVID-19 variants, including Omicron, through routine sequencing of test specimens.
DPH COVID-19 Vaccine Mobile Units:
DPH officials in partnership with medical staff from the Delaware National Guard (DNG) have mobile units that offer COVID-19 vaccines in underserved communities.
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. COVID-19 testing will be available at each location. The mobile units in New Castle County will travel through specific neighborhoods and a community intervention team will canvas door to door to offer vaccination and testing services to residents. These specific events are indicated below with the note (door to door).
Monday, Dec. 13
Urban Promise Academy, 2401 Thatcher St., Wilmington, 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Wawa Camden, 200 East St., Camden, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Linkside Apartments, 35 Flagstick Lane, Magnolia, 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Bethel Market, 7743 Main St., Bethel, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Café Tamburelli’s, 3 Market St., Greenwood, 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.
Tuesday, Dec. 14
DeLaWarr State Service Center, 500 Rogers Road, New Castle, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Smyrna State Service Center, 200 S. DuPont Blvd., Smyrna, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Laurel State Service Center, 31039 North Poplar St., Laurel, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Mt. Olivet United Methodist Church, 315 High St., Seaford, 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.
Wednesday, Dec. 15
Wilmington’s Northside neighborhood (door to door), starting at North Claymont Street, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Dover Downs Hotel & Casino, 1131 N. DuPont Hwy., Dover, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Wawa, 1450 Forrest Ave., Dover, 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Greenwood Public Library, 100 Mill St., Greenwood, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Thursday, Dec. 16
Appoquinimink State Service Center, 122 Silver Lake Road, Middletown, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Donald J. Richey Elementary School, 105 E. Highland Ave., Wilmington, 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Laurel State Service Center, 31039 North Poplar St., Laurel, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Smyrna State Service Center, 200 S. DuPont Blvd., Smyrna, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Davelli’s Bagel Café, 201 W. Stein Hwy., Seaford, 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 17
Wilmington’s Browntown/Hedgeville neighborhood (door to door), starting at 900 block of Maryland Avenue, Wilmington, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Service General Laundromat, 801 Norman Eskidge Hwy., Seaford, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 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.
Long-term Care Statistics:
As of 6:00 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 9, there have been a total of 3,017 positive COVID-19 cases involving long-term care residents, and 869 residents of Delaware long-term care facilities have died from complications related to COVID-19.
Flu Update:
Flu cases are increasing in Delaware, with 84 cases reported in the most recent week. As of Dec. 4, 2021, the most recent date for which flu statistics are available, there have been 125 laboratory-confirmed cases for the current season. The cases involved 79 individuals from New Castle County, 12 from Kent County and 34 from Sussex County. This number reflects only the number of lab-confirmed cases; the actual number of cases circulating statewide is likely higher as not all people with the flu seek treatment, and many cases are diagnosed through rapid test kits in a provider’s office versus a lab.
Now is the time to get vaccinated against the flu if you haven’t already. Flu vaccines are available at pharmacies (including those in grocery stores), participating medical provider offices, Federally Qualified Health Centers (for their patients), as well as Division of Public Health clinics. DPH is also advising the public that the flu vaccine can be administered at the same time as the COVID-19 vaccine.
For the latest information on the flu in Delaware, visit flu.delaware.gov.
Resources:
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.
DPH will continue to update the public as more information becomes available. For the latest on Delaware’s response, go to de.gov/coronavirus.