Please note, this press release was updated on Jan. 10, 2022, to correct an error in the total breakthrough cases, and to incorporate additional data points that were not immediately available at the time of the initial release. 

DOVER, DE (Jan. 7, 2022) – 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 Thursday, Jan. 6, 2021. DPH reported the highest number of new positive daily cases since the start of the pandemic with 3,554 positive cases reported to the state Friday, Dec. 31, 2021. In addition, the total number of current COVID-19 hospitalizations surpassed the record high this week with 692 individuals hospitalized as of Thursday, Jan. 6, 2022.

Delaware is experiencing a surge in cases and hospitalizations. It is important that Delawareans take important steps to keep themselves and others safe.

• Get vaccinated and boosted. COVID-19 vaccines continue to offer the best protection against infection, hospitalization and death.
• Wear a well-fitting mask in public and when around others outside of your household. Make sure your mask fits properly over your nose and mouth.
• Stay home if you have symptoms or if you have been exposed to someone with COVID-19. Avoid non-essential in-person social gatherings.
• Go to the emergency room if you have a true emergency, but do not go to the ER only for a COVID-19 test. Our hospitals are strained, and emergency departments need to be preserved for life-threatening emergencies.
• Tests are in high demand. Get tested if:
• You have symptoms.
• It has been five days after you were exposed to someone with COVID-19.
• You are unvaccinated (those not vaccinated should be tested once per week).

COVID-19 Cases and Hospitalizations:

• Total positive cases since March 11, 2020: 198,507
• 7-day average of new positive cases: 2,505.4, a significant increase from 1,622 last week
• 7-day average for the percentage of total positive tests: 27.7%, a significant increase from 19.1% last week
• Hospitalizations: 692, an increase of 207 from last week; critically ill: 63, an increase of 8 from last week
• Total COVID-19 deaths: 2,330
• Total COVID-19 deaths reported since last week: 44

COVID-19 Vaccinations:

• Total number of doses administered in Delaware: 1,574,845
• Percentage of Delawareans 5+ who have received at least one dose (CDC data): 82%
• Percentage of Delawareans 12+ who have received at least one dose (CDC data): 87.4%
• Percentage of Delawareans 18+ who received at least one dose (CDC data): 89.5%
• Percent of Delawareans who are fully vaccinated (CDC data): 64.6%

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

Expanded COVID-19 Booster Eligibility:

DPH announced earlier this week that Delaware’s vaccine providers can now begin administering booster doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine to individuals ages 12 to 15 who completed their initial Pfizer vaccine series at least 5 months ago.

In addition, the FDA and CDC also shortened the booster interval from 6 months to 5 months for people who received either the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines. This means that anyone 12 and older can now receive an mRNA booster shot 5 months after completing their Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna primary series. The booster interval recommendation for people who received the J&J vaccine (2 months) has not changed. Individuals younger than 18 are only able to receive the Pfizer vaccine, and are not able to mix and match vaccine brands for their booster as those individuals 18 and older can do.

The FDA and CDC also moved to allow for moderately or severely immunocompromised 5- to 11-year-olds to receive an additional primary dose of vaccine 28 days after their second shot. At this time, only the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine is authorized and recommended for children aged 5-11. Children in this age group who have undergone solid organ transplantation, or who have been diagnosed with conditions that are considered to have an equivalent level of immunocompromise, may not respond adequately to the two-dose primary vaccination series, and benefit from a third dose. The FDA previously authorized a third primary series dose for use as part of the primary immunization series in individuals 12 years and older. DPH encourages providers to use their clinical judgment and to consider additional factors for their patients when determining if the person meets the qualifications for immunocompromised status and is eligible for an additional/third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

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 Dec. 20 – Dec. 26 as well as Dec. 27 – Jan. 2.

Weekly Overview (12/20 -12/26)

Unvaccinated Cases

Total Unvaccinated / Partially Vaccinated Cases: 4,315

Total Cases: 6,933

Percent of Unvaccinated / Partially Vaccinated Cases: 62%

Hospitalizations

Unvaccinated / Partially Vaccinated Hospitalized Cases: 124

Total Hospitalized Cases: 174

Percent of Unvaccinated / Partially Vaccinated Hospitalized Cases: 71%

Deaths

Unvaccinated / Partially Vaccinated COVID-19 Deaths: 14

Total COVID-19 Deaths: 19

Percent of Unvaccinated / Partially Vaccinated COVID-19 Deaths: 74%

Weekly Overview (12/27 -1/2)

Unvaccinated Cases

Total Unvaccinated / Partially Vaccinated Cases: 9,120

Total Cases: 16,392

Percent of Unvaccinated / Partially Vaccinated Cases: 56%

Hospitalizations

Unvaccinated / Partially Vaccinated Hospitalized Cases: 180

Total Hospitalized Cases: 274

Percent of Unvaccinated / Partially Vaccinated Hospitalized Cases: 66%

Deaths

Unvaccinated / Partially Vaccinated COVID-19 Deaths: 17

Total COVID-19 Deaths: 25

Percent of Unvaccinated / Partially Vaccinated COVID-19 Deaths: 68%

Breakthrough Cases (cumulative since vaccinations began):

• Total breakthrough cases: 13,166 or 2.3% of fully vaccinated individuals
• Total breakthrough hospitalizations: 166
• Total breakthrough deaths: 138

A breakthrough case is defined as testing positive for COVID-19 after an individual has been fully vaccinated for two weeks or more.

*Please note, these data may be updated as additional information is received.

COVID-19 Variant Cases in Delaware:
Due to the length of time between sample collection (when a person is tested) and when samples are sequenced by laboratories, which can be lagged by two weeks or longer, DPH will begin providing variant data based on sample collection date rather than sequencing date. This will more accurately reflect the proportion of specific variants that are circulating in the community at various points in time.

Of the samples collected during the week of Dec. 20 – Dec. 26, the Omicron variant represented 78% of cases sequenced for a variant of concern, variant of interest, or variant being monitored. The remaining 22% of sequenced cases were identified as Delta.

The Delaware Public Health Laboratory and other laboratories regularly monitor for the presence of COVID-19 variants, including Delta and Omicron, through routine genomic sequencing of test specimens. Genome sequencing is a public health surveillance tool used to monitor the prevalence of COVID-19 variants; it is not used to diagnose individuals with a specific strain of COVID-19, as treatment recommendations do not differ based on variant strains. COVID-19 tests identify current infection of COVID-19, but do not identify a specific variant of the virus the individual might have.

Long-term Care Statistics:

As of Thursday, Jan. 6, there have been a total of 3,035 positive COVID-19 cases involving long-term care residents, and 879 residents of Delaware long-term care facilities have died from complications related to COVID-19.

Flu Update:

There were 80 laboratory-confirmed cases reported the week of Dec. 26 – Jan. 1. As of Jan. 1, 2022, the most recent date for which flu statistics are available, there have been 550 laboratory-confirmed cases for the current season. The cases involved 388 individuals from New Castle County, 67 from Kent County and 95 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.

All individuals 6 months and older are strongly encouraged to get vaccinated against the flu if they 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.

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Anyone who is deaf, hard of hearing, Deaf-Blind or speech disabled can contact DPH by dialing 711 first using specialized devices (i.e., TTY, TeleBraille, voice devices). The 711 service is free and to learn more about how it works, please visit delawarerelay.com.

The Delaware Department of 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.

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