DPH Sees Decrease in Cases and Hospitalizations Since Last Month, but Increase in Deaths.

DPH Sees Decrease in Cases and Hospitalizations Since Last Month, but Increase in Deaths. DPH Encourages Public to Get Updated Boosters   

    

DOVER, DE (FEB. 10, 2023) – The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) saw a 28% decrease in COVID-19 cases and 29% decrease in hospitalizations in the last month and is encouraging residents to continue to remain current on their vaccinations by getting the updated COVID-19 bivalent booster.  

Still, Delawareans, many with underlying health conditions, are dying from COVID-19. In the last month, 68 COVID-related deaths were reported in Delaware, nearly twice the number shared last month. Fifty-four (54) of those deaths were reported after a review of vital statistics between November 2022 and January 2023. 

CDC and DPH officials say getting the updated booster is shown to be effective at reducing the risk of hospitalization and death. Yet, this winter in Delaware, more than 85% of people who tested positive for COVID-19 were hospitalized or died, were not up-to-date with their vaccines, meaning they did not have all recommended vaccines or an updated booster. 

 

According to the CDC, researchers recently analyzed COVID-19 infections and deaths among individuals ages 12 and older between October 2021 and December 2022 and found that people who received the updated COVID-19 booster were 14 times less likely to die from the virus than someone who had not been vaccinated at all. The research also showed that individuals who had received the updated COVID-19 vaccine also were 3 times less likely to die than someone who had only received the original vaccine series.  

 

Individuals who are unsure about whether they are current on their vaccinations should visit de.gov/boosters. A simple, easy-to-use chart outlining all current vaccination situations and age groups allows users to see whether they are up to date on their COVID-19 vaccinations or if they need to take action.  

People who have not received an updated COVID-19 vaccine are strongly encouraged to get one. Residents are also encouraged to take other steps to stay healthy and prevent the spread of the virus. If you are sick, stay home, test when symptoms appear or when you have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, ask your health care provider about treatment options, stay current with vaccinations and boosters, and consider wearing a mask in crowded spaces.   

COVID-19 Cases and Hospitalizations:     

 

  • Total positive cases since March 11, 2020: 327,873   

  • 7-day daily average of new positive cases: 145.1, a decrease of 76.2 since last month. 

  • 7-day daily average for the percentage of total positive tests: 13%, a decrease of 2.5 percentage points from last month. 

  • Hospitalizations: 142 current hospitalizations, 9 critical hospitalizations   

  • Total COVID-19 deaths: 3,288, an increase of 68 from last month including 54 from vital statistic review between November 2022 and January 2023. 

  • *Case and testing data are based on reporting of lab-confirmed COVID-19 tests only. The number of COVID-19 cases in the community is higher than what is reported because of the use of at-home test kits.     

 

    

COVID-19 Vaccinations: 

  • Total number of doses administered in Delaware: 2,152,406   

  • Percentage of Delawareans 5+ who are fully vaccinated (CDC data): 77.4%      

  • Percentage of Delawareans 12+ who are fully vaccinated (CDC data): 81.5%      

  • Percentage of Delawareans 18+ who are fully vaccinated (CDC data): 83.1%      

  • Percent of Delawareans who are fully vaccinated (CDC data): 73.3%  

       

COVID-19 Case Vaccination Status Report:     

The following reports capture a weekly breakdown of non-boosted cases, deaths, and hospitalizations for the time frame of Jan. 30, 2023 – Feb. 5, 2023.   

 

 

Weekly Overview (01/30/23 – 02/05/23) 
 
 

Not up-to-date Cases 
 
 

Total Not up-to-date Cases 
 
 

791 
 
 

Total Cases 
 
 

983 
 
 

Percent of Not up-to-date Cases 
 
 

80% 
 
 

Not up-to-date Hospitalized Cases 
 
 

Total Not up-to-date Hospitalized Cases 
 
 

204 
 
 

Total Hospitalized Cases 
 
 

253 
 
 

Percent of Not up-to-date Cases 
 
 

80% 

Not up-to-date Deaths 
 
 

Total Not up-to-date Deaths 
 
 

3 
 

Total COVID-19 Deaths 
 
 

5 

Percent of Not up-to-date Deaths 
 
 

60% 

    

     

Note:    

Case and Hospitalization Count: based on RTS (Report to State Date) Death: based on DoD (Date of Death) Not up-to-date: all cases that are not completed a COVID-19 vaccine primary series and/or have not received the most recent booster dose recommended by CDC. (CDC’s guidance updated Dec 9th, 2022) DE resident only*    

      

Long-term Care Statistics:      

As of Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2023, there have been a total of 5,537 positive COVID-19 cases involving long-term care residents, and 1,028 residents of Delaware long-term care facilities have died from complications related to COVID-19.     

     

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.     

    

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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The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH), a division of the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services, is a nationally accredited public health agency recognized by the Public Health Accreditation Board for its outstanding dedication to driving change through innovation. DPH 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.  

Secretary Magarik Announces Leadership Changes at Department of Health and Social Services

NEW CASTLE (June 22, 2022) – Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) Secretary Molly Magarik today announced five leadership changes for the agency involving the Office of the Secretary and the Division of Public Health.

The changes:

Dava Newnam, who has served as Associate Deputy Cabinet Secretary and Chief Operating Officer for DHSS, has been named Deputy Cabinet Secretary for Special Populations, Strategic Planning and Innovation.

Newnam has served in various roles at DHSS for 27 years. In January 2021, she was named Associate Deputy Secretary and Chief Operating Officer for the department, with responsibility for managing a $3 billion budget and 3,500 employees. During her tenure, she led the consolidation of business operations department-wide under the Office of the Secretary, including procurement, accounts payable, accounts receivable, grants administration and budget development and helped organize DHSS’ first employee Leadership Academy. In her previous role as Director of the Division of Services for Aging and Adults with Physical Disabilities, she led more than 700 employees and was responsible for directing the state-run Delaware Hospital for the Chronically Ill in Smyrna; community-facing units serving about 20,000 vulnerable Delawareans older than 60; and the Adult Protective Services unit, which protects vulnerable adults who are at risk of abuse, neglect or financial exploitation. She will begin her new role July 1.

“Dava Newnam is a strong leader who has a wealth of knowledge about DHSS and the people we serve,” said Secretary Magarik. “As a former Director of both the Division of Services for Aging and Adults with Physical Disabilities and our Division of Management Services, I know she understands the evolving needs of Delaware’s seniors and adults with disabilities, and is strategic in prioritizing and maximizing the resources that DHSS receives on both the state and federal levels. Dava also has been working on the frontlines to reduce the staffing shortages that DHSS is facing, especially in health care-related positions.”

Newnam is replacing Sarah Noonan Davis, who has served as Deputy Cabinet Secretary for Special Populations, Strategic Planning and Innovation since February 2021. During her tenure, Noonan Davis focused on special populations, as well as strategic planning and innovative practices that are needed to move the department into the 21st century. She oversaw the Divisions of Services for Aging and Adults with Physical Disabilities, Substance Abuse and Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities Services, and Visually Impaired, and the Department’s three in-patient facilities, the Stockley Center, the Delaware Psychiatric Center, and the Delaware Hospital for the Chronically Ill. During her tenure, Noonan Davis’ accomplishments and contributions included overseeing the transition of services from one of the state’s largest providers of substance use disorder (SUD), mental health, and intellectual and developmental disabilities services; spearheading continuous quality improvement initiatives at the Delaware Psychiatric Center and within the Psychiatric Residency program; overseeing the implementation of the Homebound COVID-19 Vaccine program; and aligning initiatives and services across the DHSS divisions through the creation of the internal SUD Workgroup and the Pregnant and Post-partum People with SUD subgroup. Her final day at DHSS will be June 30.

“I am grateful to Sarah Noonan Davis for the energy, compassion and strategic thinking she has brought to her role as Deputy Cabinet Secretary,” Secretary Magarik said. “I know this was a difficult decision for Sarah, and I join other DHSS employees in wishing her the best in her endeavors to come.”

Carla Mitchell-Penny, Human Resources Director for DHSS, has been named Chief of Staff in the Office of the Secretary. She will work in conjunction with executive team members to determine and prioritize departmental strategies and goals, ensure the cohesive movement of departmental objectives toward the mission, and streamline and standardize daily operations in the Secretary’s Office. Mitchell-Penny replaces Michele Stant, who left to become Chief of Financial Management in the Division of Medicaid and Medical Assistance. Mitchell-Penny began her new role June 21.

In addition to the Deputy Secretary and Chief of Staff announcement in the Office of the Secretary, Secretary Magarik also announced temporary changes in leadership at the Division of Public Health:

Dr. Rick Hong, who has served in various leadership roles at the Division of Public Health (DPH) during the past 15 years, has been named Acting Director of the Division of Public Health, effective July 1. Dr. Hong will lead the division temporarily during the search to find a replacement for the departing DPH Director Dr. Karyl Rattay. Dr. Rattay is leaving DPH at the end of June after more than 13 years of leading Delaware’s public health team and serving the people of Delaware.

Dr. Hong, who served during much of the COVID-19 pandemic as Medical Director at DPH, is currently serving as Medical Director for the Emergency Medical Services and Preparedness Section at DPH.

“I am grateful to Dr. Hong, who has so much experience with the Division of Public Health programs and especially its COVID-19 response, for assuming this additional role,” Secretary Magarik said. “Having him lead the division until we can find a physician to lead DPH means that all of our programs there, including the COVID response, are in very good hands.”

Jamie Mack, who has served in various positions at DPH during his 18 years with the agency, has been named Acting Deputy Director, effective July 1. After stints in the Healthy Homes and Lead Poisoning Prevention and Community Environmental Health programs, Mack joined the Director’s Office as the DPH Policy Lead in 2015. He completed his Master’s Degree in Public Administration while working as the Division’s Liaison with the General Assembly, supporting policy efforts across a wide range of public health priorities. Mack returned to his roots in December 2017, taking over as Section Chief of Health Systems Protection and serving as the State Environmental Health Director for Delaware. He lives in Magnolia, with his wife, son and daughter.

Steven Blessing, who has served as Chief of the Emergency Medical Services and Preparedness Branch of DPH for 10 years, has been named Acting Deputy Director in charge of the State Health Operations Center (SHOC), effective July 1. SHOC oversees the COVID-19 response in Delaware and other public health emergencies. Blessing has served in other DPH leadership roles for the past 28 years, including Emergency Medical Services Director, Paramedic Administrator and Executive Assistant to the Director of Public Health. Prior to his work with DPH, he was an investment banker with Dean Witter Reynolds and served eight years as an Officer in the U.S. Army. Blessing earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from the University of Delaware and a Master’s Degree from Webster University in Webster Groves, Missouri.

Mack and Blessing are replacing Deputy Director Crystal Webb, who is also leaving DPH at the end of June after 13 years as Deputy Director.

The Department of Health and Social Services, with about 3,500 employees, is responsible for meeting the health and social service needs of Delawareans by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency and protecting vulnerable populations.

Partnership to Bring Chick-fil-A Food Truck to DMVs

NEW CASTLE (Jan. 27, 2022) – The Division for the Visually Impaired announces a new partnership between its Business Enterprise Program (BEP) and Chick-fil-A. Starting Monday, Feb. 7, the Chick-fil-A food truck dispatching from the Camden, Del., store will make rounds at DMVs across Delaware.

The Business Enterprise Program (BEP) is a federally authorized program that trains and licenses individuals who are blind or visually impaired to establish and operate food service business in public and private facilities. BEP works to broaden economic opportunities for Delawareans who are blind or visually impaired by creating snack bars, cafeterias, and vending route facilities on federal, state, and municipal properties. Under the law, the State Licensing Agency (SLA) is granted priority to operate vending facilities on federal and state property.

The Chick-fil-A and BEP partnership is the beginning of what the Division for the Visually Impaired hopes are several food truck ventures at DMVs and other federal, state, and municipal properties.

“We are very excited to provide excellent food and service to our local communities in partnership with BEP, while supporting Delawareans with visual impairment,” Terry Donovan, Chick-fil-A Food Truck Director said.

“This is going to be a great partnership for the blind community as well as for Chick-fil-A,” said Gary Pizzolo, a BEP vendor who is blind and co-chair of the Blind Vendor Committee. “By supporting the food truck and the vending machines at the state buildings, you are not only supporting vendors like me, but our families as well.”

DVI is seeking additional food trucks to fill the schedule. If you are interested or know someone who is, call DVI staff at 302-255-9800.

The Division for the Visually Impaired provides educational, vocational, and technical support to empower and foster independence for Delawareans with visual impairments. To learn more, visit DVI’s website.