SMYRNA (March 31, 2020) – The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) is announcing three additional fatalities related to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), and is providing an update on the number of positive and recovered cases reported in the state.

In total, 10 Delawareans have passed away due to complications from COVID-19. There have been a total of five deaths related to long-term care facilities, including four in New Castle County (three at Little Sisters of the Poor) and one in Sussex County. Of the most recent deaths, all had significant underlying health conditions and involved a:

• 87-year-old female from New Castle County
• 89-year-old male from New Castle County
• 94-year-old female from New Castle County

To protect personal health information, DPH will not disclose additional information about the individuals who passed away, nor will DPH confirm specific information about any individual case, even if other persons or entities disclose it independently.

The latest Delaware COVID-19 case statistics, cumulatively since March 11, include 319 total laboratory-confirmed cases.

• New Castle County cases: 197
• Kent County cases: 34
• Sussex County cases: 88
• Males: 152; Females: 167
• Age range: 1 to 95
• Hospitalized: 57; Critically ill: 14
• Delawareans recovered: 22
• 3,696 negative cases*
  *Data on negative cases are preliminary, based on negative results reported to DPH by state and commercial laboratories performing analysis. Multiple negative tests per person are only counted once.

Delaware is considering patients fully recovered seven days after the resolution of their symptoms. Three days after symptoms resolve, patients are no longer required to self-isolate at home; however, they must continue to practice strict social distancing for the remaining four days before returning to their normal daily routine.

If you are sick with any symptoms, including fever, cough, shortness of breath, sore throat and muscle fatigue, stay home. 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.

If you think 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 – might be at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19.

Statewide testing at standing health facility testing sites require a physician’s order or prescription to be tested (*Bayhealth patients will be pre-screened via phone without needing to see a provider first). These are not walk-in testing sites. Those without a primary care provider can call the DPH Call Center Line at 1-866-408-1899. Individuals awaiting test results, should wait to hear back from their medical provider. The DPH Call Center does not have test results.

Delawareans with general questions about COVID-19 or their exposure risk can call the Division of Public Health’s Coronavirus Call Center at 1-866-408-1899, or 711 for individuals who are hearing-impaired, from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Questions can also 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.

Division of Public Health also announces 22 total recovered

SMYRNA (March 30, 2020) – The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) is announcing one additional fatality related to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), and is providing an update on the number of positive and recovered cases reported in the state.

In total, seven Delawareans have passed away due to complications from COVID-19. The most recent death involves a 92-year-old female from Sussex County who had significant underlying health conditions. The source of exposure is currently under investigation. To protect personal health information, DPH will not disclose additional information about the individual who passed away.

There have been 264 total laboratory-confirmed cases in the state since March 11. This includes 32 additional cases since Sunday. Of the Delawareans diagnosed with COVID-19, 156 are from New Castle County, 27 are from Kent County, and 81 are from Sussex County. The total number of positive cases represents a cumulative total of cases, including individuals who are currently ill, and those who are considered recovered.

Twenty-two Delaware residents have recovered from COVID-19. Delaware is considering patients fully recovered seven days after the resolution of their symptoms. Three days after symptoms resolve, patients are no longer required to self-isolate at home; however, they must continue to practice strict social distancing for the remaining four days before returning to their normal daily routine.

Of the 264 cases, 130 are male and 134 are female. The individuals fall in the age range of 1 to 95. Forty-six individuals are currently hospitalized, 14 are critically ill. The source of exposure for many of these positive cases is unknown, which indicates community spread of the virus is occurring in the state. DPH cannot confirm specific information about any individual case even if other persons or entities disclose it independently.

Through the Governor’s State of Emergency, Delawareans are to stay home, except if your business has been deemed essential. The Governor’s order does allow Delawareans who need to see a doctor, pick up a prescription, buy groceries, or engage in other activities essential to their health to leave their residences. If you are sick with any symptoms, including fever, cough, shortness of breath, sore throat and muscle fatigue, stay home. 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.

If you think 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 – might be at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19.

For individuals who are sick, stay home and contact your primary care provider for guidance regarding symptoms and next steps. DPH urges individuals who are sick, even with mild symptoms that would be present with a cold or flu, to stay home to help prevent the spread of illness to others.

Statewide testing at standing health facility testing sites require a physician’s order or prescription to be tested (*Bayhealth patients will be pre-screened via phone without needing to see a provider first). These are not walk-in testing sites. Those without a primary care provider can call the DPH Call Center Line at 1-866-408-1899. Individuals awaiting test results, should wait to hear back from their medical provider. The DPH Call Center does not have test results.

Delawareans with general questions about COVID-19 or their exposure risk can call the Division of Public Health’s Coronavirus Call Center at 1-866-408-1899, or 711 for individuals who are hearing-impaired, from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Questions can also 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.

Existing clients may receive additional benefits for March 2020 and April 2020

NEW CASTLE (March 30, 2020) – Emergency benefits will be made available to Delaware Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participants for the months of March and April as part of a provision set forth by the federal Families First Coronavirus Responses Act of 2020.

Under this federal act – approved by Congress and signed into law March 18 by President Donald Trump – the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) will issue the emergency benefits to any household not already receiving the maximum monthly benefit. SNAP households that already receive the maximum monthly benefit will not receive additional funds.

The emergency benefits will allow the household’s monthly allotment to increase to the maximum allotment for a household of that size as follows:

Each additional person $146

The emergency benefits for March will be released Tuesday evening, March 31, and will automatically load to recipients’ SNAP Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards for use starting Wednesday, April 1.

Emergency benefits for April will be issued April 30 and available May 1. SNAP households will receive their regular April benefits on their usual issuance date.

“These emergency benefits will provide much-needed relief for many Delawareans who are struggling to meet their families’ food and nutritional needs because of the devastating economic impact of the coronavirus crisis,” said Dr. Kara Odom Walker, Cabinet Secretary of the Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS). “Along with these new benefits, DHSS will continue to work with our fellow state agencies and community partners to help reduce the number of individuals and families who are worried about going hungry.”

Currently, more than 120,000 Delawareans receive SNAP benefits. The average size of a SNAP household in Delaware is 2.04 individuals and the average monthly benefit amount is $233. Individuals seeking to apply for SNAP benefits in Delaware may apply online through https://assist.dhss.delaware.gov/ or by phone at 1-866-843-7212.

SMYRNA (March 29, 2020) – The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) is announcing one additional fatality related to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), and is providing an update on the number of positive cases reported in the state.

In total, six Delawareans have passed away due to complications from COVID-19. The most recent death involves a 79-year-old female from New Castle County who was not hospitalized. The individual had underlying health conditions. The source of exposure is related to travel to a state with positive COVID-19 cases. To protect personal health information, DPH will not disclose additional information about the individual who passed away.

There have been 232 total laboratory-confirmed cases in the state since March 11. This includes 18 additional cases since Saturday. Of the Delawareans diagnosed with COVID-19, 141 are from New Castle County, 25 are from Kent County, and 66 are from Sussex County. The total number of positive cases represents a cumulative total of cases, including individuals who are currently ill, and those who are considered recovered. Nine Delaware residents have recovered from COVID-19. Patients are considered fully recovered seven days after the resolution of their symptoms (three days after symptoms resolve, they are no longer required to self-isolate at home; however, they must continue to practice strict social distancing for the remaining four days).

Of the 232 cases, 114 are male and 118 are female. The individuals range in age from 1 to 90. Thirty-three individuals are currently hospitalized, nine are critically ill. The source of exposure for many of these positive cases is unknown, which indicates community spread of the virus is occurring in the state. In an effort to provide more demographic information to the public, additional information has been incorporated into Delaware’s data dashboard located at de.gov/coronavirus. DPH cannot confirm specific information about any individual case even if other persons or entities disclose it independently.

DPH is also announcing a change in its call center operating hours. Due to a reduced volume of calls, the DPH call center will be open from 8:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. It will continue to operate from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday until further notice. The call center number is 1-866-408-1899.

Through the Governor’s State of Emergency, Delawareans are to stay home, except if your business has been deemed essential. The Governor’s order does allow Delawareans who need to see a doctor, pick up a prescription, buy groceries, or engage in other activities essential to their health to leave their residences. If you are sick with any symptoms, stay home. 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.

If you think 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 – might be at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19.

For individuals who are sick, stay home and contact your primary care provider for guidance regarding symptoms and next steps. DPH urges individuals who are sick, even with mild symptoms that would be present with a cold or flu, to stay home to help prevent the spread of illness to others.

Statewide testing at standing health facility testing sites require a physician’s order or prescription to be tested (*Bayhealth patients will be pre-screened via phone without needing to see a provider first). These are not walk-in testing sites. Those without a primary care provider can call the DPH Call Center Line at 1-866-408-1899. Individuals awaiting test results, should wait to hear back from their medical provider. The DPH Call Center does not have test results.

Delawareans with general questions about COVID-19 or their exposure risk can call the Division of Public Health’s Coronavirus Call Center at 1-866-408-1899, or 711 for individuals who are hearing-impaired, from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Questions can also 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.

SMYRNA (March 28, 2020) – The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) is announcing three additional fatalities related to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), and is providing an update on the number of positive cases reported in the state.

In total, five Delawareans have passed away due to complications from COVID-19. The most recent deaths involve a 76-year-old male from New Castle County who was not hospitalized; a 74-year-old Kent County male who was hospitalized; and a 77-year-old Kent County male who was hospitalized. All three individuals had underlying health conditions. The source of exposure for these cases is not confirmed. To protect personal health information, DPH will not disclose additional information about the individuals who passed away.

There have been 214 total laboratory-confirmed cases in the state since March 11. This includes 49 additional cases since Friday. Of the Delawareans diagnosed with COVID-19, 130 are from New Castle County, 25 are from Kent County, and 59 are from Sussex County. The total number of positive cases represents a cumulative total of cases, including individuals who are currently ill, and those who are considered recovered. Nine Delaware residents have recovered from COVID-19.

Patients are considered fully recovered seven days after the resolution of their symptoms (three days after symptoms resolve, they are no longer required to self-isolate at home; however, they must continue to practice extreme social distancing for the remaining four days).

Of the 214 cases, 105 are male and 109 are female. The individuals range in age from 1 to 90. Thirty-one individuals are currently hospitalized, eight are critically ill. To protect personal health information, DPH will not disclose additional information about the individuals. DPH cannot confirm specific information even if other entities choose to make their own announcements.

The source of exposure for many of these positive cases is unknown, which indicates community spread of the virus is occurring in the state. In an effort to provide more demographic information to the public, additional information has been incorporated into Delaware’s data dashboard located at de.gov/coronavirus.

Through the Governor’s State of Emergency, Delawareans are to stay home, except if your business has been deemed essential. The Governor’s order does allow Delawareans who need to see a doctor, pick up a prescription, buy groceries, or engage in other activities essential to their health to leave their residences. If you are sick with any symptoms, stay home. 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.

If you think you have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, or have symptoms of illness, make sure to distance yourself from others, particularly vulnerable populations. This includes people 60 years of age and older; people with serious chronic health conditions such as diabetes, lung disease, heart disease; or those who are immunocompromised.

For individuals who are sick, stay home and contact your primary care provider for guidance regarding symptoms and next steps. DPH urges individuals who are sick, even with mild symptoms that would be present with a cold or flu, to stay home to help prevent the spread of illness to others.

Statewide testing at standing health facility testing sites require a physician’s order or prescription to be tested (*Bayhealth patients will be pre-screened via phone without needing to see a provider first). These are not walk-in testing sites. Those without a primary care provider can call the DPH Call Center Line at 1-866-408-1899. Individuals awaiting test results, should wait to hear back from their medical provider. The DPH Call Center does not have test results.

Delawareans with general questions about COVID-19 or their exposure risk can call the Division of Public Health’s Coronavirus Call Center at 1-866-408-1899, or 711 for individuals who are hearing-impaired, from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Questions can also 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.