SMYRNA (April 25, 2020) – The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) is announcing 12 additional fatalities related to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and is providing an update on the number of positive cases and recovered individuals. All data reported through the daily updates are based on data received as of 6 p.m. the previous day.

In total,112 Delawareans have passed away due to complications from COVID-19. Individuals who have died from COVID-19 ranged in age from 32 to 103 years old. Of those who have died, 59 were females and 53 were males. A total of 52 individuals were from New Castle County, 18 were from Kent County, and 42 were from Sussex County. Seventy-one of the deaths involved residents from long-term care facilities.

Starting today, DPH will provide demographic information for COVID-19-related deaths in aggregate only, and will no longer provide demographics of each individual person who died.

The most recent deaths announced today ranged in age from 61 to 97. Four were females and eight were males. Seven were New Castle County residents, three were Kent County residents, and two were Sussex County residents. All of the most recent deaths involved individuals with underlying health conditions. Ten individuals were residents of long-term care facilities. DPH learned that two previously reported deaths were residents of long-term care facilities, therefore those individuals are now included among the total fatalities related to long-term care.

To protect personal health information, DPH will not 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, provided as of 6 p.m., Thursday, April 24, include:

• 3,576 total laboratory-confirmed cases
• New Castle County cases: 1,504
• Kent County cases: 579
• Sussex County cases: 1,490
• Unknown County: 3
• Males: 1,613; Females: 1,936; Unknown: 27
• Age range: 0 to 103
• Currently hospitalized: 300; Critically ill: 61 (This data represents individuals currently hospitalized in a Delaware hospital regardless of residence, and is not cumulative.)
• Delawareans recovered: 809
• 14,122 negative cases*
  *Data are provisional and subject to change. Data on negative cases are preliminary, based on negative results reported to DPH by state and commercial laboratories performing analysis.

Additional demographic data on COVID-19 cases and deaths, including race/ethnicity, more age-specific data and rates information by ZIP code, can be found on the Division of Public Health’s My Healthy Community data portal. The data on My Healthy Community will supplement, not replace, the daily case data displayed on de.gov/coronavirus.

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 of the following symptoms, stay home: fever, cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, muscle fatigue, or digestive symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain or lack of appetite. 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. In New Castle County, individuals can call ChristianaCare at 1-302-733-1000 and Sussex County residents who do not have a provider can call the Beebe COVID-19 Screening Line at 302-645-3200. Individuals awaiting test results should wait to hear back from their medical provider. The DPH Call Center does not have test results.

Anyone with a question about COVID-19, whether related to medical or social service needs, should call Delaware 2-1-1; or 7-1-1 for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing, or text your ZIP code to 898-211. Hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

In addition, the Division of Public Health asks any Delaware health care, long-term care, residential, or other high-risk facility with questions or concerns to email: DPH_PAC@delaware.gov or call the DPH Call Center at 1-866-408-1899 and press ext. 2.

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.

A statement from Governor Carney on Delaware Schools:

“We made the difficult decision today – in consultation with superintendents across our state – to close schools through the rest of the academic year. I know this will be difficult for a lot of Delawareans, and Delaware students. Nothing replaces in-person instruction, and the services that are delivered in our schools every day, but the health and safety of Delawareans is our first priority.

“I am confident that school leaders and educators across our state will continue to lean into remote instruction for the rest of this academic year. Our schools also have done a tremendous job delivering meals to students in their communities. That work will also continue. I want to thank all of our educators, students, school leaders and families for their work during this difficult time.”

SMYRNA (April 24, 2020) – The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) is announcing eight additional fatalities related to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and is providing an update on the number of positive cases and recovered individuals.  All data reported through the daily updates are based on data received as of 6 p.m. the previous day.

In total,100 Delawareans have passed away due to complications from COVID-19.  Individuals who have died from COVID-19 ranged in age from 32 to 103 years old.

The most recent deaths all involve individuals with underlying health conditions, including:

• 58-year-old female from New Castle County, hospitalized long-term care resident
• 69-year-old male from New Castle County, hospitalized
• 71-year-old male from New Castle County, hospitalized
• 96-year-old female from New Castle County, long-term care facility
• 102-year-old male from New Castle County, long-term care facility
• 54-year-old female from Sussex County, long-term care facility
• 79-year-old female from Sussex County, hospitalized
• 87-year-old male from Sussex County, hospitalized

To protect personal health information, DPH will not 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, provided as of 6 p.m., Thursday, April 23, include:

• 3,442 total laboratory-confirmed cases
• New Castle County cases: 1,486
• Kent County cases: 558
• Sussex County cases: 1,394
• Unknown County: 4
• Males: 1,557; Females: 1,879; Unknown: 6
• Age range: 0 to 103
• Currently hospitalized: 277; Critically ill: 63 (This data represents individuals currently hospitalized in a Delaware hospital regardless of residence, and is not cumulative.)
• Delawareans recovered: 703
• 13,937 negative cases*
  *Data are provisional and subject to change. Data on negative cases are preliminary, based on negative results reported to DPH by state and commercial laboratories performing analysis.  

Beginning today, additional demographic data on COVID-19 cases and deaths, including race/ethnicity, more age-specific data and rate information by ZIP code, can be found on the Division of Public Health’s My Healthy Community data portal. In May 2019, DPH launched the My Healthy Community data portal to deliver neighborhood-focused population health, environmental and social determinant of health data to the public and allows them to explore a variety of data indicators related to community characteristics, the environment, chronic disease, mental health and substance use. The COVID-19 data on My Healthy Community will supplement, not replace, the daily case data displayed on de.gov/coronavirus.

As of 6 p.m. yesterday, there have been 244 positive COVID-19 cases involving residents of long-term care facilities in Delaware. Fifty-nine residents of Delaware long-term care facilities have died from complications related to COVID-19.

The locations and number of deaths related to long-term care facilities are:

• Milford Center, Genesis Healthcare (19)
• Little Sisters of the Poor, Newark (11)
• Brandywine Nursing and Rehabilitation Center (5)
• Parkview Nursing and Rehabilitation (3)
• Atlantic Shores Rehabilitation and Health Center (3)
• New Castle Health and Rehabilitation Center (4)
• Delaware Hospital for the Chronically Ill (2)
• Hillside Center (2)
• Governor Bacon Health Center (1)
• Five other New Castle County long-term care facilities (1 death at each facility)
• Three other Sussex County long-term care facilities (1 death at each facility)
• One Kent County long-term care facilities (1 death at the facility)

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 of the following symptoms, stay home: fever, cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, muscle fatigue, or digestive symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain or lack of appetite. 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. In New Castle County, individuals can call ChristianaCare at 1-302-733-1000 and Sussex County residents who do not have a provider can call the Beebe COVID-19 Screening Line at 302-645-3200. Individuals awaiting test results, should wait to hear back from their medical provider. The DPH Call Center does not have test results.

Anyone with a question about COVID-19, whether related to medical or social service needs, should call Delaware 2-1-1; or 7-1-1 for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing, or text your ZIP code to 898-211. Hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

In addition, the Division of Public Health asks any Delaware health care, long-term care, residential, or other high-risk facility with questions or concerns to email: DPH_PAC@delaware.gov or call the DPH Call Center at 1-866-408-1899 and press ext. 2.

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.

Today, United States Attorney David C. Weiss and Delaware Attorney General Kathleen Jennings announced the formation of a new Coronavirus (COVID-19) Anti-Fraud Coalition, aimed at better protecting the citizens of Delaware from criminal and civil fraud arising from the pandemic.

The Coalition is comprised of local, state and federal agencies, investigators and prosecutors with significant experience in handling complaints and cases related to consumer fraud, financial fraud, heath care fraud, and cybercrime.  Together, the Coalition will share information and resources to monitor, identify and investigate misconduct to protect the people of Delaware from those exploiting the COVID-19 pandemic for their own advantage.

Agencies participating in the Coalition include:

• Delaware Department of Justice
• United States Attorney’s Office
• Federal Bureau of Investigation
• U.S. Department of Homeland Security-Homeland Security Investigations
• U.S. Small Business Administration-Office of Inspector General
• U.S. Department of Labor-Office of Inspector General
• Delaware Department of Health & Social Services
• Delaware Office of Management & Budget
• Delaware Department of Transportation
• Delaware Department of Education
• Delaware Department of Insurance
• Delaware Department of Finance
• Delaware Department of Labor
• Delaware Auditor of Accounts
• Delaware State Police
• New Castle County

Participating agencies will take information, tips and complaints from the public, as well as other local law enforcement agencies seeking the Coalition’s assistance.

“This pandemic is ripe for exploitation by scammers,” said Attorney General Jennings. “The Delaware Department of Justice and its Fraud Division works each day to educate consumers, prevent fraud, and bring scammers to justice—but our work will never be done as long as consumers continue to be preyed upon by those who profit shamelessly off of their fears and anxiety. Our collaboration with the U.S. Attorney’s Office is the latest chapter in a longstanding record of partnership, and in this public health and economic crisis it has never been more important for everyone at the federal, state, and local level to collaborate on the people’s behalf.”

“Sadly, criminals look to take advantage of people, regardless of the circumstances,” said David C. Weiss, U.S. Attorney for the District of Delaware.  “But the people of Delaware can rest assured that we will be relentless in bringing to justice those seeking to illegally profit from this crisis. If you believe you are the victim of a scam, or have been contacted by someone falsely claiming to be a representative of the government, please contact the Coalition at one of the below email addresses immediately.  I want to thank our local and state partners for their commitment to combating fraud and protecting Delawareans.  By working together, we are more fully able to identify, investigate, and prosecute these criminal acts of fraud related to the COVID-19 pandemic.  In these challenging times, I am grateful for this type of collaboration, which represents the best of public service.”

Be on the lookout for and be wary of potential COVID-19 scams and abuses. Any information, complaints, or concerns can be reported to the Coalition by email to COVID.DOJ@delaware.gov or USADE-COVIDFRAUD@usdoj.gov.

Delawareans who may have been scammed can also reach out to the Attorney General’s consumer protection hotline at (800) 220-5424. In addition, you can also contact the National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) by hotline (866-720-5721) or to the NCDF e-mail address disaster@leo.gov.

Common scams and frauds include:

• Economic Impact Payment (Stimulus Check):  Scammers pretend to be government officials offering false economic impact payments (stimulus checks) in order to obtain personal identifying information including social security and bank account numbers.
• Diagnosis Testing Scams: Scammers offer fake COVID-19 testing kits, particularly door-to-door.
• Treatment/Cure Scams: Scammers offer fake or unproven treatment regimens that are particularly dangerous because they have the potential to do more harm than good.
• Charity Scams: Virtually every time there is a disaster or emergency, scammers set up fake charities to solicit donations that they then spend on themselves.
• Overinflated prices: The Coalition will use every tool available to hold sellers accountable who unlawfully use the COVID-19 pandemic to unreasonably inflate prices.
• Investment Scams: Scammers make false claims about tests, cures and other matters related to COVID-19 in order to entice victims to make investment decisions based on those false claims that allow the scammer to steal money and assets from Delawareans.
• Cyber Scams: Scammers send victims emails related to COVID-19 that appear to be from the victims’ banks, health care providers, the World Health Organization, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and others for the purpose of obtaining the victims’ personal identifying information and exploiting it for the scammers’ own benefit.
• App Scams: Scammers are creating and manipulating mobile apps designed to track the spread of COVID-19 to insert malware that will compromise users’ devices and personal information.
• Insurance, Workers’ Compensation and Medicaid Fraud: Businesses and government agencies are not immune to scams. They should also be vigilant to ensure scammers do not take advantage of their businesses or customers during this pandemic.
• Scams specifically targeted at seniors: Seniors are more vulnerable than ever to common scams like the Grandparent Scam and Government Imposter Scams.  Consumers receiving a call or any contact claiming that loved ones are in danger or hurt, that they owe money and failure to pay will result in their arrest or other harm, or that their benefits are in jeopardy, do not act. Contact your loved ones or the purported agency using known, trusted contact information not sourced from the suspicious communication.

Governor Carney, Dr. Kara Odom Walker (Secretary, Delaware Department of Health and Social Services), AJ Schall (Director, Delaware Emergency Management Agency)