COVID-19 Update for April 16, 2020: DPH Announces 61 Additional Positive Cases; 6 New Deaths; 24 Additional Recovered

SMYRNA (April 16, 2020) – The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) is announcing six additional fatalities related to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and is providing an update on the number of positive cases and recovered individuals.

Due to system processing delays, today’s positive case total may make it appear that Delaware is leveling out or seeing a decrease in the daily case count, however, that is not an accurate reflection of the situation in Delaware. The surveillance system is expected to be running normally tomorrow, and DPH anticipates seeing a significant increase in the overall number of cases once again.

In total, 52 Delawareans have passed away due to complications from COVID-19.  Individuals who have died from COVID-19 ranged in age from 33 to 96 years old.

The most recent deaths involve individuals with underlying conditions:
• 57-year-old male from New Castle County, hospitalized long-term care resident
• 72-year-old female from New Castle County, hospitalized
• 84-year-old male from New Castle County, hospitalized
• 71-year-old male from New Castle County
• 59-year-old female from Kent County
• 68-year-old male from Sussex County, hospitalized long-term care resident

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, include:
• 2,075 total laboratory-confirmed cases
• New Castle County cases: 1,003
• Kent County cases: 352
• Sussex County cases: 698
• Unknown County: 22
• Males: 944; Females: 1,129; Unknown: 2
• Age range: 1 to 97
• Currently hospitalized: 209; Critically ill: 60 (This data represents individuals currently hospitalized in a Delaware hospital regardless of residence, and is not cumulative.)
• Delawareans recovered: 378
• 11,275 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.

As of today, there have been 97 positive COVID-19 cases involving long-term care facilities in Delaware. Twenty-seven residents of Delaware long-term care facilities have died from complications related to COVID-19. This is a change from the report yesterday. Atlantic Shores Rehabilitation and Health Center was incorrectly listed as having five resident deaths; it has two (2) deaths among residents.

The locations and number of deaths related to long-term care facilities are:
• Little Sisters of the Poor, Newark (11)
• Milford Center, Genesis Healthcare (8)
• Atlantic Shores Rehabilitation and Health Center (2)
• Five New Castle County long-term care facilities (1 death each)
• A Sussex County long-term care facility (1 death)

DPH epidemiologists are transitioning to a new data reporting system. During the transition period, not all fields (county of residence, sex) have complete information.

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.


COVID-19 and the Black Community in Delaware

DHSS Secretary Dr. Kara Odom Walker was joined via Zoom by Dr. Richard Henderson, an OB/GYN and Past President of the Medical Society of Delaware, and Eugene Young, President and CEO of the Metropolitan Wilmington Urban League, in a discussion about the effect of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) on the black community in Delaware and how the state, the medical community and the nonprofit sector are responding.

 


April 17, 1:45pm Live COVID-19 Briefing

Governor Carney, Dr. Karyl Rattay (Director, Division of Public Health), AJ Schall (Director, Delaware Emergency Management Agency), give a COVID-19 briefing.

 


DOL Releases Guidance for Independent Contractors and Self-employed Seeking Unemployment Through the CARES Act

[WILMINGTON, DE] THURSDAY APRIL 16, 2020 – The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act recently passed by the United States Congress and signed into law on March 27th provides unemployment assistance to independent contractors and those self-employed who have been affected by the Coronavirus.

Most state’s unemployment systems determine eligibility and process payments for workers whose wages are reported by their employers and verified through the Division of Unemployment Insurance (DUI). In order to begin processing claims for this new category of eligible individuals and prevent fraud, abuse and identity theft, the Federal US Department of Labor requires that states design new systems to pay benefits to independent contractors/self-employed and ensure the validity of their claims.

Delaware Department of Labor (DOL) is currently working with a vendor to design and test new technologies that will integrate with our existing benefits claims system. This technology will allow the Division of Unemployment Insurance (DUI) to verify earnings reported to the IRS and determine the eligibility of independent contractors and the self-employed to apply for benefits under the (CARES) Act.

We anticipate that these workers will be able to apply through this new system within 3-6 weeks. We will provide more details regarding implementation and how to apply on our website next week.

“The hardship that the coronavirus pandemic has placed on Delaware workers is unprecedented. These workers will receive the much-needed assistance provided to them under the CARES Act. We are working around the clock to make that happen; Hopefully, ahead of schedule” said Cerron Cade, Secretary of the Delaware Department of Labor.

Once the system is ready to receive applications from those who are self-employed or are independent contractors, DOL will require specific documentation available at the time you submit your application online. The documents you will need are as follows:

  • Driver license or State issued Identification
  • Your last year’s income tax statement or quarterly earnings statement
  • State of Delaware Business License number
  • Current bank account number and routing number

To date, DOL has processed and paid 70% of initial claims for benefits submitted to their offices since March 1st and is currently paying more than $30 million in benefits to affected workers each week. The agency has received more than 60,000 claims in 4 weeks; nearly double the total number of claims received in 2019.

To view our most updated frequently asked questions (FAQ’s) regarding unemployment insurance, and to be notified when the application for benefits is available for self-employed individuals and independent contractors in Delaware, text uifacts to 555888.

Additional resources are available on our websites at dol.delaware.gov or ui.delawareworks.com. You can also call our offices at 302-761-8446. Call hold time is longer than usual. For a quicker response please email uiclaims@delaware.gov. Include your full name, including middle initial, contact information and claim number.

To process an initial claim for unemployment benefits please visit ui.delawareworks.com

Delawareans with questions about coronavirus [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 people who are hearing impaired from 8:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, or email DPHCall@delaware.gov. For the latest on Delaware’s response, go to de.gov/coronavirus.


Delaware celebrates 50th anniversary of Earth Day

DNREC hosts a virtual Earth Day Scavenger Hunt and Pledge

DOVER, Del. – Delawareans are invited to join millions of people around the globe to celebrate Earth Day on April 22. The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control will host a virtual event through the end of the month for Delawareans to celebrate the natural world, engage in environmental education and contribute to a resolve for sustainable change.

While annual volunteer clean-up events and other community activities have been canceled this year, the Earth Day 2020 Scavenger Hunt and Pledge focuses on how to take care of the planet.

Beginning today, look for daily questions posted on Facebook, search for clues on DNREC’s website, and reply to the original post with answers. Participants will be challenged by a range of questions related to climate change, recycling, state parks and more. Winners will be selected randomly each day for prizes, including Delaware State Parks passes and eco-friendly products.

Delawareans are also invited to enjoy special interactive home-based activities and post selfies on facebook.com/DNREC to be eligible for random prize drawings. Everyone is encouraged to take the online pledge to adopt activities with a positive environmental impact, not just for Earth Day, but all year long.

“At DNREC, we make every day Earth Day – working to build a cleaner and healthier Delaware,” said Secretary Shawn Garvin. “There is no more timely opportunity than the 50th anniversary of Earth Day for Delawareans to join us and other people around the globe to promote the conservation of our planet.”

The first Earth Day in 1970 was a coast-to-coast celebration and movement to mobilize an emerging public consciousness about pollution. Earth Day led to passage of landmark environmental laws in the United States, including the Clean Air, Clean Water and Endangered Species Acts.

In Delaware at that time, the General Assembly had made a commitment to preserving and protecting the environment by passing a bill in 1969 to create a new state agency that would soon become DNREC. Now in its 50th year, DNREC offers programs that support cleaner transportation, energy conservation, renewable energy, recycling and more.

About DNREC

The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control protects and manages the state’s natural resources, protects public health, provides outdoor recreational opportunities and educates Delawareans about the environment. For more information, visit the website and connect with DNREC on Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn.

Media Contact: Nikki Lavoie, nikki.lavoie@delaware.gov

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