CORRECTION: This release includes changes based on new statistical reporting.
SMYRNA (April 10, 2020) – The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) is announcing nine additional fatalities related to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and is providing an update on the number of positive cases and recovered individuals.

DPH is now reporting deaths of laboratory-confirmed individuals and “probable” deaths where the individual had clinically consistent symptoms and was exposed to a confirmed case, but was never tested. In total, 32 Delawareans have passed away due to complications from COVID-19. Individuals who have died from COVID-19 ranged in age from 57 to 94 years old.

The most recent individuals who died all had underlying health conditions, including:

• 69-year-old female from New Castle County, hospitalized
• 87-year-old female from New Castle County, long-term care
• 88-year-old female from New Castle County, long-term care
• 89-year-old female from New Castle County, long-term care
• 89-year-old female from New Castle County, long-term care
• 94-year-old female from New Castle County, long-term care
• 61-year-old male from Sussex County, hospitalized
• 69-year-old female from Sussex County, long-term care
• 82-year-old female from Sussex County, long-term care

There are now 19 care facilities in Delaware that have reported a total of 97 positive COVID-19 cases involving residents/patients or staff. Twenty-one deaths have been related to long-term care facilities, including 18 in New Castle County and 3 in Sussex County. To protect the health privacy of residents, patients and staff, DHSS only identifies facilities with multiple cases. The 14 facilities with multiple positives cases are:

• Little Sisters of the Poor, Newark
• HarborChase of Wilmington
• Governor Bacon Health Center, Delaware City
• Forwood Manor, Wilmington
• Parkview Nursing and Rehab Center, Wilmington
• Country House, Wilmington
• MeadowWood Behavioral Health Hospital, New Castle
• Atlantic Shores Rehab and Health Center, Millsboro
• Genesis HealthCare Milford Center, Milford
• Brandywine Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, New Castle
• Delaware Hospital for the Chronically Ill, Smyrna
• New Castle Health and Rehabilitation, New Castle
• Delaware Psychiatric Center, New Castle

The facility with more than one death is: Little Sisters of the Poor (11).

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:

• 1,326 total laboratory-confirmed cases
• New Castle County cases: 751
• Kent County cases: 230
• Sussex County cases: 336
• Unknown county cases: 9
• Males: 584; Females: 736; Unknown: 6
• Age range: 1 to 97
• Currently hospitalized: 181; Critically ill: 48 (This data represents individuals currently hospitalized in a Delaware hospital regardless of residence, and is not cumulative. Please note that Thursday’s hospitalization rate was incorrect due to a reporting error. The corrected number is 169.)
• Delawareans recovered: 177
• 9,089 negative cases*

*Data on negative cases are preliminary, based on negative results reported to DPH by state and commercial laboratories performing analysis.   

DPH epidemiologists are transitioning to a new data reporting system. During the transition period, not all fields (laboratory-confirmed cases, 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.

Widespread community transmission is occurring throughout the state, which means COVID-19 is actively circulating in the community. 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 (Closed for Easter Sunday). 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.

Governor teams up with popular social network to keep Delawareans informed of the latest on the neighborhood level

WILMINGTON, Del. – Governor John Carney on Friday formally extended the State of Emergency declaration in place to limit the spread of COVID-19, and announced a partnership with the social network Nextdoor to keep Delawareans informed on the neighborhood level. 

Click here for Governor Carney’s State of Emergency extension. Under Delaware law, State of Emergency declarations must be renewed every 30 days.

Also on Friday, Governor Carney released new guidance from the Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) on worship services. Delawareans are urged to celebrate the holiday weekend only with their immediate family members to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Houses of worship must, whenever possible, conduct their activities from home or through remote audio or video services. No more than 10 individuals — including clergy, staff, and participants — may be present inside a religious facility during any service.

“This is a difficult weekend as we continue to fight the spread of COVID-19 in Delaware,” saidGovernor Carney. “I know that so many Delaware families across our state – including mine – traditionally celebrate Easter and Passover surrounded by family. This year will be much different for all of us. The best thing you can do this weekend is stay home. Celebrate with your immediate family members. Protect your family – especially those who are immunocompromised – by not putting them at greater risk. Don’t gather in large groups. Call to check in on your parents and grandparents and connect virtually with family and friends. We’ll get through this, but it’s going to take all of us.”

Nextdoor is a neighborhood social networking platform that allows Delawareans to exchange information, goods, and services with their neighbors. Governor Carney’s office plans to share public health updates, links to various resources, and important messages around the State of Emergency on the platform.

Delawareans should continue to visit de.gov/coronavirus for the latest information on COVID-19 in Delaware, and the State of Delaware’s response. Delawareans SHOULD NOT use Nextdoor to request police or emergency services. If you require police or emergency services, call 911.

“This partnership with Nextdoor will really allow us to reach Delawareans at a neighborhood level, and make sure Delaware families are receiving good information throughout this crisis,” said Governor Carney.

Under Delaware law, State of Emergency declarations must be renewed every 30 days. Governor Carney’s State of Emergency declaration and its ten modifications – including the stay-at-home order for Delawareans and mandatory 14-day quarantine for out-of-state travelers – remain in effect and carry the full force and effect of law.

Violations of an emergency declaration are a criminal offense.

Delawareans with questions about COVID-19, related to medical or social service needs, should call 2-1-1; or 7-1-1 for individuals who are deaf or hard-of-hearing. Hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday; and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the weekends. Questions may 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, visit: de.gov/coronavirus.       

SMYRNA (April 9, 2020) – The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) is announcing four additional fatalities related to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and is providing an update on the number of positive cases and recovered individuals.

In total, 23 Delawareans have passed away due to complications from COVID-19. Individuals who have died from COVID-19 ranged in age from 57 to 94 years old.

Ten of the deaths have been related to long-term care facilities, including nine in New Castle County (six at Little Sisters of the Poor) and one in Sussex County.  A total of 51 individuals from long-term care facilities have tested positive for COVID-19.

The most recent individuals who died all had underlying health conditions, including a:

• 82-year-old male long-term care resident from New Castle County
• 63-year-old female from New Castle County
• 66-year-old male from Sussex County
• 57-year-old male from Sussex County

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:

• 1,209 total laboratory-confirmed cases
• New Castle County cases: 701
• Kent County cases: 214
• Sussex County cases: 294
• Males: 544; Females: 660; Unknown: 5
• Age range: 1 to 97
• Currently hospitalized: 201; Critically ill: 43 (This data represents individuals currently hospitalized in a Delaware hospital regardless of residence, and is not cumulative.)
• Delawareans recovered: 173
• 8,683 negative cases*

*Data on negative cases are preliminary, based on negative results reported to DPH by state and commercial laboratories performing analysis. 

DPH epidemiologists are transitioning to a new data reporting system. During the transition period, not all fields (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.

Widespread community transmission is occurring throughout the state, which means COVID-19 is actively circulating in the community. 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.

DPH began a new collaboration with the United Way of Delaware to better triage incoming calls related to COVID-19. 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.

Income Tax Deadlines Extended
State Tax Due Dates Remain Unchanged

Last week, the Delaware Division of Revenue (DOR) announced that the deadlines for taxpayers to file certain personal and corporate income tax returns and payments had been extended to July 15, 2020 due to “rolling conformity” with federal income tax rules adopted by the IRS in response to the COVID-19 emergency.

The new deadline of July 15, 2020 applies to corporate income tax tentative returns due April 15 as well as final personal income tax returns, estimated personal income tax payments, and fiduciary income tax returns each due April 30.

All State of Delaware agencies continue to process State tax filings, accept tax payments, and issue refunds, where applicable. The State is not extending the deadlines for filing returns and payments for other State taxes and fees, including but not limited to the following categories:

• Personal Income Tax Withholding
• Personal Income Tax Estimated Payment due 6/15/2020
• Corporate Income Tax Tentative Payment due 6/15/2020
• Unemployment Insurance Tax (Non-profits and other reimbursable organizations will receive a 90-day deferment on UI payments)
• Corporate Franchise Tax
• LLC, LP, and GP Annual Tax
• Gross Receipts Tax and Business License Renewals
• Realty Transfer Tax
• Tobacco and Cigarette Tax
• Bank Franchise Tax and Fees
• Insurance Taxes and Fees
• Public Utility Tax
• Alcoholic Beverage Tax
• Public Accommodations Tax
• Motor Fuel Tax

State staff are available to respond to taxpayer questions throughout the COVID-19 emergency. Taxpayers are urged to visit the websites of applicable agencies for additional COVID-19 information or call or email the following offices:

Division of Revenue Leslie A. Poland, Community Relations Coordinator leslie.poland@delaware.gov
Division of Unemployment Insurance DOL_UI_Employer_Tax_Questions@delaware.gov Kenneth Briscoe, Communications Coordinator & Public Information Officer kenneth.briscoe@delaware.gov
Division of Corporations Doug Denison, Director of Community Relations douglas.denison@delaware.gov
Delaware Bank Commissioner Dawn Hollinger, Public Information Officer dawn.hollinger@delaware.gov
Delaware Department of Transportation (302-744-2724) Charles McLeod, Director of Community Relations charles.mcleod@delaware.gov

Reminder: Bathrooms closed in public areas; out-of-state travelers must self-quarantine before visiting state properties

DOVER, Del. – The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control announced today it will take steps when necessary to limit the numbers of visitors within state parks and wildlife areas, following crowding and public health concerns.

Starting Friday, April 10, administrators of parks and wildlife areas will recommend to DNREC Secretary Shawn Garvin that vehicle access be limited at times when visitor usage is observed to be cause crowding and prevent safe social distancing. These limits will be implemented by DNREC’s Natural Resources Police.

“As the days have gotten nicer and the stay-at-home period endures, we have been increasingly concerned to see the behavior of some visitors to our state parks and wildlife areas, with full parking lots and increasingly crowded trails,” said Secretary Shawn Garvin. “Limiting the number of people when we see too much crowding will allow us to keep these public spaces open for individuals who need a break and fresh air, but to keep everyone safe.”

DNREC provided the following tips and guidance for visiting parks and wildlife areas at this time:

• Parks or wildlife areas may be restricted, or areas may be closed if it is determined based on observation of parking lots or groupings of people that lack of responsible social distancing has become an issue.
• While parks and wildlife areas are large, many visitors use the same amenities. Visitors should try to spread out from others within these areas.
• Visitors to parks and wildlife areas are urged to limit the time of their visit so the overall number of people in each area is reduced.
• Consider visiting parks and wildlife areas in off-peak times. For overall visitation, sunnier and warmer days are more popular than cloudier or cooler ones. In many parks, visitors pick up mid-afternoon.
• Bathrooms remain closed in all parks and wildlife areas and at boat ramps.
• Beaches are closed except for exercise, dog-walking and some vehicle surf-fishing under restricted conditions.
• Out-of-state visitors must observe a 14-day quarantine before entering a park or wildlife area.
• Responsible social distancing practices should always be maintained, even while outside.
• All currently allowable activities are subject to change.

These provisions all come under the authority of the Governor’s state of emergency declarations and have the force and effect of law. Any failure to comply with the provisions contained in a Declaration of a State of Emergency or any modification to a Declaration of the State of Emergency can constitute a criminal offense.

Anyone concerned about an individual or group in any state park or wildlife area may contact DNREC’s Natural Resources Police via Tip411, DNREC’s smartphone app, or by calling the 24-hour DNREC Dispatch Center at 302-739-4580. Tip411 allows the public to easily report concerns. The app is available for free download by searching DENRP via the Google Play Store or the iTunes App Store.

For the latest information on COVID-19 in Delaware, visit de.gov/coronavirus.

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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