DOVER, DE (Dec. 20, 2022) – The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) is announcing changes to COVID-19 testing access in Delaware. Based on operational needs, DPH’s valued partner Curative has decided not to renew its testing contract with the state when it ends in the next two weeks. As a result, Wednesday, Dec. 28 will be the last day for Curative test site collection. Other Curative sites, such as the one located at the University of Delaware, have already closed. The last day for Curative testing at Delaware State Service Centers will be Friday, Dec. 23.

“We greatly appreciate the incredible support and service that Curative has provided to the residents of Delaware throughout the pandemic,” said DPH Interim Director Dr. Rick Hong. “We recognize that some people may be concerned about this change, but we want to reassure Delawareans that there remains ample access to COVID-19 testing in the state. DPH will continue to support federal programs that facilitate testing and treatments, continue to offer free testing at public health clinics, and inform the public about how to obtain at-home test kits, in most cases, for free. Testing remains a critical tool for detecting COVID-19 in patients, leading to faster treatment. Through our community partners we will continue to meet public health needs. Getting vaccinated is still the most effective way to help protect yourself against severe COVID-19 illness and death, and we encourage Delawareans to speak with their health care provider to discuss available options.” 

There are still many COVID-19 testing options available in Delaware: 

1. Search our online testing locator at de.gov/gettested for other available testing locations such as pharmacies, Federally Qualified Health Centers or provider offices. *

*Most sites will require a person to show their insurance card. Those without insurance will be charged. Often, medically necessary tests will be no charge, but non-medically necessary testing could cost $130 or more for people who are uninsured.  Contact the site in advance to confirm insurance requirements.

Those who need test results for travel should search the testing locator to find out which sites offer PCR tests, as rapid antigen tests are not accepted to satisfy federal travel requirements. DPH suggests individuals contact the location directly to learn more about result turn-around times.

2. Contact your primary care provider. 
3. Those who are uninsured and underinsured can visit a DPH Public Health Clinic for free testing. 
4. Secure an at-home test kit. 

4. 1. The White House just announced that it is making up to four free at-home tests per household available on Covidtest.gov. Tests will be mailed to your home after registration.
   2. Insured individuals are eligible for up to eight free at-home tests per covered member per month.  Most people with a health plan can go online, or to a pharmacy or store to get an at-home COVID-19 test at no cost, either through reimbursement or free of charge through their insurance. Learn more details here.
   3. Medicare Part B Recipients – Delawareans with Medicare Part B, including those enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan, have access to over-the-counter COVID-19 tests at no cost. The initiative continues until the COVID-19 public health emergency ends. People with Medicare can get up to eight tests per calendar month from participating pharmacies and health care providers.
   4. Community Organizations – They can order cases of free at-home test kits from DPH to distribute within your communities by filling out this form: https://coronavirus.delaware.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/177/2020/10/SHOC-Resource-Request-Form.pdf and emailing it to dhss06sg_shoc_operations@delaware.gov . If organizations have questions about completing the form, they can email the staff at SHOC operations using the email address indicated for submitting the form, and staff will assist them.
   5. At-home test kits are available for purchase at pharmacies, grocery stores and many other locations throughout the state. Most fall in the range of between $10 and $25. 

DPH reminds the public not to go to a hospital Emergency Department (ED) just for a COVID test. Hospitals are managing heavy volumes of patient visits for influenza and other respiratory viruses and a COVID-test in and of itself is not considered an emergency. You should visit an ED if you are having chest pains or difficulty breathing, have serious burns, or broken bones. If you need a PCR test so you can get COVID treatment prescribed for you, visit https://coronavirus.delaware.gov/covid-19-treatment-options/ and learn more about Test to Treat resources in the State.

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.   

If you are experiencing a medical emergency, please dial or text 9-1-1.

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. 

Anyone who is deaf, hard of hearing, Deaf-Blind, or speech-disabled can contact DPH by first dialing 711 using specialized devices (i.e., TTY, TeleBraille, voice devices). The 711 service is free; to learn more about how it works, visit delawarerelay.com.  

1. Los hogares de SNAP que reciben la cantidad máxima de beneficios de alimentos para el tamaño de su hogar recibirán $95 en beneficios de alimentos de emergencia.
2. A los hogares de SNAP con un monto calculado de beneficios de alimentos de emergencia menor a $95 se les aumentará su beneficio de emergencia a $95.
3. Los hogares de SNAP con un monto de beneficio de emergencia calculado de $95 o más continuarán recibiendo el monto de beneficio de emergencia calculado para aumentar el beneficio mensual del hogar hasta el monto máximo de beneficio para el tamaño de su hogar. 

“Estos beneficios mensuales de emergencia han sido críticos para muchos individuos y familias en Delaware que han experimentado dificultades económicas y dificultades de salud durante la pandemia de COVID-19,” dijo la Secretaria del DHSS Molly Magarik. “A medida que los casos de COVID-19, las hospitalizaciones y las muertes continuan en declinar en Delaware, es previsto que estos beneficios mejorados finalicen en los próximos meses, y alentamos a los residentes de Delaware que han dependido de estos fondos adicionales cada mes a que se preparen para ese día. Seguimos estando agradecidos con el gobierno federal y nuestra delegación en el Congreso por hacer que estos recursos necesarios estén disponibles para los más necesitados en nuestro estado.” 

DOVER, DE (October 14, 2022) – The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) reports that the 7-day average of new positive COVID-19 cases has decreased for the third consecutive month. Deaths remain low, and hospitalization rates are holding steady. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) COVID-19 Community Levels data tracker, which factors in data on hospitalizations and cases in each county to determine recommended community prevention strategies, COVID-19 community levels in Kent County are now high, Sussex County remains at medium, while levels in New Castle County continue to be listed as low as of October 13.    

This week, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted Emergency Use Authorization to Pfizer for the bivalent booster for ages 5-11 and to Moderna for their bivalent booster for those ages 6-17 who have received their primary series of vaccination at least two months before (a minimum of two doses of Pfizer, Moderna or Novavax). The CDC Director also signed off on the expanded authorization.  Bivalent boosters were previously authorized on Aug. 31 for those ages 12+ for Pfizer, and for Moderna, ages 18+.  Moderna’s bivalent booster for ages 5-11 will utilize the same product as the adult booster, just at a lesser dose. Pfizer’s bivalent booster for youth will come in a separate vial as it requires dilution, while the adult formula does not, for more information, visit de.gov/boosters. 

The updated boosters target two strains of COVID-19: the original strain of the virus, and two of the Omicron variants (BA.4 and BA.5), currently, the most widespread variants in the world. To reduce confusion among the public and vaccine providers, and because they do not offer the increased levels of protection provided by the bivalent boosters, the original (monovalent) booster formula is no longer authorized for use in those 5 and older. Medical providers may no longer administer them. Individuals who have recently had COVID-19 are strongly encouraged to get a bivalent booster to optimize their protection, even if they received a monovalent booster before. Those who recently had COVID-19 should also get the new booster but should consider waiting three months after they have recovered from the virus.  

DPH strongly encourages everyone to get their bivalent booster as soon as they are eligible, and well in advance of any possible surge in the late fall or winter.   A recent Commonwealth Fund study found that if 80% of eligible individuals 5 and older receive their booster dose by the end of 2022, it would prevent about 90,000 deaths and more than 936,000 hospitalizations, while also preventing $56 billion in medical costs in the next six months. However, if the current pace of vaccinations remains unchanged nationwide through March 2023, a potential winter surge in the United States could result in as many as 16,000 hospitalizations and 1,200 deaths per day, the study found.  

Individuals may also get a booster at the same time as they get their annual flu vaccine, either in the same arm at least one inch apart, or in different arms. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention encourages everyone 6 months older to get their flu vaccine by Halloween amid concerns of a potentially severe flu season. This week, DPH confirmed that flu is statewide and has already recorded the state’s first pediatric case of the season as well. Flu vaccines and bivalent boosters are available at DPH clinics, many pharmacies, Federally Qualified Health Centers and some community events. You can find a list of locations for COVID vaccines at de.gov/getmyvaccine. or at vaccines.gov. Locations for flu vaccines can be found on the flu finder on the flu.delaware.gov webpage. More details on the bivalent booster can be found at de.gov/boosters.  

The webpage also has a link to a flier for the public which highlights some similarities between the labels of bivalent boosters and some primary series vaccines. Those getting a booster are encouraged to print and take a copy of the flier with them, or pull it up on their phone’s web browser, and ask the vaccine provider to show them the vial that your bivalent booster is being drawn from so they can confirm it is the correct one. It is an important step in being an educated health consumer and advocate for your personal health.  

The below data is as reported on Delaware’s My Health Community data portal on Thursday, Oct. 13, 2022.  

COVID-19 Cases and Hospitalizations:  

• Total positive cases since March 11, 2020: 310,819*
• 7-day daily average of new positive cases: 146.4, a decrease of 49.7 average new positive cases reported since Sept 15, 2022  
• 7-day daily average for the percentage of total positive tests: 9.9 percentage points, a decrease of 2.6 percentage points reported since Sept. 15, 2022  
• Hospitalizations: 105 current hospitalizations; critically ill: 8
• Total COVID-19 deaths: 3,121, an increase of 41 since last month including 35 as a result of ongoing Vital Statistics reviews of deaths occurring between June and September.*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: 1,973,133
• Percentage of Delawareans 5+ who are fully vaccinated (CDC data): 75.7%  
• Percentage of Delawareans 12+ who are fully vaccinated (CDC data): 79.8%  
• Percentage of Delawareans 18+ who are fully vaccinated (CDC data): 81.3%  
• Percent of Delawareans who are fully vaccinated (CDC data): 71.6%  

All qualifying Delawareans should get vaccinated. For a location near you, visit de.gov/getmyvaccine. Delaware’s latest COVID-19 vaccination statistics can be found under the Vaccine Tracker dashboard at de.gov/healthycommunity.  

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 Sep 26 – Oct 2, 2022.  
  

Non-boosted: Case – Hospital – Death

Note: Case and Hospitalization Count: based on RTS (Report to State Date) Death: based on DoD (Date of Death)  

Long-term Care Statistics:  

As of Thursday, October 13, 2022, there have been a total of 4,705 positive COVID-19 cases involving long-term care residents, and 989 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.  

A person who is deaf, hard-of-hearing, deaf-blind or speech-disabled can call the DPH phone number above by using TTY services. Dial 7-1-1 or 800-232-5460 to type your conversation to a relay operator, who reads your conversation to a hearing person at DPH. The relay operator types the hearing person’s spoken words back to the TTY user. To learn more about TTY availability in Delaware, visit http://delawarerelay.com. 

WILMINGTON, Del. – Governor Carney on Thursday formally extended the Public Health Emergency order another 30 days to allow the State of Delaware and medical providers to continue COVID-19 vaccination and testing programs.

“It’s important that we keep doing the things we know that work,” said Governor Carney. “Stay home if you’re sick and get tested. Get vaccinated and boosted when you’re eligible. I’d also encourage all eligible Delawareans to get a flu shot to prepare for flu season.”

Under Delaware law, Public Health Emergency declarations must be renewed every 30 days.

Visit Governor Carney’s website to view the Public Health Emergency extension.

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