DOVER, DE (June 17, 2022) – The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) reports an overall decrease in COVID-19 cases and hospitalization since the previous monthly COVID-19 update released on May 21, 2022. While COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and deaths are experiencing a decreasing trend, DPH encourages Delawareans to rely on trusted prevention actions to stay one step ahead of COVID-19 during this event-filled weekend that includes Father Day, Juneteenth, and ongoing Pride celebrations. Delawareans can stay safe by:

 

• Staying home when sick, and getting tested for COVID-19
• Wearing a mask, including in public indoor areas
• Remaining up to date with recommended COVID-19 vaccinations including boosters
• Turning to trusted sources for information on COVID-19 including treatment options

 

Vaccine for Infants and Children

On June 15, the FDA’s medical advisory committee VRBPAC, authorized Moderna’s vaccine for children ages 6 months through 5 years old and Pfizer’s vaccine for children ages 6 months through 4 years old.  The FDA Director Peter Marks signed off on the committee’s authorization on Friday, June 17. The CDC’s advisory committee met earlier today on June 17^th to discuss the vaccines. The committee is expected to vote on their use on Saturday, June 18^th.  A formal sign-off is still required from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) director before vaccine administration can begin.  

The first shipments of vaccine for children under 5 years old will arrive in Delaware on June 20^th, and the earliest that vaccine administrations, pending the CDC’s vote, are expected to begin is June 21^st (though this may vary by site). Not all providers ordered vaccine for this first wave. The Division of Public Health has placed information about these pediatric vaccines on de.gov/youthvaccine.  New locations will be added regularly. 

The Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine is administered as a primary series of two doses, one month apart, to individuals 6 months through 5 years of age. Effectiveness varies by age. The most commonly reported side effects across all age subgroups included pain, redness and swelling at the injection site, fever and underarm swelling/tenderness at the injection site.

The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine is administered as a primary series of three doses in which the initial two doses are administered three weeks apart followed by a third dose administered at least eight weeks after the second dose in individuals 6 months through 4 years of age. The most common side effects included irritability, decreased appetite, fever, headache, chills and pain, tenderness, redness and swelling at the injection site.

COVID-19 Cases and Hospitalizations:

• Total positive cases since March 11, 2020: 281,986
• 7-day daily average of new positive cases: 259.9 a decrease of 314.8 average new positive cases reported since May 21, 2022
• 7-day daily average for the percentage of total positive tests: 14.1 percentage points, a difference of 4.9 percentage points reported since May 21, 2022
• Hospitalizations: 109, current hospitalizations; critically ill: 12
• Total COVID-19 deaths: 2,977, an increase of 38 since last month, including 25 deaths from a review of vital statistics

COVID-19 Vaccinations:  

• Total number of doses administered in Delaware: 1,109,960
• Percentage of Delawareans 5+ who are fully vaccinated (CDC data): 74.1% 
• Percentage of Delawareans 12+ who are fully vaccinated (CDC data): 78.3%  
• Percentage of Delawareans 18+ who are fully vaccinated (CDC data): 79.8% 
• Percent of Delawareans who are fully vaccinated (CDC data): 69.9%  

  

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 June 06 – June 12, 2022. 

 

Weekly Overview (06/06/22 – 06/12/22)
Non-boosted Cases
Total Non-boosted Cases	1573
Total Cases	2258
Percent of Non-boosted Cases	69%
Non-boosted Hospitalized Cases
Total Non-boosted Hospitalized Cases	96
Total Hospitalized Cases	147
Percent of Non-boosted Cases	65%
Non-boosted Deaths
Total Non-boosted Deaths	0
Total COVID-19 Deaths	1
Percent of Non-boosted Deaths	0%

 

 

Long-term Care Statistics:  

As of Friday, June 17, 2022, there have been a total of 4,060 positive COVID-19 cases involving long-term care residents, and 964 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.  

 

For the latest information on the flu in Delaware, visit flu.delaware.gov. 

  

Delawareans 18 or older are encouraged to download COVID Alert DE, Delaware’s free exposure notification app to help protect your neighbors while ensuring your privacy. Download on the App Store or Google Play.  

  

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

  

The Delaware Department of Health and Social Services 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.

DOVER, DE (June 1, 2022) – The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) is announcing the launch of Delaware WIC’s new educational website.

The website includes information on nutrition, breastfeeding, and WIC’s programming for families, covering all stages of pregnancy, postpartum, infancy and children up to five years of age. It currently includes a link to information and contact numbers related to the baby formula shortage. The site can be accessed at Delaware.WICresources.org.

WIC, also known as the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infant and Children, is a federal nutrition program that helps pregnant women, new mothers, and young children eat well and learn about nutrition.

WIC provides nutritious foods to supplement diets, information on healthy eating, breastfeeding support, referrals to health care, welfare and social services, and nutrition education.

The new Delaware WIC site provides evidence-based information on breastfeeding, nutritional feeding practices, and information for expectant mothers and fathers.

The website also features information on the Delaware WIC Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program which begins June 1 and ends October 31. The Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program materials, located on the site, guide participants on how and where to redeem their one-time $30 nutrition coupon provided by the program.

“Delaware is fully committed to the health and well-being of our residents, particularly our children,” said DPH Director Dr. Karyl Rattay. “Good health starts with good nutrition. The launch of the Delaware WIC website is happening at a time when it is needed the most. Families can learn how to access healthy foods at Delaware’s farmers’ markets, and they can also get up-to-date information on WIC and its related programs, including information on breastfeeding and infant formula.”

The new website marks a pivotal change in how Delaware WIC provides nutrition education materials. During the pandemic, WIC pivoted from an in-person service provider to offering services virtually. The COVID-19 pandemic presented unique opportunities to provide WIC services to at-risk women, infants and children who may not have participated in WIC before. Waivers permitted WIC to deliver benefits remotely and offered opportunities for nutrition education and breastfeeding support virtually to WIC families. Participants have fully embraced this new model of delivering WIC services to the community.

WIC is one of the nation’s largest federal nutrition programs, serving approximately 6.3 million people nationally, including about half of all infants born in the United States. WIC supports the short- and long-term health of low-income pregnant, postpartum, and breastfeeding women, infants and children up to age 5.

In Fiscal Year 2021, the Delaware WIC program served 17,199 participants, including 9,107 participants in New Castle County, 4,353 in Kent County and 3,739 in Sussex County.

Delawareans are encouraged to visit Delaware.WICresources.org or follow Delaware WIC on Facebook, Instagram or YouTube where they will find information on Delaware WIC’s programs and healthy recipes using WIC-approved ingredients.

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

Delaware Health and Social Services 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.

Los Hogares Elegibles Para SNAP Recibirán Asistencia de Emergencia Para Alimentos P-EBT el 3 de Junio

NEW CASTLE (1 de Junio de 2022) – Las familias de Delaware que reciben beneficios de alimentos del Programa de Asistencia Nutricional Suplementaria (SNAP) obtendrán asistencia de emergencia de alimentos a través del programa de Transferencia Electrónica de Beneficios por la Pandemia (P-EBT) para niños menores de 6 años que viven en sus hogares. Los hogares elegibles para SNAP recibirán P-EBT para el año escolar 2021-2022 (Septiembre de 2021 a Junio de 2022).

La División de Servicios Sociales emitirá el beneficio P-EBT de Otoño de 2021 el 3 de junio para niños menores de 6 años. Un niño es elegible para este beneficio P-EBT si se cumplieron tres condiciones desde septiembre hasta diciembre de 2021:

1. El niño era menor de 6 años
2. El niño es miembro de una familia que recibe beneficios de SNAP.
3. El niño vivía en un área donde una o más escuelas estaban cerradas u operadas con asistencia u horas reducidas debido a COVID-19.

El beneficio P-EBT de Otoño de 2021 cubre los meses de Septiembre, Octubre, Noviembre y Diciembre de 2021. Por cada niño elegible menor de 6 años, el hogar SNAP recibirá un monto de beneficio estándar de $35 por mes por cada mes desde septiembre hasta diciembre de 2021 que el hogar recibió beneficios de alimentos SNAP.

Los hogares de SNAP recibirán beneficios de P-EBT en sus tarjetas SNAP EBT existentes y pueden usar sus beneficios de P-EBT al igual que los beneficios de alimentos de SNAP para comprar alimentos elegibles en tiendas y mercados de agricultores que acepten SNAP EBT. Los hogares recibirán el beneficio P-EBT de Otoño de 2021 para todos los niños menores de 6 años en su hogar el 3 de Junio. Los hogares recibirán beneficios P-EBT solo para niños menores de 6 años durante los meses en que el hogar recibió beneficios de alimentos SNAP durante el período P-EBT.

“Estamos agradecidos de que tantos de los estudiantes más jóvenes de Delaware hayan podido regresar a aprender en persona durante el año escolar 2021-22,” dijo la Secretaria del Departamento de Salud y Servicios Sociales (DHSS), Molly Magarik. “Para aquellos cuyas familias que perdieron clases en persona debido a que las escuelas cambiaron a clases virtuales durante los períodos de los aumentos repentinos de Delta y Omicron, el beneficio de Pandemia EBT de emergencia de alimentos es una forma de recompensar los alimentos perdidas en la escuela. También ofrecemos nuestro agradecimiento a la delegación del Congreso de Delaware por apoyar este importante beneficio alimentario federal para nuestras familias vulnerables.”

La División de Servicios Sociales estima que se emitirá $5.5 millones en beneficios P-EBT a familias de aproximadamente 15,850 niños menores de 6 años en hogares SNAP durante el año escolar 2021-2022.

Los hogares elegibles de SNAP recibirán una notificación por escrito en el correo con respecto a los beneficios de P-EBT. Los hogares no necesitan realizar ninguna acción para recibir los beneficios de P-EBT.

La División de Servicios Sociales emitirá los beneficios P-EBT de la Primavera de 2022 más adelante.

Los hogares de SNAP que incluyen niños en edad escolar que son elegibles para P-EBT continuarán recibiendo beneficios de P-EBT para esos niños en las fechas de emisión de beneficios programadas. Consulte el sitio web de P-EBT de Delaware para obtener más detalles.

Comuníquese con la División de Servicios Sociales al 1-866-843-7212 si tiene preguntas sobre el Programa P-EBT de Delaware. Puede encontrar más información sobre el programa en: https://dhss.delaware.gov/dhss/dss/pebt.html

Eligible SNAP Households Will Receive P-EBT Emergency Food Assistance on June 3

NEW CASTLE (June 1, 2022) – Delaware families receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) food benefits will get emergency food assistance through the Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) program for children under the age of 6 living in their households. Eligible SNAP households will receive P-EBT for the 2021-2022 school year (September 2021 through June 2022).

The Division of Social Services is issuing the Fall 2021 P-EBT benefit on June 3 for children under the age of 6. A child is eligible for this P-EBT benefit if three conditions were met from September through December 2021:

1. The child was under the age of 6.
2. The child was a member of a household that received SNAP food benefits.
3. The child lived in an area where one or more schools were closed or operated with reduced attendance or hours because of COVID-19.

The Fall 2021 P-EBT benefit covers the months of September, October, November, and December 2021. For each eligible child under age 6, the SNAP household will receive a standard benefit amount of $35 per month for each month from September through December 2021 that the household received SNAP food benefits.

SNAP households will receive P-EBT benefits on their existing SNAP EBT cards and can use their P-EBT benefits just like SNAP food benefits to buy eligible food items at stores and farmer’s markets that accept SNAP EBT. Households will receive the Fall 2021 P-EBT benefit for all children under the age of 6 in their home on June 3. Households will receive P-EBT benefits only for children under the age of 6 for the months that the household received SNAP food benefits during the P-EBT period.

“We are grateful that so many of Delaware’s youngest students were able to return to in-person learning during the 2021-22 school year,” said Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) Secretary Molly Magarik. “For those whose families missed in-person classes because schools switched to virtual classes during periods of the Delta and Omicron surges, the Pandemic EBT emergency food benefit is a way to make up for those missed meals in school. We also offer our thanks to Delaware’s congressional delegation for supporting this important federal food benefit for our vulnerable families.”

The Division of Social Services estimates it will issue $5.5 million in P-EBT benefits to families of approximately 15,850 children under the age of 6 in SNAP households during the 2021-2022 school year.

Eligible SNAP households will receive written notification in the mail regarding P-EBT benefits. Households do not need to take any action to receive P-EBT benefits.

The Division of Social Services will issue Spring 2022 P-EBT benefits at a later time.

SNAP households that include school-age children who are eligible for P-EBT will continue to receive P-EBT benefits for those children on the scheduled benefit issuance dates. Check Delaware’s P-EBT website for details.

Please contact the Division of Social Services at 1-866-843-7212 if you have questions about Delaware’s P-EBT Program. More information about the program can be found at: https://dhss.delaware.gov/dhss/dss/pebt.html

WILMINGTON, Del. – Governor John 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, and issued the following statement: 

“Positive cases are increasing here in Delaware and it’s important people stay one step ahead of COVID-19,” said Governor Carney. “Keep doing the things we know that work. Stay home if you’re sick and get tested. Mask up in public indoor settings or if you are at a higher risk for illness. Get vaccinated and boosted when you’re eligible.”

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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