DPH Reminds Residents to “Spread Joy Not Germs” This Holiday Season

DOVER, Del. (Dec. 11, 2023) – The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) takes the safety and well-being of all Delawareans seriously. With COVID-19, flu and RSV all prevalent this time of year, DPH is actively educating residents about how to mitigate exposure and transmission of these respiratory viruses.

Keeping in the spirit of the holiday season, DPH has taken a lighthearted approach and launched a fun, new, holiday-themed campaign reminding all Delawareans of four simple guidelines that can help them stay safe from respiratory viruses this winter:

  • Get vaccinated for COVID-19, flu and RSV, if eligible.
  • Stay home if you are sick.
  • If you have symptoms or were exposed to someone with a respiratory illness, get tested and seek treatment if you test positive.
  • If cases rise or you are immunocompromised, consider wearing a mask.

“On behalf of the Division of Public Health, I would like to wish everyone a safe, healthy, and enjoyable holiday season,” Steven Blessing, Director of the Delaware Division of Public Health said. “While these respiratory illnesses are no joke, we hope the images and messages in our new holiday campaign will spark some smiles while reminding us of all to do everything we can to keep ourselves and our loved ones protected.”

DPH also compiled a list of tips and resources to further ensure viruses take a backseat to gatherings and celebrations. Here are eight ways we can all spread joy instead of germs this holiday season:

  1. Get vaccinated. It’s worth repeating. Cases of COVID-19flu and RSV are currently increasing. Vaccines are available to help lessen symptoms and prevent hospitalization.
  2. Wash your hands. This is so simple, but so effective. Washing hands for at least 20 seconds using soap and water prevents the spread of germs to protect the ones you love.
  3. Cover that cough. Use the inside of your elbow or a tissue to cover up that cough or sneeze. Try to avoid coughing into your hands, and if you do, wash them immediately using hand sanitizer or soap and water.
  4. Protect vulnerable loved ones. No one wants to get sick with a respiratory virus, but the impact of these illnesses can be particularly severe on the elderly and those with underlying conditions. Know who is at risk and take steps to mitigate any germs spreading.
  5. Traveling? Prepare early. Be sure you and your travel companions get vaccinated at least two weeks before your trip. This will allow the full effects of the vaccine to develop in your body for maximum protection.
  6. During that trip, mask up when appropriate. If you’ll be travelling by plane, train, or bus consider masking up during the ride. Those tight quarters, where ventilation might be poor and people around you may be coughing or sneezing, create ideal conditions for the transmission of viral illnesses.
  7. Did you get sick? Stay home. This is another tip worth repeating. No one wants to miss a holiday party or family dinner. For your own well-being and the safety of others though, stay home if you test positive for a respiratory illness, have a fever, or are presenting any of the common symptoms like coughing, sore throat, fever, or runny nose.
  8. Stay updated. DPH offers up to date information about COVID-19flu and RSV. When in doubt, check the state’s website for answers to your questions.

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 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 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.


First Positive Case of COVID-19 Variant BA.2.86 Identified in Delaware

The Delaware Public Health Laboratory (DPHL) has identified a case of SARS-CoV-2 lineage BA.2.86 from a specimen provided to the laboratory for testing. This is the first case of BA.2.86 detected in Delaware, currently classified as a Variant Being Monitored (VBM) by the SARS-CoV-2 Interagency Group (SIG). The case was detected in a Pennsylvania resident seen at a Delaware Hospital. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is publishing weekly updates on this new variant including current risk assessment and scientific analysis on its website: https://www.cdc.gov/respiratory-viruses/whats-new/covid-19-variant-update-2023-08-30.html. 

These latest developments are a reminder that while the Public Health Emergency (PHE) for COVID-19 has ended, COVID-19 is not over. An updated COVID-19 vaccine, designed to protect against the newly circulating variants, will be available later this month pending final approvals, and more details will be forthcoming. The Division of Public Health reminds everyone to follow the appropriate strategies to keep COVID-19 in check: 

  1. Get vaccinated or boosted when eligible (Talk to your health care provider or visit a public health clinic to discuss what is best for your individual situation). 
  2. Stay home if sick and get tested if you have symptoms or were exposed to someone with COVID-19. 
  3. If you test positive, inquire about treatment. 
  4. Wear a mask in crowded indoor spaces, as cases rise, or if you or someone you know is at higher risk for illness. 

COVID-19 image

To learn about vaccine and test availability, isolation guidelines, and more, please visit de.gov/coronavirus. 


Governor Carney Ends Public Health Emergency

WILMINGTON, Del. – Governor John Carney on Thursday ended the State of Delaware Public Health Emergency order. The order will be lifted at 6:00 p.m. on May 11, 2023.

“Today we are ending the public health emergency here in Delaware. This is consistent with the ending of the federal public health emergency, and with Delaware’s continued progress in moving beyond COVID-19,” said Governor Carney. “Thank you to each and every Delawarean who helped us get to where we are today.” 

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


Governor Carney Releases Short-term Extension, End of Public Health Emergency

Governor to terminate order on May 11, 2023

 

DOVER, Del. – Governor John Carney on Friday announced the final short-term extension and anticipated end date for the State of Delaware’s Public Health Emergency order. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, Governor Carney plans to terminate the order on May 11, 2023 — the same date the federal Public Health Emergency is set to expire.

 

Governor Carney previously announced his plan to terminate the order on May 11, 2023, in concurrence with the expiration of the federal Public Health Emergency.


Frontline Farm and Food Workers Eligible for Relief Payments

DOVER, Del. (April 20, 2023) — The Delaware Department of Agriculture has partnered with Pasa Sustainable Agriculture to assist frontline farm and meatpacking workers who live or work in Delaware in receiving a one-time $600 relief payment through the Farm and Food Workers Relief Program (FFWR).

Frontline farm and meatpacking workers, who incurred expenses preparing for, preventing exposure to, and responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, can apply for a one-time, non-taxed $600 relief payment at https://farmworkers.com. Relief payments will remain available until funds are exhausted. Eligible beneficiaries who live or work in Delaware are encouraged to apply early. These payments are not loans, and payment recipients will not be taxed. Only one relief payment can be issued to an eligible beneficiary.

Since farm owners and operators were eligible for COVID-19 relief through other USDA programs, they do not qualify for the FFWR Program unless they have proof of employment as frontline farm or meatpacking workers on farms they do not also own or operate.

Applicants must provide (1) photo identification and (2) acceptable proof of employment as a farm or meatpacking worker within the U.S. and its territories between January 27, 2020, and the end of the incident period for the major disaster declaration related to COVID-19. Immigration status is not one of the eligibility criteria. Youth under 18 are eligible for a relief payment and must provide the same documentation as described above. More eligibility information and required documentation are available at https://farmworkers.com/#eligibility.

Hired workers are those other than agricultural service workers paid for at least one hour of agricultural work on a farm or in a meat processing facility. Worker type is determined by what the employee was hired primarily to do, not necessarily what was done during the pandemic. Eligible applicants should be frontline workers and not those working in management positions.

Worker occupations that qualify as eligible beneficiaries are broken down into three main categories, along with associated titles, include:

Field workers: Includes planting, tending, and harvesting crops, as well as eligible post-harvest activities. It also includes operating farm machinery on crop farms. A list of qualifying crops for field activities is available on the website.

• Graders and Sorters, Agricultural Products; Agricultural Equipment Operators; Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse; Agricultural Workers, All Other; and Packers and Packagers, Hand

Livestock workers: Includes tending livestock, milking cows, or caring for poultry. It also includes operating farm machinery on livestock or poultry operations.

• Graders and Sorters, Agricultural Products; Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals; Agricultural Workers, All Other; and Packers and Packagers, Hand

Meatpacking workers: Includes animal slaughtering, meat or poultry processing, and packaging meat or poultry.

• Slaughterers and Meat Packers; Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers; and Food Processing Workers, All Others

Eligible beneficiaries are encouraged to protect themselves from scams and fraud. You do not need to notarize documents to apply for the USDA FFWR Program. There is no cost to apply for the relief payment; application assistance is also free. You should never provide personal information to organizations that the USDA has not approved to distribute FFWR relief funds, including personal documents or any other forms of identification.

Assistance is available through Pasa by email in English at support@pasafarming.org and in Spanish at apoyo@pasafarming.org. In addition, phone support is available in English and Spanish by calling (833) 469-3397 on Monday – Thursday, 9 a.m. – 8 p.m. ET, Friday, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. ET, and Sunday, 4 p.m. – 8 p.m. ET.

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USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender. Pasa Sustainable Agriculture is a grantee of the USDA-AMS Farm and Food Worker Relief Program.