DPH Sees Decrease in Cases and Hospitalizations Since Last Month, but Increase in Deaths.

DPH Sees Decrease in Cases and Hospitalizations Since Last Month, but Increase in Deaths. DPH Encourages Public to Get Updated Boosters   

    

DOVER, DE (FEB. 10, 2023) – The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) saw a 28% decrease in COVID-19 cases and 29% decrease in hospitalizations in the last month and is encouraging residents to continue to remain current on their vaccinations by getting the updated COVID-19 bivalent booster.  

Still, Delawareans, many with underlying health conditions, are dying from COVID-19. In the last month, 68 COVID-related deaths were reported in Delaware, nearly twice the number shared last month. Fifty-four (54) of those deaths were reported after a review of vital statistics between November 2022 and January 2023. 

CDC and DPH officials say getting the updated booster is shown to be effective at reducing the risk of hospitalization and death. Yet, this winter in Delaware, more than 85% of people who tested positive for COVID-19 were hospitalized or died, were not up-to-date with their vaccines, meaning they did not have all recommended vaccines or an updated booster. 

 

According to the CDC, researchers recently analyzed COVID-19 infections and deaths among individuals ages 12 and older between October 2021 and December 2022 and found that people who received the updated COVID-19 booster were 14 times less likely to die from the virus than someone who had not been vaccinated at all. The research also showed that individuals who had received the updated COVID-19 vaccine also were 3 times less likely to die than someone who had only received the original vaccine series.  

 

Individuals who are unsure about whether they are current on their vaccinations should visit de.gov/boosters. A simple, easy-to-use chart outlining all current vaccination situations and age groups allows users to see whether they are up to date on their COVID-19 vaccinations or if they need to take action.  

People who have not received an updated COVID-19 vaccine are strongly encouraged to get one. Residents are also encouraged to take other steps to stay healthy and prevent the spread of the virus. If you are sick, stay home, test when symptoms appear or when you have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, ask your health care provider about treatment options, stay current with vaccinations and boosters, and consider wearing a mask in crowded spaces.   

COVID-19 Cases and Hospitalizations:     

 

  • Total positive cases since March 11, 2020: 327,873   

  • 7-day daily average of new positive cases: 145.1, a decrease of 76.2 since last month. 

  • 7-day daily average for the percentage of total positive tests: 13%, a decrease of 2.5 percentage points from last month. 

  • Hospitalizations: 142 current hospitalizations, 9 critical hospitalizations   

  • Total COVID-19 deaths: 3,288, an increase of 68 from last month including 54 from vital statistic review between November 2022 and January 2023. 

  • *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: 2,152,406   

  • Percentage of Delawareans 5+ who are fully vaccinated (CDC data): 77.4%      

  • Percentage of Delawareans 12+ who are fully vaccinated (CDC data): 81.5%      

  • Percentage of Delawareans 18+ who are fully vaccinated (CDC data): 83.1%      

  • Percent of Delawareans who are fully vaccinated (CDC data): 73.3%  

       

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 Jan. 30, 2023 – Feb. 5, 2023.   

 

 

Weekly Overview (01/30/23 – 02/05/23) 
 
 

Not up-to-date Cases 
 
 

Total Not up-to-date Cases 
 
 

791 
 
 

Total Cases 
 
 

983 
 
 

Percent of Not up-to-date Cases 
 
 

80% 
 
 

Not up-to-date Hospitalized Cases 
 
 

Total Not up-to-date Hospitalized Cases 
 
 

204 
 
 

Total Hospitalized Cases 
 
 

253 
 
 

Percent of Not up-to-date Cases 
 
 

80% 

Not up-to-date Deaths 
 
 

Total Not up-to-date Deaths 
 
 

3 
 

Total COVID-19 Deaths 
 
 

5 

Percent of Not up-to-date Deaths 
 
 

60% 

    

     

Note:    

Case and Hospitalization Count: based on RTS (Report to State Date) Death: based on DoD (Date of Death) Not up-to-date: all cases that are not completed a COVID-19 vaccine primary series and/or have not received the most recent booster dose recommended by CDC. (CDC’s guidance updated Dec 9th, 2022) DE resident only*    

      

Long-term Care Statistics:      

As of Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2023, there have been a total of 5,537 positive COVID-19 cases involving long-term care residents, and 1,028 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.  

DPH Encourages Masking, Other Precautionary Measures For Visitors To Legislative Hall

DOVER, DE (Jan. 30, 2023) –   The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) has been notified of multiple positive cases of COVID-19 that could be related to several in-person events last week in and around Legislative Hall. Out of an abundance of caution, DPH is offering recommendations to those planning to attend Joint Finance Committee hearings beginning Tuesday Jan. 31, to reduce any potential risk of spread of the virus. 

“We want the public to know about the potential risk so that they can evaluate their own situation and make informed choices about how to participate in the legislative process,” said DPH Interim Director Dr. Rick Hong. “Having this information is particularly important for older Delawareans and those with weakened immune systems or chronic conditions so they can decide how they best want to protect themselves.”

DPH recommends that individuals visiting Legislative Hall this week consider wearing a high-quality mask to reduce the chance of COVID-19 transmission, and keep a six-foot social distance when possible from people outside of your household.

Alternately, individuals can attend and participate online via registering through the committee meeting page on the Joint Finance Committee’s homepage. (link: Joint Finance Committee – Delaware General Assembly).

Regardless of vaccination status, you should stay home to isolate from others when you have COVID-19 for at least five days, followed by another five days of mask wearing when out in public.

You should also isolate if you have symptoms and suspect that you have COVID-19 but do not yet have test results. If your results are negative, it is recommended you take two tests 48 hours apart. It’s possible that you have COVID-19 but that it did not show up when you tested initially. If both tests come back negative, you can stop isolating. 

If you find out you were in contact with someone who has COVID-19, begin wearing a high-quality mask or respirator (e.g., N95) any time you are around others either inside your home, or indoors in public. Wear a mask for 10 full days and do not go anywhere where you are unable to wear a mask. If you do not have symptoms, or do not develop symptoms, there is no need for you to stay home (quarantine). If symptoms such as fever, cough, shortness of breath, or other COVID-19 symptoms occur, isolate at home immediately, get tested, and stay home until you know the result.

For more information on COVID-19 testing visit de.gov/gettested. For more information about isolation and exposure recommendations visit https://coronavirus.delaware.gov/quarantine-isolation/. Finally for more information about masking visit https://coronavirus.delaware.gov/guidance-for-face-coverings/.

If you are over age 50, particularly if you have a chronic health condition, or are unvaccinated, you should talk to your health care provider about COVID-19 treatment options. You can learn more at de.gov/covidtreatments.

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.    

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. 

DPH Announces Closure Of COVID-19 Call Centers on Jan. 31

DOVER, DE (Jan. 27, 2023) –   The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) is announcing the closure of the COVID-19 call center and the vaccine call center due to a low volume of calls. The Call Centers’ last day of operation will be Tuesday, January 31.  Delawareans may still access critical COVID-19 information on the website at de.gov/coronavirus, where questions can be submitted via the contact form at coronavirus.delaware.gov/contact. General questions about COVID-19 will still be answered by calling 2-1-1 or by emailing DPHCall@delaware.gov, or Vaccine@delaware.gov for vaccine-specific questions. 

“The COVID-19 call center has provided an invaluable service to Delawareans throughout the pandemic who had so many questions about this new disease,” said Interim DPH Director Dr. Rick Hong. “We started with multiple call center operators, even having to open a separate Vaccine Call Center when the vaccine program rolled out. However, significantly lower call volume concerning COVID-19 as the pandemic wanes and evolves is allowing us to re-allocate personnel to other critical health work. Most people are accessing information through the web however, we remain dedicated to answering COVID-19 related questions through our email resource boxes, which will continue to be monitored. We will also continue to communicate COVID-19 information to Delawareans using media and community partners, to encourage them to practice health safety by getting vaccinated against COVID-19 and the flu, staying home when sick, and wearing a mask in public areas if they feel sick and must go out.” 

The COVID-19 call center was launched on March 4, 2020, under the leadership of former DPH Director Dr. Karyl Rattay. The creation of the COVID-19 call center stemmed from the tremendous number of calls DPH was receiving about the novel coronavirus. At the time of launch, Delaware reported no coronavirus cases in the state. The call center provided critical information to schools, medical providers, state agencies and community organizations. A second call center was opened on Dec. 19, 2020, to field questions about COVID-19 vaccines.

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.    

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.   

DPH Sees Lower Post-Holiday Increases in Cases and Hospitalization Than In 2022

DOVER, DE (Jan. 13, 2023) – The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) is seeing an increase in post-holiday COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations, though the increase is not nearly as high as the 2022 post-holiday surge. Still, DPH encourages individuals to take specific action steps to stay healthy and prevent the spread of the virus, such as staying home when sick, testing when symptoms appear or when exposed to someone with COVID-19, staying up to date with vaccinations and boosters, and considering wearing a mask in crowded spaces.

This time last year, Delaware reported the highest number of new positive daily cases since the start of the pandemic at 3,666 reported on Jan. 6, 2022, and 759 hospitalizations on Jan. 12, 2022. As of the latest data posted to the My Healthy Community dashboard Wednesday, there were 266 new cases on Jan. 6, 2023, and 202 hospitalizations for Jan. 10, 2023. While the reduced number of cases reported does not take into account the large number of likely positive results from at-home testing, which are not reported to DPH, the fact that hospitalizations remain so much lower is a good indicator that there is not as much serious illness being caused by COVID-19 infection. Even with new emerging variants, the tools available to successfully fight COVID-19 have become increasingly effective.   

Viruses constantly mutate and evolve, and sometimes these mutations result in new variants of the virus. The updated bivalent booster provides the best level of protection against serious illness and hospitalization as it strengthens the antibody response against two strains of COVID-19:  the original strain of the virus and the Omicron variants. Health experts say if has been eight (8) months or more since your last vaccine, your protection is limited.  If you are 5+ and it has been at least two months or more since you completed your primary series, haven’t had a recent infection since July, or haven’t been boosted since August, you are eligible for an updated booster. Learn more about where to get a booster at de.gov/boosters.   

Treatment also remains one of the most effective tools for preventing severe outcomes from COVID-19. If an individual tests positive, especially if they are more likely to get very sick from the virus due to a health condition, treatments are available that reduce the risk of being hospitalized or dying from the disease. Those who test positive should contact a healthcare provider right away to determine if treatment is appropriate. Most treatments must be started within five days of when symptoms first appear, and the sooner treatment is started, the sooner it begins working to fight the virus.   

Individuals should ask about treatment if they test positive for COVID-19 and are either: 

  • 50 years or older (especially over 65, as risk increases with age) 
  • Unvaccinated 
  • Listed as having certain medical conditions – such as chronic lung disease, heart disease, diabetes, a weakened immune system, and more. 

More information, including test-to-treat sites and locations where treatment is available with a prescription, can be found at https://coronavirus.delaware.gov/covid-19-treatment-options/. 

In comparison to COVID-19 data released on Dec. 15, Delaware has seen an increase in the 7-day daily average of new positive cases, hospitalizations and critical hospitalizations.

COVID-19 Cases and Hospitalizations:    

  • Total positive cases since March 11, 2020: 324,137*   
  • 7-day daily average of new positive cases: 221.3, an increase of 62.2 average new positive cases reported since Dec. 15, 2022     
  • 7-day daily average for the percentage of total positive tests: 15.5 percentage points, an increase of 6.1 percentage points reported since Dec. 15, 2022     
  • Hospitalizations: 202 current hospitalizations, 24 critical hospitalizations  
  • Total COVID-19 deaths: 3,220 – increase of 35 from last month including 29 from vital statistic review between Oct – Dec.
    *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: 2,099,714  
  • Percentage of Delawareans 5+ who are fully vaccinated (CDC data): 77.2%     
  • Percentage of Delawareans 12+ who are fully vaccinated (CDC data): 81.3%     
  • Percentage of Delawareans 18+ who are fully vaccinated (CDC data): 82.9%     
  • Percent of Delawareans who are fully vaccinated (CDC data): 73.1%     

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 Jan. 2, 2023 – Jan. 8, 2023.    

  

  1. Not up-to-date: Case – Hospital – Death  

Weekly Overview
(01/02/23 – 01/08/23)  

Not up-to-date Cases  

Total Not up-to-date Cases  

1,232  

Total Cases  

1,448  

Percent of Not up-to-date Cases  

85%  

Not up-to-date Hospitalized Cases  

Total Not up-to-date Hospitalized Cases  

290  

Total Hospitalized Cases  

357  

Percent of Not up-to-date Cases  

81%  

Not up-to-date Deaths  

Total Not up-to-date Deaths  

2  

Total COVID-19 Deaths  

2  

Percent of Not up-to-date Deaths  

100%  

    

Note:   

Case and Hospitalization Count: based on RTS (Report to State Date) Death: based on DoD (Date of Death) Not up-to-date: all cases that are not completed a COVID-19 vaccine primary series and/or have not received the most recent booster dose recommended by CDC. (CDC’s guidance updated Dec 9th, 2022)
DE resident only*   

     

Long-term Care Statistics:     

As of Thursday, Jan. 10, 2023, there have been a total of 5,278 positive COVID-19 cases involving long-term care residents, and 1,016 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.

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.  

DPH Shares Monthly COVID-19 Update, Announces Changes to Data Reporting and Booster Guidance

DOVER, DE (Dec. 15, 2022) – The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) is providing several key updates related to COVID-19 data and vaccines.  According to the most recent data on the state’s My Healthy Community data dashboard, the statewide 7-day average of new positive COVID-19  cases has increased slightly following Thanksgiving and other gatherings over the past month. Hospitalizations have also increased. As holiday travel increases and families gather in coming weeks, residents are urged to remain vigilant and protected against the COVID-19 virus. Consider masking up while shopping, testing before and after gatherings, and being prepared by getting vaccinated with the updated COVID booster. As of Dec. 15, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports COVID-19 community levels in Kent and Sussex counties as medium. New Castle County is low. 

Vaccine Effectiveness Study – This week marks two years since the first patient in the United States received a COVID-19 vaccine. As the virus evolved and more variants emerged, the U.S. adjusted the program with the recommendation of additional doses and variant-specific boosters.  A recently published Commonwealth Fund study estimates that from December 2020 through November 2022, the U.S. COVID-19 vaccination program prevented more than 3.2 million additional deaths and 18.5 million additional hospitalizations. In addition, the modeling indicates that there would have been nearly 120 million more COVID-19 infections over that time period and the vaccination program saved over $1.15 trillion in medical costs that would have been incurred otherwise in the United States alone. Given increases in cases amid the co-circulation of three respiratory viruses, getting vaccinated against COVID-19 is more important than ever.

Bivalent Boosters for Infants/Toddlers – On Dec. 9, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted Emergency Use Authorization to Moderna to expand use of the bivalent booster to ages 6 months – 5 years. In addition, Pfizer’s bivalent booster received Emergency Use Authorization for use as the third dose in the primary series for 6 months – 4 years of age, but not for use as a bivalent booster. Those ages 5 and older are eligible for a Pfizer bivalent booster, and those ages 6 and older are eligible for a Moderna bivalent booster, under previous authorizations. Specifically: 

  • Children 6 months through 5 years of age who received the original (monovalent) Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine are now eligible to receive a single booster of the updated (bivalent) Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine two months after completing a primary series with the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine. 
  • Children 6 months through 4 years of age who have not yet begun their three-dose primary series of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine or have not yet received the third dose of their primary series, will now receive the updated (bivalent) Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine as the third dose in their primary series. 
  • Children 6 months through 4 years of age who have already completed their three-dose primary series with the original (monovalent) Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine will not be eligible for a booster dose of an updated bivalent vaccine at this time. Children in this age group who already completed their primary series would still be expected to have protection against the most serious outcomes from the currently circulating omicron variant. 

DPH expects supply of these bivalent doses for infants and toddlers to arrive in Delaware this week.  As soon as supply is received, providers may begin administration. Full details and information about where to obtain these vaccines are available at de.gov/boosters and de.gov/youthvaccine. 

Transition to weekly reporting of COVID-19 data on My Healthy Community – Starting Thursday, Dec. 15, 2022, COVID-19 data reporting on the Division of Public Health’s My Healthy Community (MHC) data portal will transition from daily to weekly updates. This is consistent with the CDC’s reporting structure, which moved to providing weekly data updates in October. Going forward, the COVID-19 dashboard will be updated every Wednesday with a reporting time frame from Wednesday of the prior week to Tuesday of the current week. In the event of a significant surge in cases, while DPH will not revert back to daily data reporting on the dashboard, the agency will work to make more real-time data available. The next update on MHC will be posted Wednesday, Dec. 21.   

COVID-19 Cases and Hospitalizations:  

  • Total positive cases since March 11, 2020: 319,477* 
  • 7-day daily average of new positive cases: 159.1, an increase of 53.2 average new positive cases reported since Nov 18, 2022   
  • 7-day daily average for the percentage of total positive tests: 9.4 percentage points, an increase of 2.7 percentage points reported since Nov 18, 2022   
  • Hospitalizations: 148 current hospitalizations, 11 critical hospitalizations
  • Total COVID-19 deaths: 3,185, an increase of 22 since last month, including 21 as a result of ongoing Vital Statistics review of deaths occurring between February and November.*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: 2,083,675
  • Percentage of Delawareans 5+ who are fully vaccinated (CDC data): 76.2%   
  • Percentage of Delawareans 12+ who are fully vaccinated (CDC data): 80.3%   
  • Percentage of Delawareans 18+ who are fully vaccinated (CDC data): 81.8%   
  • Percent of Delawareans who are fully vaccinated (CDC data): 72%   

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 Dec. 5, 2022 – Dec. 11, 2022.  

Not up-to-date: Case – Hospital – Death 

Weekly Overview(12/05/22 – 12/11/22) 

Not up-to-date Cases 

Total Not up-to-date Cases 

930 

Total Cases 

1074 

Percent of Not up-to-date Cases 

86% 

Not up-to-date Hospitalized Cases 

Total Not up-to-date Hospitalized Cases 

148 

Total Hospitalized Cases 

162 

Percent of Not up-to-date Cases 

91% 

Not up-to-date Deaths 

Total Not up-to-date Deaths 

0 

Total COVID-19 Deaths 

0 

Percent of Not up-to-date Deaths 

0% 

  

Note: 

Case and Hospitalization Count: based on RTS (Report to State Date) Death: based on DoD (Date of Death) Not up-to-date: all cases that are not completed a COVID-19 vaccine primary series and/or have not received the most recent booster dose recommended by CDC. (CDC’s guidance updated Dec 9th, 2022) DE resident only* 

   

Long-term Care Statistics:   

As of Thursday, Dec. 15, 2022, there have been a total of 5,028 positive COVID-19 cases involving long-term care residents, and 1,006 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.  

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.