DOVER (Dec. 24, 2020) – The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) is providing an update on the most recent statistics related to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Delaware, as of 6 p.m. Wednesday, December 23, 2020.

A total of 53,015 positive cases of COVID-19 among Delaware residents have been reported to DPH since March 11, 2020. The number of new daily cases this week has remained elevated with a seven-day average of 613.7 as of Wednesday, Dec. 23.

The seven-day average for the percentage of persons who tested positive for COVID-19 as of Wednesday, Dec. 23 was 22.4%, which was the same percentage as of Wednesday, Dec. 16. DPH publishes both positivity rates – persons tested and total tests conducted – on its COVID-19 data portal. As of Monday, Dec. 21, the seven-day average for the percentage of total tests that were positive was 9.6%, a slight increase from 9.5% as of Monday, Dec. 14. There is a two-day lag for presenting data related to percent of tests that are positive to account for the time delay between the date of the test and the date that DPH receives the test result.

In addition, 426 individuals are currently hospitalized due to COVID-19 in Delaware, an increase of 19 from the total as of last Friday’s update. Current hospitalization totals rose to 454 earlier this week before declining again toward the end of the week. Sixty of the hospitalized persons are critically ill, down eight from last week.

A total of 888 Delawareans have passed away due to complications from COVID-19. The state reported 34 additional deaths since last week’s update, including four as a result of a review of Vital Statistics records. The total number of individuals who have died from COVID-19 ranges in age from 21 to 104 years old. Of those who have died, 453 were female and 435 were male. A total of 441 individuals were from New Castle County, 158 were from Kent County, and 289 were 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. Additional data can be found at de.gov/healthycommunity.

Additional Updates:
Total doses of COVID-19 Vaccines Administered in Delaware: As of 8:00 a.m., Thursday morning, Dec. 24, Delaware has administered 6,569 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.

As health experts continue to learn how the COVID-19 vaccine works under real-world conditions, everyone will need to continue to practice precautions such as wearing a mask over the mouth and nose, social distancing, frequent handwashing, and other hygiene measures to help reduce spread of the disease in the community. The combination of getting vaccinated and following recommendations to protect yourself and others will offer the best protection from COVID-19.

As a reminder, DPH has set up a Vaccine Call Center, which can now be reached at 1-833-643-1715. People who are deaf and hard of hearing should call 2-1-1 or text their ZIP code to 898-211. Individuals can email their questions concerning the vaccine to Vaccine@Delaware.gov and visit de.gov/covidvaccine for more information. The call center will be closed on Christmas Day, Dec. 25, 2020, and New Year’s Day, Jan. 1, 2021.

Update on COVID-19 Outbreaks in Long-term Care Facilities: The Division of Public Health continues to investigate COVID-19 outbreaks in long-term care facilities throughout the state. The following facilities have experienced significant outbreaks since late September. Resident and staff tallies represent cumulative case totals between Sept. 25, 2020, and Dec. 23, 2020, and may not represent the number of active cases at each facility at this particular point in time:

• Cadia Healthcare Silverside in Wilmington; 51 residents and 44 staff members.
• Regency Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center in Wilmington; 74 residents and 47 staff
• Lofland Park in Seaford, 19 residents and 17 staff
• Cadia Healthcare Capitol in Dover; 45 residents and 30 staff
• Delmar Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Delmar; 38 residents and 36 staff
• The Moorings at Lewes in Lewes; 17 residents and 37 staff
• Oak Bridge Terrace at Cokesbury Village in Hockessin; 16 residents and 13 staff
• Brookdale in Dover; 58 residents and 35 staff
• Cadia Healthcare Broadmeadow in Middletown; 17 residents and 23 staff
• Churchman Village in Newark, 48 residents and 28 staff
• Foulk Manor South in Wilmington; 28 residents and 28 staff
• Hillside Center in Wilmington; 21 residents and 16 staff
• Kutz Senior Living in Wilmington, 16 residents and 15 staff
• Regal Heights Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center in Hockessin, 72 residents and 31 staff
• Westminster Village in Dover; 42 residents and 21 staff
• Brandywine Assisted Living at Seaside in Rehoboth Beach; 39 residents and 15 staff
• Milford Center, Genesis Healthcare in Milford; 38 residents and 14 staff
• Seaford Center Nursing Home in Seaford; 17 residents and 16 staff
• Harrison House Senior Living in Georgetown; 12 residents and 12 staff
• WillowBrooke Court Skilled Center at Manor House in Seaford; 41 residents and 31 staff
• WillowBrooke Court at Cokesbury Village in Hockessin, 13 residents and 12 staff
• Dover Place in Dover, 22 residents and 13 staff

*Staff members may include health care and non-health care personnel, such as facility vendors or other individuals working in the long-term care facility who may not be full-time facility employees. Facilities listed represent those that have had a cumulative total of more than 10 cases among residents and more than 10 cases among staff to date since the beginning of the outbreak monitoring period, Sept. 25, 2020. As facility outbreak investigations close, they will be removed from this list.

Long-term Care Statistics:
Information related to positive cases and deaths among residents at long-term care facilities will be updated weekly each Friday, using information reported as of 6 p.m. Thursday. There have been a total of 1,857 positive COVID-19 cases cumulatively involving long-term care residents, and 480 residents of Delaware long-term care facilities have died from complications related to COVID-19.

The locations and number of deaths involving residents of long-term care facilities are:
• Atlantic Shores Rehabilitation and Health Center, Millsboro (18)
• Brackenville Center, Genesis Healthcare, Hockessin (18)
• Brandywine Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Wilmington (34)
• Brandywine Living at Seaside Pointe, Rehoboth Beach (4)
• Brookdale Dover, Dover (7)
• Cadia Healthcare Broadmeadow, Middletown (11)
• Cadia Healthcare Capitol, Dover (18)
• Cadia Healthcare Renaissance, Millsboro (10)
• Cadia Healthcare North Wilmington/Silverside, Wilmington (25)
• Churchman Village, Newark (5)
• Country Rest Home, Greenwood (11)
• Delaware Hospital for the Chronically Ill, Smyrna (13)
• Foulk Manor South, Wilmington (3)
• Forwood Manor, Wilmington (2)
• Governor Bacon Health Center, Delaware City (1)
• HarborChase of Wilmington, Wilmington (4)
• Harbor Healthcare and Rehabilitation, Lewes (23)
• Harrison House Senior Living, Georgetown (43)
• Hillside Center, Wilmington (4)
• Kentmere Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center, Wilmington (8)
• Kutz Senior Living, Wilmington (2)
• Little Sisters of the Poor, Newark (11)
• Lofland Park Center, Genesis Healthcare, Seaford (6)
• ManorCare Health Services, Wilmington (13)
• ManorCare Health Services, Pike Creek (23)
• Methodist Country House, Wilmington (4)
• Millcroft, Newark (2)
• Milford Center, Genesis Healthcare, Milford (38)
• New Castle Health and Rehabilitation Center, New Castle (12)
• Newark Manor Nursing Home, Newark (11)
• Parkview Nursing and Rehabilitation, Wilmington (26)
• Pinnacle Rehabilitation and Health Center, Smyrna (24)
• Regal Heights Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center, Hockessin (9)
• Regency Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center, Wilmington (7)
• Summit Assisted Living, Hockessin (3)
• Sunrise Assisted Living, Wilmington (2)
• The Moorings at Lewes, Lewes (4)
• Westminster Village, Dover (12)
• WillowBrooke Court Skilled Center at Manor House, Seaford (2)
• Four other New Castle County long-term care facilities (1 death at each facility)
• Two other Kent County long-term care facility (1 death at this facility)
• One other Sussex County long-term care facility (1 death at this facility)

Aggregate K-12 School-Related COVID-19 Statistics:
The Division of Public Health is providing statewide aggregate data on the total number of COVID-19 positive cases among students and staff who were in-person at a school or child care facility while potentially infectious, reported to DPH since Sept. 1, 2020. To determine the start of the infectious period, or when others may have been exposed to someone infectious, DPH looks 48 hours prior to the onset of symptoms or 48 hours prior to testing for those individuals who had no symptoms. These data only indicate potential exposure to COVID-19 in these settings, not whether exposure actually occurred. Please note, these figures do not indicate that the infections were caused from being in the school setting.

Total number of COVID-19 positive students and staff, statewide, who were in-person at a school or child care facility while potentially infectious, reported to DPH between Sept. 1, 2020, and Dec. 23, 2020**:

**Data is preliminary and subject to change.

If you are sick with any of the following symptoms, stay home: fever, cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, muscle aches, fatigue, chills, shaking with chills, loss of smell or taste, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea, or headache or congestion or runny nose without a known cause such as allergies. Other symptoms such as abdominal pain or lack of appetite have been identified as potential symptoms related to COVID-19 and may prompt further screening, action or investigation by a primary care provider. 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.

DPH reminds Delawareans that if you believe 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 – may have a higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19.

Information about testing events, including community testing sites, permanent fixed testing sites, and free-standing sites operated by the health care systems and hospitals, will be listed on the testing section of the Delaware coronavirus website at: coronavirus.delaware.gov/testing/.

Delawareans over the age of 18 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.

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 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Monday through Friday; 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Medically related questions regarding testing, symptoms, and health-related guidance can be submitted by email at DPHCall@delaware.gov. Questions regarding unemployment claims should be emailed to: UIClaims@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.

DOVER (Dec. 19, 2020) – As of Saturday, Dec. 19, Delaware has administered 2,061 doses of the Pfizer BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine to health care workers at six health care systems statewide and three long-term care facilities owned by Genesis HealthCare, Inc.

Additionally, the Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) is announcing plans to distribute the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine that was granted Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration on Friday, Dec. 18, 2020.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee Immunization Practices (ACIP) also voted Saturday, Dec. 19, to recommend the EUA of the vaccine for individuals 18 and older. The Pfizer BioNTech vaccine is approved for use in persons 16 and older.  CDC Director Robert Redfield must still approve the advisory committee’s recommendations, but this is expected to occur this weekend as well. The ACIP recommendation and CDC sign-off are the final steps in the approval process before states can begin vaccinating residents.

Delaware is expected to receive 16,700 doses of the Moderna vaccine within the next few days, along with 2,925 doses of Pfizer.  Most of the vaccines will be shipped directly to enrolled vaccine providers such as hospitals and Health Centers such as Henrietta Johnson Medical Center, Westside Family Healthcare and La Red Health Center.  The remainder will be sent to DPH for distribution to EMS agencies and other settings.  High-risk health care, long-term care, EMS and other health care personnel are part of those eligible to receive the vaccine in Phase 1a of distribution.

“We are excited about the approval of a second vaccine that is shown to be effective in preventing COVID-19,” said DPH Director Dr. Karyl Rattay. “This will expand our ability to vaccinate more people in our state and increase protection from this deadly virus.”

The Moderna vaccine, which has a 94.1 percent efficacy rate, does not contain the live virus and cannot give someone the coronavirus.

The potential side effects from the Moderna vaccine are similar to those experienced by people who receive the shingles vaccine: fever, headaches, and muscle and joint pain, swollen lymph nodes in the same arm as the injection, nausea and vomiting. Of note, more people experienced these side effects after the second dose than after the first dose, so it is important for vaccination providers and recipients to expect that there may be some side effects after either dose, but even more so after the second dose. Side effects are reported to go away within one to three days, and although not dangerous, may feel unpleasant.  Unless symptoms worsen or linger, there is no need to seek medical care. Moderna reported no serious side effects from the vaccine.

The Moderna vaccine does require two doses spaced about four weeks apart to be effective. The same brand of vaccine must be administered for both doses. DPH and providers plan to remind individuals to get their second dose of the vaccine by sending reminder letters, providing automated phone calls and text messages and through patient record cards. Second dose reminders will begin to go out from DPH just prior to or after the Christmas holiday.

Moderna has set up a call center for questions from the public and providers.  The Moderna call center is operational 24 hours per day, seven days per week at: 1-866-MODERNA (1-866-663-3762).  Moderna is advising high volumes of calls between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m.

DPH has set up a Delaware-specific Vaccine Call Center; the number is 302-672-6150. Those who are deaf or hard of hearing should call 2-1-1 or text their ZIP code to 898-211.  DPH’s Vaccine Call Center is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, and from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Saturday. Individuals can email their questions concerning the vaccine to Vaccine@Delaware.gov. Individuals can also visit de.gov/covidvaccine for up-to-date information.

The Division of Public Health is responsible for providing the framework for acquiring and distributing the vaccine. DPH has devised a three-tier strategy for distribution:

Phase 1a: Health care personnel, emergency medical services agencies, and long-term care staff and residents will receive the vaccine first.   

Remainder of Phase 1: In early 2021, those who work in high-risk and critical infrastructure industries such as food processing, utilities, education, police and fire, those who work and live in congregate settings such as correctional facilities and homeless shelters, those with certain underlying health conditions and those who are aged 65 and older are likely to receive the vaccine.

Phase 2: (March 2021) Those with more moderate risk for getting COVID-19 are eligible for receiving the vaccine. More details about specific groups in this phase will be provided as we get closer. 

Phase 3: (Spring/Summer 2021) The general public can expect to receive vaccines through their primary health care providers, health centers and pharmacies as the vaccine becomes more widely available. 

DOVER (Dec. 18, 2020) – The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) is providing an update on the most recent statistics related to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Delaware, as of 6 p.m. Thursday, December 17, 2020.

A total of 49,109 positive cases of COVID-19 among Delaware residents have been reported to DPH since March 11, 2020 The number of new daily cases each day this week has remained elevated with a seven-day average of 763.9 as of Thursday, Dec. 17.

The seven-day average for the percentage of persons who tested positive for COVID-19 decreased from 22.9% as of Dec. 10 to 21.9% as of Thursday, Dec. 17. DPH publishes both positivity rates – persons tested and total tests conducted – on its COVID-19 data portal. As of Tuesday, Dec. 15, the seven-day average for the percentage of total tests that were positive was 9.7%, which represents the same percentage as of Tuesday, Dec. 8. There is a two-day lag for presenting data related to percent of tests that are positive to account for the time delay between the date of the test and the date that DPH receives the test result.

In addition, 407 individuals are currently hospitalized due to COVID-19 in Delaware, an increase of 44 from the total as of last Friday’s update. Sixty-eight of the hospitalized persons are critically ill, up 19 from last week.

A total of 854 Delawareans have passed away due to complications from COVID-19. The state reported 47 additional deaths since last week’s update, including eight as a result of a review of Vital Statistics records. The total number of individuals who have died from COVID-19 ranges in age from 21 to 104 years old. Of those who have died, 433 were female and 421 were male. A total of 421 individuals were from New Castle County, 151 were from Kent County, and 282 were 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.

Additional Updates

New Walgreens Locations Added to State’s Permanent COVID-19 Testing Sites: The State of Delaware will expand its partnership with Walgreens, adding eight new drive-through COVID-19 testing sites across the state. Four testing sites opened Wednesday, Dec. 16, and the remaining four will open Monday, Dec. 21. The new testing sites include:

Opened Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2020:
• 2121 Kirkwood Hwy., Wilmington, DE 19805, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday-Saturday; 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Sunday
• 500 Plaza Drive, Newark, DE 19702, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday-Saturday
• 5999 Summit Bridge Road, Townsend, DE 19734, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday-Saturday; 11 a.m. – 3 p.m., Sunday
• 2480 S. Dupont Hwy., Camden, DE 19934, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday-Saturday; 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Sunday.

Opening Monday, Dec. 21, 2020:
• 2012 Brackenville Road, Hockessin, DE 19707, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday-Saturday; 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Sunday.
• 536 Main St., Wilmington (Stanton), DE 19804, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday-Saturday
• 19 Marrows Road, Newark, DE 19713, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday-Saturday; 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Sunday
• 372 Possum Park Road, Newark, DE 19711, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday-Saturday

These new sites are in addition to 14 testing sites operated by Walgreens, as well as 11 other permanent testing sites – five State Service Center sites and six Public Health clinics – available throughout the state. Pop-up testing sites continue to be offered each week as well. The full list of testing locations, hours, and registration options are available on Delaware’s COVID-19 website at de.gov/gettested.

Update on COVID-19 Outbreaks in Long-term Care Facilities: The Division of Public Health continues to investigate COVID-19 outbreaks in long-term care facilities throughout the state. The following facilities have experienced significant outbreaks since late September. Resident and staff tallies represent cumulative case totals between Sept. 25, 2020, and Dec. 17, 2020:

• Cadia Healthcare Silverside in Wilmington; 51 residents and 43 staff members.
• Regency Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center in Wilmington; 74 residents and 46 staff
• Lofland Park in Seaford, 19 residents and 17 staff
• Cadia Healthcare Capitol in Dover; 45 residents and 26 staff
• Delmar Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Delmar; 38 residents and 34 staff
• The Moorings at Lewes in Lewes; 15 residents and 36 staff
• Oak Bridge Terrace at Cokesbury Village in Hockessin; 15 residents and 13 staff
• Brookdale in Dover; 58 residents and 33 staff
• Cadia Healthcare Broadmeadow in Newark; 16 residents and 21 staff
• Churchman Village in Newark, 49 residents and 28 staff
• Foulk Manor South in Wilmington; 25 residents and 26 staff
• Hillside Center in Wilmington; 21 residents and 14 staff
• Kutz Senior Living in Wilmington, 12 residents and 15 staff
• Regal Heights Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center in Hockessin, 67 residents and 23 staff
• Westminster Village in Dover; 42 residents and 20 staff
• Brandywine Assisted Living at Seaside in Rehoboth Beach; 39 residents and 15 staff
• Milford Center, Genesis Healthcare in Milford; 24 residents and 14 staff
• Seaford Center Nursing Home in Seaford; 14 residents and 15 staff
• Harrison House Senior Living in Georgetown; 12 residents and 12 staff
• WillowBrooke Court Skilled Center at Manor House in Seaford; 32 residents and 24 staff

*Staff members may include health care and non-health care personnel, such as facility vendors or other individuals working in the long-term care facility who may not be full-time facility employees. As facility outbreak investigations close, they will be removed from this list.

Delaware COVID-19 Data:
The latest Delaware COVID-19 case statistics* cumulatively since March 11, provided as of 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 17, include:

• 49,109 total positive cases
• New Castle County cases: 28,235
• Kent County cases: 7,676
• Sussex County cases: 13,079
• Unknown County: 119
• Females: 26,129; Males: 22,902; Unknown Sex: 78
• Age range: 0 to 104
• Currently hospitalized: 407; Critically ill: 68 (This data represents individuals currently hospitalized in a Delaware hospital regardless of residence, and is not cumulative.)
• 428,997 negative cases**
• 882,919 total tests administered as of Dec. 15, 2020
*Data are provisional and subject to change.
**Data on negative cases are preliminary, based on negative results reported to DPH by state and commercial laboratories performing analysis.

Aggregate K-12 School-Related COVID-19 Statistics:
The Division of Public Health is providing statewide aggregate data on the total number of COVID-19 positive cases among students and staff who were in-person at a school or child care facility while potentially infectious, reported to DPH since Sept. 1, 2020. To determine the start of the infectious period, or when others may have been exposed to someone infectious, DPH looks 48 hours prior to the onset of symptoms or 48 hours prior to testing for those individuals who had no symptoms. These data only indicate potential exposure to COVID-19 in these settings, not whether exposure actually occurred. Please note, these figures do not indicate that the infections were caused from being in the school setting.

Total number of COVID-19 positive students and staff, statewide, who were in-person at a school or child care facility while potentially infectious, reported to DPH between Sept. 1, 2020, and Dec. 16, 2020**:

Long-term Care Statistics:
Information related to positive cases and deaths among residents at long-term care facilities will be updated weekly each Friday, using information reported as of 6 p.m. Thursday. There have been a total of 1,769 positive COVID-19 cases cumulatively involving long-term care residents, and 463 residents of Delaware long-term care facilities have died from complications related to COVID-19.

The locations and number of deaths involving residents of long-term care facilities are:
• Atlantic Shores Rehabilitation and Health Center, Millsboro (18)
• Brackenville Center, Genesis Healthcare, Hockessin (18)
• Brandywine Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Wilmington (34)
• Brandywine Living at Seaside Pointe, Rehoboth Beach (3)
• Brookdale Dover, Dover (2)
• Cadia Healthcare Broadmeadow, Middletown (11)
• Cadia Healthcare Capitol, Dover (18)
• Cadia Healthcare Renaissance, Millsboro (9)
• Cadia Healthcare North Wilmington/Silverside, Wilmington (24)
• Country Rest Home, Greenwood (11)
• Delaware Hospital for the Chronically Ill, Smyrna (13)
• Foulk Manor South, Wilmington (2)
• Forwood Manor, Wilmington (2)
• Governor Bacon Health Center, Delaware City (1)
• HarborChase of Wilmington, Wilmington (4)
• Harbor Healthcare and Rehabilitation, Lewes (23)
• Harrison House Senior Living, Georgetown (43)
• Hillside Center, Wilmington (3)
• Kentmere Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center, Wilmington (8)
• Kutz Senior Living, Wilmington (2)
• Little Sisters of the Poor, Newark (11)
• Lofland Park Center, Genesis Healthcare, Seaford (6)
• ManorCare Health Services, Wilmington (13)
• ManorCare Health Services, Pike Creek (23)
• Methodist Country House, Wilmington (4)
• Millcroft, Newark (2)
• Milford Center, Genesis Healthcare, Milford (38)
• New Castle Health and Rehabilitation Center, New Castle (12)
• Newark Manor Nursing Home, Newark (11)
• Parkview Nursing and Rehabilitation, Wilmington (26)
• Pinnacle Rehabilitation and Health Center, Smyrna (24)
• Regal Heights Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center, Hockessin (9)
• Regency Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center, Wilmington (7)
• Summit Assisted Living, Hockessin (3)
• Sunrise Assisted Living, Wilmington (2)
• The Moorings at Lewes, Lewes (4)
• Westminster Village, Dover (12)
• Five other New Castle County long-term care facilities (1 death at each facility)
• One other Kent County long-term care facility (1 death at this facility)
• One other Sussex County long-term care facility (1 death at this facility)

Additional demographic data on COVID-19 cases and deaths, including race/ethnicity, more age-specific data and rates information by ZIP code, and information on Delaware’s contact tracing efforts can be found at de.gov/healthycommunity.

If you are sick with any of the following symptoms, stay home: fever, cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, muscle aches, fatigue, chills, shaking with chills, loss of smell or taste, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea, or headache or congestion or runny nose without a known cause such as allergies. Other symptoms such as abdominal pain or lack of appetite have been identified as potential symptoms related to COVID-19 and may prompt further screening, action or investigation by a primary care provider. 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 believe 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 – may have a higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19.

Information about testing events, including community testing sites, permanent fixed testing sites, and free-standing sites operated by the health care systems and hospitals, will be listed on the testing section of the Delaware coronavirus website at: coronavirus.delaware.gov/testing/.

Delawareans over the age of 18 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 has set up a Vaccine Call Center at 302-672-6150. People who are deaf and hard of hearing should call 2-1-1 or text their ZIP code to 898-211. Individuals can email their questions concerning the vaccine to Vaccine@Delaware.gov and visit de.gov/covidvaccine for more information.

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 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Monday through Friday; 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Medically related questions regarding testing, symptoms, and health-related guidance can be submitted by email at DPHCall@delaware.gov. Questions regarding unemployment claims should be emailed to: UIClaims@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.

DOVER (Dec. 18, 2020) – Since the first pre-ordered doses of the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine were delivered on Monday, Dec. 14, 750 vaccines have been administered to health care staff at the State’s six health systems and three sites of one long-term care organization. On Thursday, Delaware became one of the first states in the nation to offer vaccines to enrolled long-term health care workers. State officials strongly encourage people to get the vaccine as it becomes available to them under the vaccine’s phased rollout.

The 750 vaccines administered are current as of Friday at noon. The numbers of those vaccinated continue to change rapidly as more frontline workers receive the vaccine and not all reporting is completed in real-time. Up-to-date vaccine totals are expected to be posted at de.gov/healthycommunity in the coming days.

“Our frontline health care workers continue to lead by example, and I want to thank all of those Delawareans who rolled up their sleeves this week and received the vaccine,” said Governor Carney. “Your hard work and leadership will get us through this crisis. As our health care workers know, we continue to face a winter surge of COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations. Let’s all do our part, and do what works. Wear a mask. Don’t gather with friends or family outside your household. Stay vigilant.”

“We are so grateful to the health care community for embracing the arrival of this vaccine,” said DPH Director Dr. Karyl Rattay. “You are leading the way and demonstrating the importance of taking the vaccine to your friends, family and patients.”

Some of the first Delaware health care workers to receive the vaccine this first week were:

• Elisabeth Cote, a progressive care unit nurse at Bayhealth’s Kent County campus, was the first health care worker in Delaware to receive the vaccine.
• Sintia Rodriguez, a nurse at Beebe Healthcare’s emergency department and behavioral health unit, was the first health care worker in Sussex County to receive the vaccine.
• Kathleen Bonis, RRT, a respiratory therapist with ChristianaCare.
• Aaron Weaver, MD, a family practice doctor, was the first to receive the vaccine at Saint Francis Healthcare in New Castle County.
• Vickie Freeman BS, RN, CPN, Department of Pediatrics at Nemours duPont Hospital for Children.
• Joseph Kim, D.O., a primary care provider with TidalHealth Nanticoke
• Lisa Wullschleger, Advanced Practice Nurse from Porter State Service Center in Wilmington, Division of Public Health Clinic
• Warren Burke, executive director at Silver Lake Center, Genesis HealthCare in Dover, was the first long-term care staff member to receive the vaccine; Center Nursing Executive, Kerri Watson, RN, was the first at Genesis Milford Center to receive the vaccine.

DPH, which is coordinating the state’s vaccine distribution efforts, expects to receive an additional 2,925 doses of the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine next week, with additional supply being set aside through the federal long-term care/pharmacy program partnership.

DPH also is preparing for the expected U.S. Food & Drug Administration’s (FDA) approval of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine for Emergency Use Authorization (EUA). The FDA’s Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee (VRBPAC) met on Thursday and voted to approve Moderna’s EUA request, which would allow vaccination for ages 18 and older. The FDA and the CDC’s Advisory Committee are also expected to vote Friday night and Saturday, respectively. Should they approve the request, DPH expects to receive 16,700 doses of the Moderna vaccine within days of the approval, which will go to hospitals, EMS, Health Centers such as La Red Medical Center, Westside Family Health and Henrietta Johnson Medical Center, DPH clinics, and others to continue to vaccinate staff.

The FDA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are advising women who are pregnant or breastfeeding, individuals who have experienced allergic reactions to other vaccines and those who have compromised immune systems to discuss the benefits and risks of taking the vaccine with their medical provider before receiving it.

The potential side effects from the vaccine are similar to those experienced by people who receive the flu shot: soreness at the injection site, fever, headaches, and body aches that usually go away within 24 hours. Unless symptoms worsen or linger, there is no need to seek medical care. Pfizer reported no serious side effects from the vaccine, and there were no deaths directly linked to the vaccine itself. The FDA and CDC will continue to monitor the COVID-19 vaccine for safety and effectiveness and any long-term or rare side effects.

DPH has set up a Vaccine Call Center at 302-672-6150. People who are deaf and hard of hearing should call 2-1-1 or text their ZIP code to 898-211. Individuals can email their questions concerning the vaccine to Vaccine@Delaware.gov and visit de.gov/covidvaccine for more information.

DOVER (Dec. 17, 2020) – The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) announced it has set up a Vaccine Call Center for members of the public who have specific questions about the COVID-19 vaccine.

The Call Center will open Friday, Dec. 18, and will be operational from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, and from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Saturday. The call center will be closed on Christmas Day, Dec. 25, 2020, and New Year’s Day, Jan. 1, 2021. The Vaccine Call Center can be reached at 302-672-6150. In addition, individuals can email their questions concerning the vaccine to Vaccine@Delaware.gov.

This week, Delaware received 8,775 initial doses of the Pfizer BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. DPH facilitated the delivery of the vaccine to health care systems, as well as three long-term care facilities owned and operated by Genesis HealthCare, Inc. Health care systems have begun vaccinating front-line health care workers this week, and the long-term care facilities that received vaccine started vaccinating staff today.

Long-term care residents will be able to begin receiving the vaccine the week of December 28, as part of vaccination efforts under the federal pharmacy program. Walgreens and CVS pharmacists are partnering with facilities to vaccinate residents. While the vaccine is shipped directly to the pharmacies from the federal level, doses come out of each state’s total allocation.

The Pfizer BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine was granted Emergency Use Authorization by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration last week. The FDA’s advisory committee is meeting today to review manufacturer Moderna’s application for an Emergency Use Authorization. If approved over the weekend, Delaware could receive an initial shipment of 16,700 doses of Moderna vaccine next week.

Individuals can visit de.gov/covidvaccine for up-to-date information about the COVID-19 vaccine and distribution plans in Delaware. The Division of Public Health will also make vaccine-related data available on its My Healthy Community data portal at de.gov/healthycommunity in the coming days.