DOVER, DE (February 25, 2022) – 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 Thursday, Feb 24, 2022.

COVID-19 Cases and Hospitalizations: 

• Total positive cases since March 11, 2020: 256,337 
• 7-day average of new positive cases: 127, a decrease of 105.6 from last week. 
• 7-day average for the percentage of total positive tests: 5.0%, a decrease of 3.4 percentage points from last week 
• Hospitalizations: 98, a decrease of 45 from last week; critically ill: 11, a decrease of 2 from last week  
• Total COVID-19 deaths: 2,706 
• Total COVID-19 deaths reported since last week: 46, including 28 from a review of vital statistics records.   

COVID-19 Vaccinations:  

• Total number of doses administered in Delaware: 1,687,413 
• Percentage of Delawareans 5+ who are fully vaccinated (CDC data): 71.5% 
• Percentage of Delawareans 12+ who are fully vaccinated (CDC data): 75.9%  
• Percentage of Delawareans 18+ who are fully vaccinated (CDC data): 77.4% 
• Percent of Delawareans who are fully vaccinated (CDC data): 67.5%  

All qualifying Delawareans should get vaccinated. Individuals who qualify for a booster dose should get one as soon as possible. Booster vaccinations are available at any locations that offer the initial COVID-19 vaccine series. Visit de.gov/boosters for more information. For the latest information on the COVID-19 vaccine in Delaware, 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 vaccination status for cases, deaths, and hospitalizations for the time frame for Feb. 14 – Feb. 20. 

Breakthrough Cases (cumulative since vaccinations began): 

• Total breakthrough cases: 21,924, or 3.68% of fully vaccinated individuals  
• Total breakthrough hospitalizations: 280 
• Total breakthrough deaths: 256 

A breakthrough case is defined as testing positive for COVID-19 after an individual has been fully vaccinated for two weeks or more.  

*Please note, these data may be updated as additional information is received. 

Long-term Care Statistics:  

As of Thursday, Feb 24, there have been a total of 3,126 positive COVID-19 cases involving long-term care residents, and 908 residents of Delaware long-term care facilities have died from complications related to COVID-19.  

Flu Update: 

There were 17 laboratory-confirmed cases reported the week of Feb. 13 – Feb. 19. As of Feb. 19, 2022, the most recent date for which flu statistics are available, there have been 658 laboratory-confirmed cases for the current season. The cases involved 441 individuals from New Castle County, 87 from Kent County and 130 from Sussex County. This number reflects only the number of lab-confirmed cases; the actual number of cases circulating statewide is likely higher as not all people with the flu seek treatment, and many cases are diagnosed through rapid test kits in a provider’s office versus a lab. 

All individuals 6 months and older are strongly encouraged to get vaccinated against the flu if they haven’t already. Flu vaccines are available at pharmacies (including those in grocery stores), participating medical provider offices, Federally Qualified Health Centers (for their patients), as well as Division of Public Health clinics. DPH is also advising the public that the flu vaccine can be administered at the same time as the COVID-19 vaccine. 

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

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.  

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.  

### 

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.

NEW CASTLE (Feb. 23, 2021) – Governor John Carney, the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS), and the Delaware Department of Technology and Information (DTI) announced that COVID Alert DE has been downloaded by more than 100,000 adult Delawareans.

With the launch of the exposure notification app on Sept. 15, 2020, DHSS initially hoped to reach about 10 percent of the adult population age 18 or older, or about 77,000 Delawareans. As of Feb. 23, 2021, COVID Alert DE has been downloaded 100,005 times.

In addition, as of Feb. 23, about 9 percent of people who have tested positive and were interviewed by members of Delaware’s Contact Tracing Team since the app was launched in September 2020 said they had COVID Alert DE on their phones. Among their close contacts, about 13 percent told contact tracers that they also had the app on their phones.

“As the winter surge of COVID-19 cases strained our contact tracing system, COVID Alert DE filled a big gap,” said Governor Carney. “It anonymously notified Delawareans of potential exposures to the virus and gave Delawareans good information to help keep their family, friends, and neighbors safe. I want to thank all of my fellow Delawareans who have downloaded this app to help limit the spread of COVID-19 in our state.”

Any Delawarean with the COVID Alert DE app will receive an anonymous exposure notification alert if they are identified as a close contact of a COVID-positive individual in Delaware or 21 other states and Washington D.C. Delaware’s app is interoperable with COVID Alert PA in Pennsylvania, COVID Alert NJ in New Jersey and COVID Alert NY in New York, and 18 others states and Washington D.C. Users should download the application in the state where they are currently living and expect to be tested for COVID-19. The exposure notification apps are built on Bluetooth technology from Apple and Google.

COVID Alert DE is available for download to Delawareans 18 and older in the App Store or Google Play.

“Although COVID-19 cases are declining in Delaware, we urge people to remain vigilant because the virus is still prevalent in our state. In fact, the rate of cases today is much higher than it was last summer,” said Molly Magarik, Secretary of the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS). “That’s why we continue to encourage Delawareans to download the COVID Alert DE app as a way to keep themselves and their loved ones safe, especially if they work in a front-line job. And because our app works in concert with similar apps from Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York and other states, Delawareans have increased protection if they must travel to those states for work, medical appointments or to care for relatives.”

The app is not a substitute for basic public health precautionary measures, including mask-wearing, social distancing in public, avoiding crowds, frequent handwashing, staying home when sick, and getting vaccinated when eligible. Additionally, those who have the app are still asked to speak with contact tracers from the Division of Public Health if contacted.

Download the app:

Apple Store

Google Play

Visit de.gov/covidalert for additional information about COVID Alert DE, or send questions to DHSS_TownHall@delaware.gov.

Anyone with a question about COVID-19, whether related to medical or social service needs, should call Delaware 2-1-1. Individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing can text their ZIP code to 898-211. Hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Questions can also be submitted by email at DPHCall@delaware.gov.

Exposure notification app is supplementing Delaware’s contact tracing efforts

WILMINGTON, Del. – Governor John Carney, the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS), and the Delaware Department of Technology and Information (DTI) announced that COVID Alert DE has surpassed more than 50,000 downloads among Delawareans.

About 9 percent of people who have tested positive and were interviewed by members of Delaware’s Contact Tracing Team since the exposure notification app was launched on September 15 have said they downloaded the exposure notification app on their phone. Among their close contacts, 16 percent told contact tracers that they also had COVID Alert DE on their phones.

“COVID Alert DE is another tool to help slow the spread of the virus in our state,” said Governor Carney. “As more and more Delawareans download the app, we know that it is successfully supplementing our contract tracing efforts through anonymous and secure exposure alerts. That will help us keep our transmission rates low going forward – and make even more progress getting more children back to school, and more Delawareans back to work.”

Any Delawarean with the COVID Alert DE app will receive an anonymous exposure notification alert if they are identified as a close contact of a COVID-positive individual in Delaware or three other states. Delaware’s app is interoperable with COVID Alert PA in Pennsylvania, COVID Alert NJ in New Jersey and COVID Alert NY in New York. Users should download the application in the state where they are currently living and expect to be tested for COVID-19. The exposure notification apps are built on Bluetooth technology from Apple and Google.

COVID Alert DE is available in the App Store or Google Play.  

“I want to urge more Delawareans to download the COVID Alert DE app as a way to keep themselves and their loved ones safe, especially if you work in a front-line job or are living on a college campus,” said Molly Magarik, Secretary of the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS). “If you already have the app, I urge you to use the symptom tracker every morning, especially with flu season expected to intermingle with COVID-19 during the fall and winter.”

The app is not a substitute for basic public health precautionary measures – including mask-wearing, social distancing in public, avoiding crowds and frequent handwashing. Additionally, those who have the app are still asked to speak with contact tracers from the Division of Public Health if contacted.

Download the app:

Apple Store

Google Play

Visit de.gov/covidalert for additional information about COVID Alert DE, or send questions to DPHCall@delaware.gov. 

Are you a business, nonprofit, or organization interested in COVID Alert DE? Email questions about partnership opportunities to DHSS_TownHall@delaware.gov.  

Anyone with a question about COVID-19, whether related to medical or social service needs, should call Delaware 2-1-1. Individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing can text their ZIP code to 898-211. Hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. 

Questions can also be submitted by email at DPHCall@delaware.gov.

###

NY and NJ apps, launched today, are now operable with Delaware app available on App Store and Google Play 

WILMINGTON, Del. –Governor John Carney, the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS), and the Delaware Department of Technology and Information (DTI) announced that COVID Alert DE will expand its reach to New York and New Jersey. Both states launched their versions of the exposure notification apps –COVID Alert NY and COVID Alert NJ– on Thursday.

Delaware’s app is already interoperable with COVID Alert PA in Pennsylvania. Users should download the application in the state where they are currently living. The exposure notification apps are built on Bluetooth technology from Apple and Google.

COVID Alert DE is available in the App Store or Google Play.  

“More than 33,000 Delawareans have signed up to help slow the spread of COVID-19 by downloading COVID Alert DE,” said Governor Carney. “With our partners in New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania, Delawareans now have another tool to help slow the spread, especially if they travel in the Mid-Atlantic region for work or to visit family.”

Any Delawarean with the COVID Alert DE app will receive an anonymous exposure notification alert if they are identified as a close contact of a COVID-positive individual in New York or New Jersey who is using either of those states’ apps. Residents of Pennsylvania, which launched its app last week, are also part of this exposure notification network.

“With this enhanced network, the more Delaware residents who are aware of their potential exposure to COVID-19, the more likely we are to keep transmission rates low, protect people’s lives and keep our economy and educational system moving forward,” said Molly Magarik, Secretary of the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS). “One thing to remember: Please download the app of the state in which you are currently living and where you expect to be tested for COVID-19, if needed.”

The app is not a substitute for basic public health precautionary measures – including mask-wearing, social distancing in public, and frequent handwashing. Additionally, those who have the app are still asked to speak with contact tracers from the Division of Public Health if contacted.

Download the app:   

Apple Store

Google Play

Visit de.gov/covidalert for additional information about COVID Alert DE, or send questions to DPHCall@delaware.gov 

Are you a business, nonprofit, or organization interested in COVID Alert DE? Email questions about partnership opportunities to DHSS_TownHall@delaware.gov.  

Anyone with a question about COVID-19, whether related to medical or social service needs, should call Delaware 2-1-1. Individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing can text their ZIP code to 898-211. Hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. 

Questions can also be submitted by email at DPHCall@delaware.gov.

###

COVID Alert PA Interoperable with Delaware app available on App Store and Google Play

 WILMINGTON, Del. – Governor John Carney, the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS), and the Delaware Department of Technology and Information (DTI) announced that COVID Alert DE will be interoperable with Pennsylvania’s exposure notification app, COVID Alert PA, which launched today.

The COVID Alert DE mobile app is available in the App Store or Google Play.

“Nearly 25,000 Delawareans have already downloaded COVID Alert DE to help us slow the spread of this virus,” said Governor Carney. “By teaming up with Pennsylvania, we are hoping to raise awareness of this important technology, and assist those Delawareans that travel to and from Pennsylvania for their daily commutes. We encourage those who have not yet downloaded the app to consider doing so to protect themselves and their families.”

COVID Alert DE and COVID Alert PA were created in partnership with the software developer NearForm. These apps will allow for interoperability and exposure notifications across state lines using Bluetooth technology developed by Apple and Google.

“COVID Alert DE is working well, but with Pennsylvania’s newly announced app, it will work even better,” said Molly Magarik, Secretary of the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS). “Contact tracers across the state have been providing Delawareans who have tested positive and have COVID Alert DE on their phones with the six-digit code they need to, in turn, upload their keys and anonymously notify close contacts. We appreciate the community support getting the word out about this app, and we hope to see a jump in users in weeks to come.”

The app is not a substitute for basic public health precautionary measures – including mask-wearing, social distancing in public, and frequent handwashing. Additionally, those who have the app are still asked to speak with contact tracers from the Division of Public Health if contacted.

Visit de.gov/covidalert for additional information about COVID Alert DE, or send questions to DPHCall@delaware.gov

 Are you a business, nonprofit, or organization interested in COVID Alert DE? Email questions about partnership opportunities to DHSS_TownHall@delaware.gov. 

Download the app:  

Apple Store

Google Play

Anyone with a question about COVID-19, whether related to medical or social service needs, should call Delaware 2-1-1. Individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing can text their ZIP code to 898-211. Hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Questions can also be submitted by email at DPHCall@delaware.gov.  

Report a business for COVID-19 non-compliance using this form.  

DPH will continue to update the public as more information becomes available. For the latest on Delaware’s response, go to de.gov/coronavirus.  

###