DOVER, DE (May 21, 2022) – The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) reports an increase in COVID-19 cases since the previous monthly COVID-19 update released on April 22, 2022. While COVID-19 cases are increasing in Delaware, hospitalizations and deaths remain significantly lower when compared to the winter surge. DPH continues to encourage Delawareans to get tested if they exhibit symptoms of COVID-19 or have been exposed to someone who tested positive. Although there are no Delaware or federal government mask mandates, individuals are encouraged to mask in public indoor areas in Delaware. Delawareans are also reminded to get boosted to increase their individual protection against COVID-19. Staying up to date with your vaccinations is the best way to ensure your body is prepared to fight against severe cases of COVID-19.

You are eligible for a booster dose if you:

• Are 5+ and it has been 5 months after your second dose of Pfizer
• Are 18+ and it has been 5 months after second dose of Moderna
• Are 18+ and it has been 2 months since your initial dose of Johnson & Johnson
• Qualified for an “additional/fourth” dose of Pfizer or Moderna because you have certain immunocompromising conditions or are age 50 and older. You can get your booster (fourth) dose 6 months after receiving your additional/third dose
• Follow https://coronavirus.delaware.gov/vaccine/where-can-i-get-my-vaccine/#publichealth for locations to receive booster shots

COVID-19 Cases and Hospitalizations:

• Total positive cases since March 11, 2020: 271,294
• 7-day daily average of new positive cases: 574.7, a difference of 417.6 average new positive cases reported since April 22, 2022
• 7-day daily average for the percentage of total positive tests: 19.0 percentage points, a difference of 11.4 percentage points reported since April 22, 2022
• Hospitalizations: 127, current hospitalizations; critically ill: 13
• Total COVID-19 deaths: 2,939 an increase of 43 since last month
• Total COVID-19 deaths reported since April 22, 2022: 43 deaths; 9 regularly reported deaths, 34 deaths from a review of vital statistics

COVID-19 Vaccinations:  

• Total number of doses administered in Delaware: 1,805,255 
• Percentage of Delawareans 5+ who are fully vaccinated (CDC data): 73.6% 
• Percentage of Delawareans 12+ who are fully vaccinated (CDC data): 77.8%  
• Percentage of Delawareans 18+ who are fully vaccinated (CDC data): 79.3% 
• Percent of Delawareans who are fully vaccinated (CDC data): 69.5%  

All qualifying Delawareans should get vaccinated. For a location near you, visit de.gov/getmyvaccine. Delaware’s latest COVID-19 vaccination statistics can be found under the Vaccine Tracker dashboard at de.gov/healthycommunity.  

COVID-19 Case Vaccination Status Report:  

The following reports capture a weekly breakdown of non-boosted cases, deaths, and hospitalizations for the time frame of May 09 – May 15, 2022. 

Long-term Care Statistics:  

As of Thursday, May 19, 2022, there have been a total of 3,890 positive COVID-19 cases involving long-term care residents, and 956 residents of Delaware long-term care facilities have died from complications related to COVID-19.  

Flu Update: 

DPH reminds the public that flu season is not over.  There were 126 laboratory-confirmed cases reported the week of May 8-May 14. As of May 20, 2022, the most recent date for which flu statistics are available. There have been 2,341 laboratory-confirmed cases for the current season, an increase of 633 since April 22, 2022. The cases involved 1,103 individuals from New Castle County, 518 from Kent County and 720 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. There may be technical discrepancies in reporting numbers week to week due to retroactive reporting of cases.

All individuals 6 months and older may still 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.    

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

The Delaware Department of Health and Social Services is committed to improving the quality of the lives of Delaware’s citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations.

DOVER (May 17, 2022) – The Division of Public Health (DPH) is providing guidance to families struggling to find formula due to a shortage caused by a supply chain issues, including avoiding taking certain measures that could be harmful to their infant’s health.

DPH sent out a letter from U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Health Resources and Services Administration’s Maternal and Child Health Bureau to families and maternal child health stakeholders, offering individuals information on how to safely navigate the shortages. 

Parents and caregivers are offered the following guidance:   

•  Talk to your doctor: Families should consult their pediatrician to discuss the best options for their child. Doctors can provide guidance on comparable formula and specialized formula to meet their babies’ medical and nutrition needs. 
• Consider a substitute formula: For most babies, it is OK to use a similar version of their formula if their regular brand of formula is not currently available. Talk with your baby’s pediatrician about alternatives.  
• Check the manufacture’s site online for formula availability before going to a store to purchase.    

DPH reminds parents/guardians: 

• Do not make or use homemade formula: Per the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA), homemade formulas often lack or have inadequate amounts of critical nutrients vital for a babies growth and development and in some cases can cause infants to be hospitalized due to low calcium. 
• Never dilute formula: Watering down infant formula can be dangerous and even life-threatening, leading to a serious nutritional deficit and health issues. 
• Consider a substitute formula: For most babies, if their regular brand of formula is not currently available, using a similar version of their formula is ok. Talk with your baby’s pediatrician about alternatives.  
• If not receiving breast milk, formula should be used until your baby turns 1 year old, but if your child is over six months you can start to supplement nutrition with some solids. Talk to your pediatrician about introducing some solids like fortified cereal, mashed bananas and pureed poultry and beans. 
• Talk to your doctor: Families should consult their pediatrician to discuss the best options for their child. Doctors can provide guidance on comparable formula and specialized formula to meet their babies’ medical and nutrition needs.  
• Breastfeed your child: When possible, breastfeeding is the healthiest option for children under age 1. 
• For parents who are breastfeeding or need additional support, they may want to consider a lactation consultant or support groups, or seek assistance to access a breast pump at a low cost through your insurance provider, Medicaid, or WIC to assist with milk supply. There are also breast milk banks that properly store, test and distribute donated mothers’ milk to meet the specific needs of infants for whom human milk is prescribed by physicians.  The Delaware WIC program offers breastfeeding assistance to new mothers, including peer counselors, lactation consultants and manual pumps. Details on WIC’s breastfeeding programs can be found here. 

DPH has also taken the following steps to help parents and caregivers as the supply chain issues get resolved nationwide: 

• WIC recipients have been asked to return any unused formula to the Food Bank of Delaware or another state agency food pantries.   
• WIC recipients also were granted a waiver to substitute formula this winter when supply chain issues that were made worse by a recall first emerged. A chart of formula alternatives was created to help parents and caregivers select the right formula for their child.   
• Parents who are breastfeeding or need additional support may want to consider a lactation consultant or support groups, or seek assistance to access a breast pump at a low cost through their insurance provider, Medicaid, or WIC to assist with milk supply. The Delaware WIC program offers breastfeeding assistance to new mothers, including peer counselors, lactation consultants and manual pumps. Details on WIC’s breastfeeding programs can be found here.   
• DPH reminds parents that state and community resources that could be helpful during this time are available, such as WIC, SNAP, or TANF to help with the cost of buying formula or to find other infant supplies through local food banks including the Food Bank of Delaware. DPH also offers a breastfeeding guide for mothers who want to find support or learn more about breastfeeding.

Several birth hospitals in Delaware also offer breastfeeding support and parent education. Individuals should check with their local hospital to see what services are offered.   

Delawareans are encouraged to visit dethrives.com for up-to-date information on Delaware’s response to the infant formula supply chain issues, call 211 for community resources and services near you, or follow DEThrives and DPH on Facebook and Instagram.     

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

Delaware Health and Social Services is committed to improving the quality of the lives of Delaware’s citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations. 

DOVER, DE (MAY 13, 2022) – Today, Dr. Karyl Rattay is announcing that she will be leaving her role as Director of the Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) effective June 30, 2022.  Dr. Rattay assumed her position in 2009, during the H1N1 influenza pandemic, and is the nation’s longest serving Public Health Director.

As Delaware’s State Health Official, Dr. Rattay leads nearly 1,000 employees who promote health, reduce health inequities, and protect Delawareans from disease, environmental hazards, and public health emergencies.

“It has been the greatest honor of my lifetime to serve Delawareans in this role, said Dr. Rattay. “I am grateful for the opportunity to have served under Governor Carney, and Governor Markell before him.  I could not be prouder of the DPH team and what we have accomplished together over the past 13 years.”

“When you work with someone through a crisis, you really see what they’re made of. Dr. Rattay is smart, steady, focused, and committed,” said Governor John Carney. Most importantly though, she is kind and compassionate. Her style of leadership and her work ethic are what helped Delaware make it through this pandemic. And the work Dr. Rattay did at Public Health in the decade leading up to the pandemic is why her team was ready and able to step up and manage this crisis. We will miss Dr. Rattay as a member of our team and I am personally grateful to her for all she did to lead us through this once-in-a-generation public health crisis.”

“In her 13 years as our Director of the Division of Public Health, Dr. Karyl Rattay has been driven by a singular focus: How could she and her team improve and protect the health and well-being of the Delawareans they serve,” said Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) Secretary Molly Magarik. “Her values, her work ethic and her passion for this work have never wavered. She believes in meeting communities where they are, listening to stakeholders across the spectrum, and building public health responses that are tailored to the populations we are serving. On behalf of the employees of DHSS and the people of Delaware, I offer my heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Rattay her leadership, her innovative spirit, and her commitment to our state.”

Dr. Rattay says leading the state through the COVID-19 pandemic over the last two years – the greatest public health crisis in a century – has tested those in public health departments professionally and personally. She indicated that while she is not ready to announce her next role, she is excited about the new opportunities in front of her and believes this is a good time to transition the Division to its next leader.  

During her tenure at DPH Dr. Rattay and her team have:

• Succeeded in becoming one of the first 16 states in the nation to achieve and maintain full accreditation from the national Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB).
• Launched the State’s first Health Improvement Plan and multi-year agency strategic plans.
• Significantly reduced infant mortality rates by nearly 30% from 2015 -2019 through close collaboration with many maternal and child health partners, and a 25% reduction in unintended pregnancies through the Delaware Contraceptives Access Now (Delaware CAN) initiative.
• Saw a 14% reduction in cancer mortality rates through a comprehensive statewide prevention, screening, and treatment initiative.
• Worked with the legislature to pass a bill increasing the age to buy tobacco products to 21 and adding e-cigarettes to Delaware’s Clean Indoor Air Act.
• In conjunction with the University of Delaware and Delaware Community Foundation, spearheaded the creation of the Healthy Communities Delaware (HCD) initiative – a placed-based partnership with communities to address their most important social determinants of health.
• Played the state’s leading role in responding to multiple health threats, including COVID-19, H1N1, Superstorm Sandy, Ebola, Zika virus, Tuberculosis outbreaks and others.
• Launched the My Healthy Community data portal in 2019, bringing Delaware public health data down to the ZIP code level, including community characteristics, the environment, chronic disease, and mental health and substance use, air quality, asthma incidence data, public and private drinking water results, and drug overdose and death data. In 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic began, the Division of Public Health used My Healthy Community to report COVID-19 data, again down to the ZIP code level in many cases. It was one of the most robust COVID-19 data sites in the country.
• Assumed a leadership role in addressing the state’s opioid crisis.
• Added the Medical Marijuana Program in 2014 to administer medical marijuana cards for eligible Delawareans and to license and oversee compassion centers in all three counties.
• Added the Office of Animal Welfare in 2013 based on the recommendations of the General Assembly Animal Welfare Task Force as a way to consolidate and coordinate animal companion programs in Delaware

Dr. Rattay has earned multiple honors and awards. In 2019, she was awarded the prestigious Arthur T. McCormack Award by the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO) for her leadership and contributions as a state health official.  She also received the Vision of Peace award from the Delaware Coalition Against Domestic Violence; the Health Professional of the Year award from the National Alliance on Mental Illness; the President’s Award three times from former Medical Society of Delaware presidents; the Medal of Honor Award from atTAcK addiction and was honored by Governor Carney as the longest-serving state health official in the nation.

She has been named as one of “Delaware’s Most Influential” individuals for 2020 and 2021. Dr. Rattay chairs the Healthy Babies Subcommittee for ASTHO and is a Board member of ASTHO and the Public Health Foundation. She is the Chair of Delaware’s Addiction Action Committee, Co-Chair of the Overdose System of Care Committee, and a current member and former president of the Delaware Board of Medical Licensure and Discipline.

Dr. Rattay earned a Medical Doctorate from the Medical University of Ohio in 1992 and a Master of Science in Epidemiology from the University of Maryland in 2001. She completed her Pediatric Residency at Georgetown University and a Preventive Medicine and Public Health Residency training program at the University of Maryland.

Dr. Rattay is board-certified in pediatrics and practiced pediatrics for 14 years. Between September 2001 and June 2004, she served as a senior public health advisor to the U.S. Surgeon General and Assistant Secretary of Health in the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Department of Health and Human Services, where she had a leadership role in the President’s Healthier U.S. Initiative. 

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

 Delaware Health and Social Services is committed to improving the quality of the lives of Delaware’s citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations.

DOVER, DE (MAY 9, 2022) – The Delaware Division of Public Health’s (DPH) Diabetes & Heart Disease Prevention & Control Program (DHDPC) and the Delaware Diabetes Coalition are co-sponsoring the 20^th Annual Diabetes Wellness Expo on May 10, 2022, at the Delaware State Fairgrounds in Harrington, Delaware. The event is free to the public and will be held in the Kent Open Air Barn from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m..

More than 96,800 Delaware adults reported in 2020 that they had been diagnosed with diabetes, according to Delaware Behavioral Risk Factor Survey.  The survey also shows 75,100 additional Delaware adults reported being diagnosed with pre-diabetes.  Progression to type 2 diabetes can be prevented or delayed by losing weight, engaging in at least 150 minutes of physical activity weekly, and improving one’s diet.  

People with diabetes, pre-diabetes, caregivers, employers, and health professionals are encouraged to attend the Diabetes Wellness Expo to learn how to prevent complications of the chronic disease, such as kidney failure, adult blindness, lower-limb amputations, heart disease, and stroke.  

About the Annual Diabetes Wellness Expo 

More than 50 exhibitors and educational seminars will provide information about diabetes management, nutrition, exercise, medication adherence, foot care, and depression.  Diabetes and blood pressure screenings, cooking demonstrations, dental and eye exams, and COVID-19 vaccinations are offered at no cost.  Complimentary $10 lunch vouchers for onsite food trucks will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Additional co-sponsors include DPH’s Physical Activity, Nutrition and Obesity Prevention Program, Bayhealth, Simon Eye Associates, and AmeriHealth Caritas Delaware.  

To register or become a vendor for the Diabetes Wellness Expo, visit https://www.dediabetescoalition.org/wellness-expo/.  For more information about the Diabetes Wellness Expo, send questions to director@dediabetescoalition.org or call the Delaware Diabetes Coalition at 302-388-9728. 

To learn more about diabetes management and prevention programs and resources, visit https://www.healthydelaware.org/Individuals/Diabetes#knowing or call DPH’s Diabetes and Heart Disease Prevention and Control Program at 302-744-1020. 

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

Delaware Health and Social Services is committed to improving the quality of the lives of Delaware’s citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations.

DOVER, DE (April 22, 2022) – The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) is providing an update on case and vaccination data since the last COVID-19 update released on March 25, 2022.  While Delaware is experiencing a rise in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations, both remain significantly lower than during the winter surge. Deaths are also low overall. Over the last month, DPH announced its first Test-to-Treat center in Newark, on April 14, 2022, and distributed approximately 190,000 over-the-counter (OTC) COVID-19 test kits to school districts, charter schools, and private/parochial schools.

DPH continues to encourage Delawareans to protect themselves and their families by using the tools they already have available to them to stay one step ahead of COVID-19:

• Stay up to date with your vaccines. Get vaccinated and boosted when eligible. Vaccines are readily available. Find a vaccination site at de.gov/getmyvaccine. 
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Get tested if you have symptoms of COVID-19. Some symptoms mirror those of flu, which remains active in Delaware, and seasonal allergies.  Be sure. Find a testing location or where to get a home test kit at de.gov/gettested.
• If you test positive for COVID, check with your health care provider to determine if you should get treatment for COVID-19.
• Mask up in indoor public settings if you feel uncomfortable or unsafe, or have a weakened immune system, or if you live with someone who does. 

COVID-19 Cases and Hospitalizations:

• Total positive cases since March 11, 2020: 261,118
• 7-day average of new positive cases: 157.1, An increase of 94.0 average new positive cases from March 25, 2022.
• 7-day average for the percentage of total positive tests: 7.6%, an increase of 4.4 percentage points from March 25, 2022.
• Hospitalizations: 45 current hospitalizations (an increase of 10 since March 25); critically ill: 6, an increase of 4 since March 25, 2022.
• Total COVID-19 deaths: 2,896 an increase of 59 since last month (2 regularly reported deaths; 57 deaths from a review of vital statistics).

COVID-19 Vaccinations:  

• Total number of doses administered in Delaware: 1,757,355 
• Percentage of Delawareans 5+ who are fully vaccinated (CDC data): 73% 
• Percentage of Delawareans 12+ who are fully vaccinated (CDC data): 77.2%  
• Percentage of Delawareans 18+ who are fully vaccinated (CDC data): 78.7% 
• Percent of Delawareans who are fully vaccinated (CDC data): 68.9%  

Delaware’s latest COVID-19 vaccination statistics can be found under the Vaccine Tracker dashboard at de.gov/healthycommunity.  

COVID-19 Case Vaccination Status Report:  

The following reports capture a weekly breakdown of non-boosted cases, deaths, and hospitalizations for the time frame for April 11 – April 17, 2022. 

Long-term Care Statistics:  

As of Thursday, April 21, 2022, there have been a total of 3,803 positive COVID-19 cases involving long-term care residents (an increase of 120 since March 25), and 945 residents of Delaware long-term care facilities have died from complications related to COVID-19 (an increase of 14).  

Flu Update: 

DPH reminds the public that flu season is not over.  There were 251 laboratory-confirmed cases reported the week of April 10-16, the most recent date for which flu statistics are available. There have been 1,708 laboratory-confirmed cases for the current season, an increase of 807 since March 25,2022. The cases involved 793 individuals from New Castle County, 371 from Kent County and 544 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. There may be technical discrepancies of reporting numbers week to week due to retroactive reporting of cases.  

In addition to staying home if you have flu-like symptoms, and taking antiviral medication as directed, DPH recommends that you:

• Practice social distancing by keeping your distance from well people if you have cold or flu-like symptoms.
• Wear a well-fitting face covering if you feel ill and have to go out in public to a doctor’s appointment or pharmacy.
• Wash your hands frequently with soap and water or use alcohol-based hand sanitizers.
• Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue, and dispose of tissues immediately; if no tissue is available, cough or sneeze into your inner elbow.

Flu vaccines remain 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.  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.    

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

The Delaware Department of Health and Social Services is committed to improving the quality of the lives of Delaware’s citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations.