Coronavirus testing now available in Delaware

Two Kent County residents tested negative for the coronavirus under the state’s new testing procedure. The Delaware Division of Public Health announced March 2 that the state has the ability to test for the virus.

Karyl Rattay, director of the Division of Public Health, said the two residents recently traveled abroad, but gave no further details.

“The Division of Public Health is able to conduct testing, and the two will be the first tested in Delaware,” she said during a press conference at Christiana Hospital before the test results were in.

Rattay said there are also 14 people who recently traveled to mainland China who are being monitored. “They remain in their homes,” she said.

Marci Drees, infection prevention officer and health system epidemiologist for ChristianaCare, said the state's ability to test for the coronavirus is great news.

“It will certainly speed up time to give people the information they need,” she said.

Kara Odom Walker, secretary of the Department of Health and Social Services, said the risk to the average Delawarean remains low, but residents should take measures to prevent spreading the virus.

“Limiting public interaction is important if it spreads to Delaware,” she said.

Frequent hand washing, covering coughs and sneezes, and staying away from healthy people if one gets sick can help prevent the spread of the virus, she said.

Wearing a mask, however, is not necessary, Rattay said. “There is no indication that wearing a mask is a prevention measure,” she said.

Rattay said this will be a big week as officials continue to monitor the virus and its impact on the state.

Odom Walker said now is the time for employers and schools to review infection prevention plans and what to do if someone gets sick.

“You do not need to come to work if you're sick,” she said.

While no one has yet tested positive for coronavirus in Delaware, there have been about 90 reported cases nationwide. As of the Cape Gazette's press time, six deaths have been reported in the United States. Worldwide, about 90,000 cases have been reported, including 3,000 deaths.

Coronavirus symptoms can include fever, cough and shortness of breath. Symptoms may appear anytime from 2 to 14 days after exposure. Of those who have been diagnosed with the virus, officials say, some have little to no symptoms – similar to the common cold – while others become severely ill. According to officials, young people who have contracted the virus have fared well; elderly and those with compromised immune systems have been hardest hit.

Delaware officials said they will continue to work together as the virus progresses. “This week will be a big week,” Rattay said.

Public health officials will stay vigilant to keep long-term care facilities, 24-hour facilities and other healthcare centers updated.

There is no vaccine yet against the virus, but health officials encourage residents to get a flu shot, since more than 5,000 flu cases have been confirmed this season in Delaware along with 11 deaths.

By midweek, Rattay said, the Division of Public Health will open a call center to field inquiries from the public. The phone number will be announced when the call center is ready, she said. DPH is also issuing updated guidance for monitoring returning travelers as new countries have been added to the list of countries with coronavirus-related travel alerts.

For more information and updates related to the virus, visit the DPH website at https://dhss.delaware.gov/dph, where materials can be found in English, simplified Chinese/Mandarin, Spanish, and Haitian-Creole. In addition to updates on the global coronavirus disease outbreak, the website also contains numbers of returning travelers that DPH is currently monitoring, which are updated every Tuesday and Friday.

The most accurate and timely information regarding this outbreak is available through the Division of Public Health, as well as the CDC’s website and social media channels.