Second-dose vaccination events already full

Vaccination events planned this week are already fully booked, and the state says those who were unable to sign up will have another opportunity.

A second-dose vaccination event will be held at Dover International Speedway on a date to be announced, Division of Public Health officials said in a Feb. 12 press release.

Appointments filled quickly for Curative vaccination events planned Feb. 15-19; officials encourage those interested to go to de.gov/seconddose for more information as it becomes available. 

The number of COVID-19 hospitalizations and critically ill continues to drop. As of Feb. 13, DPH reports 216 individuals are hospitalized due to COVID-19 in Delaware, which is a decrease of 74 compared to this time last week. Eighteen of the hospitalized persons are critically ill, down 22 from last week.

The seven-day average for the percentage of persons who tested positive for COVID-19 as of Feb. 13 was 20.4 percent, a decrease from 20.9 percent as of  Feb. 4. As of  Feb. 11, the seven-day average for the percentage of total tests that were positive was 5.9 percent, a decrease from 7.2 percent Feb. 2.

To date, DPH has identified six confirmed cases of the UK COVID-19 variant in Delaware. The cases include five adults ranging in age from 18 to 65, and a child under the age of 10. Four individuals were from New Castle County and two were from Kent County.

Officials said virus mutation is common. Preliminary data suggest the UK variant, as well as Brazilian and South African variants, may spread more easily and quickly, which could lead to increased cases. Public health approach and treatments are not different, but as this new variant may be more contagious, it is even more important that individuals remain vigilant and continue taking the necessary steps to avoid spreading the virus – wear a mask, wash your hands, avoid gatherings.

A total of 82,263 positive cases of COVID-19 among Delaware residents have been reported to DPH since March 11, 2020. The seven-day average of new positive cases increased slightly to 396.7 as of Feb. 11.

A total of 1,269 Delawareans have passed away due to complications from COVID-19. The state reported 78 additional deaths since last week's update. Individuals who have died from COVID-19 range in age from younger than 5 to 104 years old. Of those who have died, 638 were female and 631 were male. A total of 610 were from New Castle County, 267 were from Kent County, and 392 were from Sussex County.

More information about COVID-19 vaccine rollout, which includes a list of pharmacies and medical providers accepting public requests for vaccination, is available at de.gov/covidvaccine. Questions can be directed to the Vaccine Call Center at 1-833-643-1715. People who are deaf or hard of hearing should call 2-1-1 or text their ZIP code to 898-211. Individuals can email questions concerning the vaccine to Vaccine@Delaware.gov.

Long-term care statistics

The Division of Public Health is discontinuing its reporting of significant COVID-19 outbreaks in long-term care facilities throughout the state as the outbreaks identified and monitored since September 2020 are largely under control at this time. While DPH will continue to actively monitor for clusters in long-term facilities, presenting cumulative case totals no longer provides a valuable or accurate representation of the active cases occurring at each facility at this particular point in time.

As of Feb. 11, there have been 2,217 positive COVID-19 cases cumulatively involving long-term care residents, and 653 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 (21)

Brackenville Center, Genesis Healthcare, Hockessin (20)

Brandywine Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Wilmington (35)

Brandywine Living at Seaside Pointe, Rehoboth Beach (5)

Brookdale Dover, Dover (14)

Cadia Healthcare Broadmeadow, Middletown (16)

Cadia Healthcare Capitol, Dover (21)

Cadia Healthcare Renaissance, Millsboro (11)

Cadia Healthcare North Wilmington/Silverside, Wilmington (30)

Churchman Village, Newark (18)

Country Rest Home, Greenwood (15)

Delaware Hospital for the Chronically Ill, Smyrna (15)

Delmar Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Delmar (2)

Dover Place, Dover (6)

Foulk Manor South, Wilmington (8)

Forwood Manor, Wilmington (4)

Governor Bacon Health Center, Delaware City (1)

HarborChase of Wilmington, Wilmington (4)

Harbor Healthcare and Rehabilitation, Lewes (41)

Harrison House Senior Living, Georgetown (46)

Hillside Center, Wilmington (7)

Ingleside Assisted Living, Wilmington (2)

Kentmere Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center, Wilmington (9)

Kutz Senior Living, Wilmington (9)

Little Sisters of the Poor, Newark (11)

Lofland Park Center, Genesis Healthcare, Seaford (6)

ManorCare Health Services, Wilmington (16)

ManorCare Health Services, Pike Creek (26)

Methodist Country House, Wilmington (4)

Millcroft, Newark (3)

Milford Center, Genesis Healthcare, Milford (46)

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 (34)

Regal Heights Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center, Hockessin (14)

Regency Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center, Wilmington (8)

Seaford Center, Genesis Healthcare, Seaford (3)

Shipley Manor, Wilmington (8)

Silver Lake Center, Genesis Healthcare, Dover (2)

Somerford House and Place, Newark (4)

Summit Assisted Living, Hockessin (3)

Sunrise Assisted Living, Wilmington (2)

The Center at Eden Hill, Dover (6)

The Moorings at Lewes, Lewes (4)

Westminster Village, Dover (23)

WillowBrooke Court Skilled Center at Manor House, Seaford (12)

WillowBrooke Court at Cokesbury Village, Hockessin (4)

Four 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)

Anyone sick with any of the following symptoms should 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 freestanding sites operated by healthcare systems and hospitals, will be listed on the testing section of the Delaware coronavirus website at de.gov/gettested.

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 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Friday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday and Sunday. Medically related questions regarding testing, symptoms, and health-related guidance can be emailed to 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.