WEEKLY COVID-19 UPDATE – JANUARY 21, 2022: 

DELAWARE DIVISION OF PUBLIC HEALTH REPORTS PROMISING COVID-19 DATA TRENDS 

 

DOVER, DE (Jan. 21, 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, Jan 20, 2021. DPH reports a welcomed decrease in new positive cases and hospitalizations over the last week, however, both cases and hospitalizations remain elevated statewide. 

 

While there has been a decline in new positive cases and hospitalizations in the past week, it is important that Delawareans take important steps to keep themselves and others safe to maintain positive new data trends: 

  

• Get vaccinated and boosted. COVID-19 vaccines continue to offer the best protection against infection, hospitalization, and death. 
• Wear a well-fitting mask in public and when around others outside of your household. Make sure your mask fits properly over your nose and mouth. Review the face covering guidance from DPH.  
• Stay home if you have symptoms or if you have been exposed to someone with COVID-19. Avoid non-essential in-person social gatherings. 
• Go to the emergency room if you have a true emergency, but do not go to the ER only for a COVID-19 test. Our hospitals are strained, and emergency departments need to be preserved for life-threatening emergencies. 

  

• You should get tested: 

• If you have symptoms, especially if unvaccinated or have an underlying health condition. 
• If you have been exposed to someone with COVID-19. You should get tested 5 days after exposure if possible. 
• If you are unvaccinated (you should get tested once a week).  

 

COVID-19 Cases and Hospitalizations: 

• Total positive cases since March 11, 2020: 236,022 
• 7-day average of new positive cases: 2,006.6, down from 3,187.6 last week. 
• 7-day average for the percentage of total positive tests: 27.2%, down  from 31% last week 
• Hospitalizations: 606, a decrease of 123 from last week; critically ill: 64, a decrease of 5 from last week  
• Total COVID-19 deaths: 2,457 
• Total COVID-19 deaths reported since last week: 61 including 21 from a review of vital statistic records 

  

COVID-19 Vaccinations:  

• Total number of doses administered in Delaware: 1,620,971 
• Percentage of Delawareans 5+ who received at least one dose (CDC data) 84.2% 
• Percentage of Delawareans 12+ who have received at least one dose (CDC data): 89.5%  
• Percentage of Delawareans 18+ who received at least one dose (CDC data): 91.5% 
• Percent of Delawareans who are fully vaccinated (CDC data): 65.7%  

  

All qualifying Delawareans should get vaccinated. Individuals who qualify for a booster dose should get one as soon as possible. For the latest information on the COVID-19 vaccine in Delaware, visit de.gov/getmyvaccine. For information on boosters, visit de.gov/boosters. 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 Jan.10 – Jan.16. 

 

Weekly Overview (1/10/22- 1/16/22)
Non-boosted Cases
Total Non-Boosted Cases	16657
Total Cases	18910
Percent of Non-boosted cases	88.1%
Non-boosted Hospitalized Cases
Total Non-boosted Hospitalized cases	390
Total Hospitalized Cases	432
Percent of Non-boosted hospitalized Cases	90.3%

Weekly Overview
(1/10/22- 1/16/22)
Unvaccinated Cases
Total Unvaccinated / Partially Vaccinated Cases	10663
Total Cases	18910
Percent of Unvaccinated / Partially Vaccinated Cases	56%
Hospitalizations
Unvaccinated / Partially Vaccinated Hospitalized  Cases	263
Total Hospitalized Cases	432
Percent of Unvaccinated / Partially Vaccinated Hospitalized  Cases	61%
Deaths
Unvaccinated / Partially Vaccinated COVID-19 Deaths	23
Total COVID-19 Deaths	35
Percent of Unvaccinated / Partially Vaccinated COVID-19 Deaths	66%

 

Breakthrough Cases (cumulative since vaccinations began): 

• Total breakthrough cases: 16,469, or 2.84% of fully vaccinated individuals  
• Total breakthrough hospitalizations: 197 
• Total breakthrough deaths: 176 

  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. 

  COVID-19 Variant Cases in Delaware:   

Of the samples collected during the week of Dec. 31 – Jan. 6, the Omicron variant represented 94.5% of cases sequenced for a variant of concern, variant of interest, or variant being monitored. The remaining 5.5% of sequenced cases were identified as Delta. 

  As a reminder, DPH is now providing variant data based on sample collection date rather than sequencing date, due to the length of time between sample collection (when a person is tested) and when samples are sequenced by laboratories, which can be lagged by two weeks or longer. This will more accurately reflect the proportion of specific variants that are circulating in the community at various points in time. 

  The Delaware Public Health Laboratory and other laboratories regularly monitor for the presence of COVID-19 variants, including Delta and Omicron, through routine genomic sequencing of test specimens. Genome sequencing is a public health surveillance tool used to monitor the prevalence of COVID-19 variants; it is not used to diagnose individuals with a specific strain of COVID-19, as treatment recommendations do not differ based on variant strains. COVID-19 tests identify current infection of COVID-19, but do not identify a specific variant of the virus the individual might have. 

   Long-term Care Statistics:  

As of Thursday, Jan. 20, there have been a total of 3,040 positive COVID-19 cases involving long-term care residents, and 892 residents of Delaware long-term care facilities have died from complications related to COVID-19.  

  

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

January 14, 2022

 

MEDIA CONTACT:

Jonathan Starkey

Cell: (302) 256-8364

Jonathan.Starkey@delaware.gov  

Delaware Governor John Carney

Governor Carney Releases Second Revision to COVID-19 Emergency Order

Revision allows Division of Public Health (DPH) to approve alternatives to the mask mandate for professional and NCAA athletes

 

WILMINGTON, Del. – Governor John Carney on Friday signed a revision to the COVID-19 emergency order, allowing the Division of Public Health (DPH) to approve alternative mitigation measures in place of the mask mandate for professional and NCAA athletes.

 

COVID-19 mitigation plans, including the alternative mitigation measures, must be submitted to hspcontact@delaware.gov. Fans, staff, and other attendees of indoor sporting events must still comply with the public mask requirement to prevent the spread of COVID-19. 

 

Click here to read Governor Carney’s full State of Emergency Declaration. 

 

“This revision will allow competitions to move forward with a potential mask exemption only for professional and NCAA athletes,” said Governor Carney. “These organizations already have their own safety plans, which this revision recognizes. DPH will work closely with them to ensure they are protecting athletes and helping prevent the spread of this virus.” 

 

Businesses can download mask requirement signs at de.gov/bizsigns. 

Flu Update: 

There were 15 laboratory-confirmed cases reported the week of Jan. 9 – Jan. 15. As of Jan. 15, 2022, the most recent date for which flu statistics are available, there have been 595 laboratory-confirmed cases for the current season. The cases involved 414 individuals from New Castle County, 77 from Kent County and 104 from Sussex County. This number reflects only the number of lab-confirmed cases; 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 Apple 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.  

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

January 10, 2022

 

MEDIA CONTACT:

Jonathan Starkey

Cell: (302) 256-8364

Jonathan.Starkey@delaware.gov  

Delaware Governor John Carney

Governor Carney Signs Universal Indoor Mask Mandate

Public mask mandate takes effect at 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday; School mask requirement also extended; Additional members of the Delaware National Guard deployed to assist with non-clinical operations inside Delaware hospitals

 

WILMINGTON, Del. – Governor John Carney on Monday signed a revision to the State of Emergency declaration, requiring Delawareans to wear masks in indoor public settings, including convenience stores, grocery stores, gyms, restaurants, bars, hair salons, malls, and casinos.

 

The mask requirement takes effect at 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday, January 11. Also on Monday, Governor Carney ​announced plans to extend the school and child care facilities mask requirements, and deployed additional members of the Delaware National Guard to assist with non-clinical operations inside Delaware hospitals.  

 

Click here to read Monday’s revision to the State of Emergency.

 

Click here to read the full State of Emergency declaration.

 

“Our hospital systems are facing a crisis-level situation with record numbers of Delawareans seeking emergency care. We need all Delawareans in the fight as we face this winter surge of COVID-19 to make sure our hospitals are not overrun,” said Governor Carney. “I know we’re all exhausted by this pandemic. But at the level of hospitalizations we’re seeing, Delawareans who need emergency care might not be able to get it. That’s just a fact. It’s time for everyone to pitch in and do what works. Wear your mask indoors. Avoid gatherings or expect to get and spread COVID. Get your vaccine and, if eligible, get boosted. That’s how we’ll get through this surge without endangering more lives.” 

 

Governor Carney on Monday ​announced that the mask requirements in K-12 public and private schools and child care facilities, which had been set to expire in early February, will be extended. The extension will ensure that Delaware students can attend school in-person without consistent disruptions. 

 

Monday’s revision to the State of Emergency also eases State regulations ​to allow and incentivize recently-retired educators to return to the classroom as substitute teachers in an effort to keep children in school.  

 

Both the public and school mask requirements apply to anyone kindergarten age and older. Children aged 2-5 are strongly encouraged to wear masks in public indoor settings, including schools and child care facilities. Children under 2-years-old should not wear masks due to the risk of suffocation.  

 

Masks are not required outdoors or while eating or drinking in restaurants and bars, but otherwise should be worn. Churches and other houses of worship are exempted from the mask requirement.  

 

Businesses responsible for indoor settings open to the public are encouraged to provide disposable masks to customers who don’t have them - and to post signage about the indoor mask requirement. 

 

Click here for a downloadable sign for businesses. Additional signs will be available here.

 

Also on Monday, Governor Carney deployed 70 additional members of the Delaware National Guard to assist with non-clinical operations inside Delaware hospitals statewide, beginning Tuesday.  

 

In total, more than 300 members of the Delaware National Guard are assisting with COVID-19 response efforts - including support at vaccination and testing locations, help with PPE distribution, and hospital assistance. Roughly 110 members of the Guard - separate from the 70 members deployed on Monday - are training to serve as certified nursing assistants in health care settings statewide to take pressure off hospital systems.