WEEKLY COVID-19 UPDATE – FEBRUARY 11, 2022: 

GET BOOSTED: DPH URGES DELAWAREANS TO REINFORCE VACCINE PROTECTION AGAINST COVID-19 

 

DOVER, DE (February 11, 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 10, 2022. Over the past month, the state has seen a significant decrease in the average percentage of tests that are positive, declining from 32% on Jan. 11, 2022, to 10% on Feb. 10, 2022. The declining trends present a bright spot for the pandemic, however DPH continues to reinforce the importance of infection prevention and vaccination, particularly the role of boosters in providing increased protection against COVID-19. 

 

Between Jan. 31* and Feb. 6**, 82%*** of people who tested positive for COVID-19 in Delaware had not received a booster. The same was true for 81% hospitalized patients with COVID-19. A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) study from April to December of 2021 showed people who were not vaccinated had five times higher risk of getting COVID-19 than adults who had been fully vaccinated and received a booster. Another CDC study showed getting a booster reduces chance of needing to go the Emergency Room or be hospitalized by 94% compared to being unvaccinated. 

 

“We know that getting vaccinated and boosted is key to reducing the chance of getting sick,” said DPH Director Dr. Karyl Rattay. She adds “Boosters are effective and extremely important for preventing infections but, more importantly, hospitalizations and deaths. Unfortunately, we surpassed 2600 COVID-19 related deaths this week. We have lost more than 400 Delawareans since Thanksgiving, most who were not up to date with their vaccines." Booster vaccinations are available at any locations that offer the initial COVID-19 vaccine series. 

 

COVID-19 Cases and Hospitalizations: 

• Total positive cases since March 11, 2020: 253,010 
• 7-day average of new positive cases: 378.7, a decrease of 228 from last week. 
• 7-day average for the percentage of total positive tests: 10.2%, a decrease of 5.3 percentage points from last week 
• Hospitalizations: 202, a decrease of 120 from last week; critically ill: 21, a decrease of 15 from last week  
• Total COVID-19 deaths: 2,601 
• Total COVID-19 deaths reported since last week: 38, including 12 from a review of vital statistics records.   

    

COVID-19 Vaccinations:  

• Total number of doses administered in Delaware: 1,669,853 
• Percentage of Delawareans 5+ who are fully vaccinated (CDC data): 70.8% 
• Percentage of Delawareans 12+ who are fully vaccinated (CDC data): 75.4%  
• Percentage of Delawareans 18+ who are fully vaccinated (CDC data): 76.9% 
• Percent of Delawareans who are fully vaccinated (CDC data): 66.8%  

  

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.