DHSS Press Release

COVID-19 UPDATE FOR MAY 19, 2020: DPH ANNOUNCES 168 ADDITIONAL POSITIVE CASES; 7 NEW DEATHS; 215 ADDITIONAL RECOVERED

SMYRNA (May 19, 2020) - The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) is announcing seven additional fatalities related to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and is providing an update on the number of positive cases and recovered individuals. All data reported through the daily updates are based on data received as of 6 p.m. the previous day.

In total, 304 Delawareans have passed away due to complications from COVID-19. Individuals who have died from COVID-19 ranged in age from 21 to 103 years old. Of those who have died, 158 were females and 146 were males. A total of 135 individuals were from New Castle County, 53 were from Kent County, 115 were from Sussex County, and one individual's county of residence is unknown at this time.

The most recent deaths announced today ranged in age from 38 to 94. Three were female and four were male. Five were New Castle County residents, one was a Kent County resident, and one was a Sussex County resident. Six of the individuals had underlying health conditions. Five of the individuals were residents of long-term care facilities.

To protect personal health information, DPH will not confirm specific information about any individual case, even if other persons or entities disclose it independently.

The latest Delaware COVID-19 case statistics* cumulatively since March 11, provided as of 6 p.m., Monday, May 18, include:

• 8,037 total positive cases
• New Castle County cases: 2,845
• Kent County cases: 1,238
• Sussex County cases: 3,904
• Unknown County: 50
• Females: 4,407; Males: 3,602; Unknown: 28
• Age range: 0 to 103
• Currently hospitalized: 236; Critically ill: 40 (This data represents individuals currently hospitalized in a Delaware hospital regardless of residence, and is not cumulative.)
• Delawareans recovered: 3,760
• 36,095 negative cases**

*Data are provisional and subject to change.
**Data on negative cases are preliminary, based on negative results reported to DPH by state and commercial laboratories performing analysis.

Additional demographic data on COVID-19 cases and deaths, including race/ethnicity, more age-specific data and rates information by ZIP code, can be found on the Division of Public Health's My Healthy Community data portal.

Significant statewide expansion of the state's COVID-19 testing program, in partnership with Delaware's hospital systems, community health care centers, primary care providers, and long-term care facilities will allow the State of Delaware to conduct 80,000 tests monthly.

The State of Delaware will be holding two drive-thru saliva-based COVID-19 testing events this week. Prior to attending, watch the following videos available in English and Spanish to learn about how to perform the test, in English: de.gov/testing, in Spanish: de.gov/pruebas. Please do not eat, drink, or brush your teeth 20 minutes prior to this viral test. Pre-registration at the below links is strongly encouraged.

Thursday, May 21 - Middletown High School
10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Middletown High School, 120 Silver Lake Road, Middletown. Pre-register at delaware.curativeinc.com to reserve your place and reduce wait time. Limited on-site registration will be available.

Sunday, May 24 - Dover DMV
10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, May 24, at the Dover DMV, 303 Transportation Circle, Dover. Pre-register at delaware.curativeinc.com to reserve your place and reduce wait time. Limited on-site registration will be available.

As additional testing sites are scheduled, more information will be provided on the testing section of the Delaware coronavirus website at: https://coronavirus.delaware.gov/testing/.

Delaware is considering patients fully recovered seven days after the resolution of their symptoms. Three days after symptoms resolve, patients are no longer required to self-isolate at home; however, they must continue to practice strict social distancing for the remaining four days before returning to their normal daily routine.

If you are sick with any of the following symptoms,stay home fever, cough, shortness of breath, sore throat,muscle fatigue,or digestive symptoms such as vomiting,diarrhea, abdominal pain or lack of appetite.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.

If you think 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 - might be at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19.

Significant statewide expansion of the state's COVID-19 testing program, in partnership with Delaware's hospital systems, community health care centers, primary care providers, and long-term care facilities will allow the State of Delaware to conduct 80,000 tests monthly. As additional testing sites are scheduled, more information will be provided on the testing section of the Delaware coronavirus website at: https://coronavirus.delaware.gov/testing/.

The hospital systems in Delaware continue to offer testing through standing health facility testing sites. These testing sites require a physician's order or prescription to be tested (*Bayhealth patients will be pre-screened via phone without needing to see a provider first). These are not walk-in testing sites. Those without a primary care provider can call the DPH Call Center Line at 1-866-408-1899. In New Castle County, individuals can call ChristianaCare at 1-302-733-1000 and Sussex County residents who do not have a provider can call the Beebe COVID-19 Screening Line at 302-645-3200. Individuals awaiting test results should wait to hear back from their medical provider. The DPH Call Center does not have test results.

Anyone with a question about COVID-19, whether related to medical or social service needs, should call Delaware 2-1-1, or email info@delaware211.org. Individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing can text their ZIP code to 898-211. Hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Medical-related questions related to testing, symptoms, and health-related guidance can also be submitted by email at DPHCall@delaware.gov.

People who have complaints about out-of-state individuals violating the Governor's State of Emergency Order, or violating the public gathering restrictions, should contact state or local law enforcement. Questions or complaints about business operations should be directed to: Business@delaware.gov. Questions regarding unemployment claims should be emailed to: UIClaims@delaware.gov .

In addition, the Division of Public Health asks any Delaware health care, long-term care, residential, or other high-risk facility with questions or concerns to email DPH_PAC@delaware.gov or call the DPH Call Center at 1-866-408-1899 and press ext. 2.

Questions can also be submitted by email at 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.

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.

Delaware's Government

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