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DHSS Press Release



Molly Magarik, Secretary
Jill Fredel, Director of Communications
302-255-9047, Cell 302-357-7498
Email: DPHMedia@Delaware.gov

Date: August 7, 2020
DHSS-8-2020





WEEKLY COVID-19 UPDATE - AUGUST 7, 2020 DELAWARE CASES, RECOVERIES AND DEATHS REMAIN STEADY; HOSPITALIZATIONS CONTINUE TO DECLINE


DOVER (Aug. 7, 2020) - 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 6 p.m. Thursday, August 6, 2020.

A total of 15,445 positive cases of COVID-19 among Delaware residents have been reported to DPH since March 11, 2020, including 8,392 individuals who are considered recovered. The seven-day average for the percentage of persons who tested positive for COVID-19 increased slightly from 4.2% as of July 30 to 4.4% as of Thursday, Aug. 6. In addition, 37 individuals are currently hospitalized due to COVID-19 in Delaware down from 46 reported as of last Friday's update. Fifteen of the hospitalized persons are critically ill.

A total of 588 Delawareans have passed away due to complications from COVID-19. The state reported three additional deaths since last week's update. The total number of individuals who have died from COVID-19 ranged in age from 21 to 104 years old. Of those who have died, 313 were females and 275 were males. A total of 289 individuals were from New Castle County, 107 were from Kent County, and 192 were from Sussex County.

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

Additional Updates:
New Data Dashboards Added to My Healthy Community: The Division of Public Health added two new data dashboards to its My Healthy Community data portal this week. A contact tracing data dashboard is now available on the site, which provides statistics since the launch of Delaware's new contact tracing program in late June. Available data include the total number of interviews completed among COVID-19 positive patients, total number of contacts named and reached, total number of contacts that are known to have tested positive, and more. To view this dashboard, visit: https://myhealthycommunity.dhss.delaware.gov/locations/state/coronavirus-mitigation#mitigation-contact-tracing

In addition, DPH also has added a dashboard to the website that displays the most current school-reopening planning scenario and the latest reopening criteria metrics, which are updated weekly. This dashboard, which is located under the overview section of the My Healthy Community data portal, allows parents, teachers, students and school administrators to track the latest data related to these measures.

Delaware COVID-19 data: The latest Delaware COVID-19 case statistics* cumulatively since March 11, provided as of 6 p.m., Thursday, August 6, include:

*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.

Generally, Delaware is now considering patients recovered after at least 24 hours have passed since the resolution of fever without the use of fever-reducing medications and/or improvement in symptoms, and at least 10 days have passed since symptoms first appeared. Individuals who tested positive who have not had any symptoms are considered recovered after at least 10 days have passed since the date of their first positive COVID-19 test with no subsequent illness.

Long-term Care Statistics:
Information related to positive cases and deaths among residents at long-term care facilities will be updated weekly each Friday, using information reported as of 6 p.m. Thursday. There have been a total of 1,204 positive COVID-19 cases cumulatively involving long-term care residents, and 362 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:

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.

If you are sick with any of the following symptoms, stay home: fever, cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, muscle aches, fatigue, chills, shaking with chills, loss of smell or taste. Other symptoms such as headache or digestive symptoms (vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain or lack of appetite) have been identified as potential symptoms related to COVID-19 and may prompt further screening, action or investigation. 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 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 and free-standing sites operated by the health care systems and hospitals, will be listed on the testing section of the Delaware coronavirus website at: coronavirus.delaware.gov/testing/.

Individuals who have complaints about individuals violating public gathering restrictions should contact state or local law enforcement. Concerns that a business may be violating operating restrictions should be directed to: HSPContact@delaware.gov. Questions related to business re-openings or operations as businesses re-open should go to COVID19FAQ@delaware.gov.

Individuals with questions about COVID-19 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 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Monday through Friday; 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Medically related questions regarding testing, symptoms, and health-related guidance can be submitted by email at DPHCall@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.

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.







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