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DHSS Press Release

Dr. Kara Odom Walker, Secretary
Jill Fredel, Director of Communications
302-255-9047, Cell 302-357-7498
Email: DPHMedia@Delaware.gov

Date: June 1, 2020
DHSS-6-2020

STATE TO BEGIN CORONAVIRUS TESTING AT WILMINGTON HIGH-RISE BUILDINGS ON JUNE 2

NEW CASTLE (June 1, 2020) - As a way to reach vulnerable populations, the State of Delaware will begin coronavirus testing at 10 Wilmington high-rise buildings on Tuesday, June 2, with the bulk of the testing being conducted by the Division of Public Health starting Wednesday, June 3.

On Tuesday, June 2, the State, in partnership with the Wilmington Housing Authority, Westside Family Healthcare and the Saint Francis LIFE Center will provide viral tests to seniors from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and distribute care kits and educational materials at Baynard Apartments, 309 W. 18th St.

Then beginning on Wednesday, June 3, 20-person teams, including members of Delaware's Medical Reserve Corps and the Delaware Association of Physician Assistants, will go door-to-door at a total of nine high-rise buildings over three separate days. At each location, there will be a Division of Public Health lead. The medical providers will bring nasal swab testing to people who typically may not be able to leave their homes.

This testing is being done in partnership with the City of Wilmington, the Delaware Medical Reserve Corps, the Delaware Emergency Management Agency and the Delaware Association of Physician Assistants.

"We know that seniors and low-income communities in our state are experiencing disproportionate rates of coronavirus infection," said Dr. Kara Odom Walker, Secretary of the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS), and a practicing family physician. "Meeting communities where they are through this targeted testing in Wilmington's high-rises will help us identify individuals who are positive for COVID-19, provide them with the supports and resources they need to isolate from others, and, ultimately, slow the transmission of this disease."

"From the start of this health crisis, Wilmington City Council has been expressing the need for more testing locations here in the city for our most vulnerable populations," said Wilmington City Council President Hanifa Shabazz. "I am so glad that we have been able to work with partners to provide this much-needed service."

The schedule for the Division of Public Health testing is:

Wednesday, June 3: Terry Apartments, 2400 N. Broom St.; Park View Apartments, 1800 N. Broom St.; and Compton Towers/Apartments, 325 E. Fifth St.
Thursday, June 4: Windsor Apartments, 500 N. Walnut St.; Ingleside Apartments, 1005 N. Franklin St.; and Luther Towners II, 1420 N. Franklin St.
Monday, June 8: Luther Towers I, 1201 N. Harrison St.; Lincoln Towers, 1800 N. DuPont St.; and The Antonian, 1701 W. 10th St.

On May 8, Governor John Carney announced a significant statewide expansion of Delaware's community-based testing program, conducting 80,000 tests per month. The State of Delaware is prioritizing testing under the program for:

Any symptomatic individual.
Anyone with known exposure to COVID-19.
Vulnerable Delaware populations, including elderly Delawareans and members of low-income communities.
Certain front-line essential workers.

For more information on Delaware's testing program, including a testing calendar, go to: https://coronavirus.delaware.gov/testing/.

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.

STATE TO BEGIN CORONAVIRUS TESTING AT WILMINGTON HIGH-RISE BUILDINGS ON JUNE 2

Delaware's Government