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Molly Magarik, Secretary
Jill Fredel, Director of Communications
302-255-9047, Cell 302-357-7498
Email: DPHMedia@Delaware.gov
Date: September 4, 2020
DHSS-9-2020
DOVER (Sept. 4, 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, September 3, 2020.
A total of 17,752 positive cases of COVID-19 among Delaware residents have been reported to DPH since March 11, 2020, including 9,582 individuals who are considered recovered. The seven-day average for the percentage of persons who tested positive for COVID-19 increased slightly from 4.4% as of August 27, to 4.6% as of Thursday, Sept. 3. In addition, 58 individuals are currently hospitalized due to COVID-19 in Delaware, up one from 57 reported as of last Friday's update. Twelve of the hospitalized persons are critically ill, the same number of critically ill patients as last week.
A total of 606 Delawareans have passed away due to complications from COVID-19. The state reported two 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, 319 were female and 287 were male. A total of 301 individuals were from New Castle County, 110 were from Kent County, and 195 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: COVID Positive Cases at DPC: Two clients and eight staff members at the Department of Health and Social Services' Delaware Psychiatric Center have tested positive for COVID-19 since Aug. 24. The first person to test positive on Aug. 24 is now recovered. The clients are isolated at DPC to decrease the spread of the virus and the staff are isolated at home. All clients, family members and staff have been notified. DPC has halted all reopening procedures and reverted to COVID Standard Operating Procedures, including no visitors or non-essential personnel allowed into the building. The Division of Public Health is actively involved and completing the case investigations. The Delaware Psychiatric Center is following the Division of Public Health's recommendations for weekly COVID testing of all staff and patients for at least the next two weeks.
Data Quality Review: To ensure the highest quality of data, the Division of Public Health's epidemiology team regularly performs data quality audits of the state's COVID-19 case records. DPH recently identified a technical issue that caused approximately 175-200 historical positive cases to be omitted from the state's cumulative positive case count. All of these cases were processed through the state's contact tracing program, however, they were not captured in the state's statistical reporting on the COVID-19 data website. The technical issue identified has been resolved and should not impact future case totals. As DPH works to add these cases to the state's tallies to most accurately reflect Delaware's total positive case count, the public may notice an increase in the cumulative number of positive cases displayed on the My Healthy Community data portal over the weekend and early next week.
As a reminder, members of the media and the general public are highly encouraged to view the data presented in the "New Positive Cases" graph on the My Healthy Community dashboard for the latest data on new infections reported each day, and the most accurate data trends based on the date cases are reported to DPH.
Delaware COVID-19 data: The latest Delaware COVID-19 case statistics* cumulatively since March 11, provided as of 6 p.m. Thursday, September 3, 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 1,230 positive COVID-19 cases cumulatively involving long-term care residents, and 368 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, and information on Delaware's contact tracing efforts can be found on the Division of Public Health's My Healthy Community data portal atde.gov/healthycommunity
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, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea, or headache or congestion or runny nose without a known cause such as allergies. Other symptoms such as abdominal pain or lack of appetite have been identified as potential symptoms related to COVID-19 and may prompt further screening, action or investigation by a primary care provider. 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, individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing can text their ZIP code to 898-211, or email info@delaware211.org. 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/
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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