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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: October 23, 2020
DHSS-10-2020





WEEKLY COVID-19 UPDATE - OCTOBER 23, 2020: NEW DAILY CASES, HOSPITALIZATIONS REMAIN ELEVATED; DEATHS CONTINUE TO INCREASE


DOVER (Oct. 23, 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, October 22, 2020.

A total of 23,687 positive cases of COVID-19 among Delaware residents have been reported to DPH since March 11, 2020, including 12,493 individuals who are considered recovered. The number of new daily cases each day this week has remained elevated with the seven-day average of 137.3, as of Thursday, Oct. 22.

The seven-day average for the percentage of persons who tested positive for COVID-19 increased from 5.5% as of Oct. 15, to 6.9% as of Thursday, Oct. 22. DPH recently began publishing both positivity rates - persons tested and total tests conducted - on its COVID-19 data portal. As of Tuesday Oct. 20, the seven-day average for the percentage of total tests that were positive was 3.1%, up from 2.6% as of Oct. 13. There is a two-day lag for presenting data related to percent of tests that are positive to account for the time delay between the date of the test and the date that DPH receives the test result.

In addition, 106 individuals are currently hospitalized due to COVID-19 in Delaware an increase of two from the total as of last Friday's update. Twenty-five of the hospitalized persons are critically ill, down one from last week.

A total of 678 Delawareans have passed away due to complications from COVID-19. The state reported 16 additional deaths since last week's update, including three as a result of a review of Vital Statistics records. The total number of individuals who have died from COVID-19 ranges in age from 21 to 104 years old. Of those who have died, 354 were female and 324 were male. A total of 339 individuals were from New Castle County, 120 were from Kent County, and 219 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 Additional Walgreens Location Added to State's Permanent COVID-19 Testing Sites: As part of its partnership with the State of Delaware to provide consistent access to free COVID-19 testing statewide, the Walgreens Pharmacy located at 3301 Lancaster Pike Wilmington, DE 19805 will offer COVID-19 testing starting today, Oct. 23. This testing site will operate in the store, by appointment from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday. To reserve an appointment, visit https://www.picktime.com/DECOVID19test. Limited on-site registration will be available on an as-needed basis.

This new site is in addition to eight drive-through testing sites operated by Walgreens, as well as 11 other permanent testing sites - five State Service Center sites and six Public Health clinics - available throughout the state. Pop-up testing sites continue to be offered each week as well. The full list of testing locations, hours, and registration options are available on Delaware's COVID-19 website at de.gov/gettested.

CDC Releases MMWR on Use of COVID Mitigation Strategies During Delaware Primary Election: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released a report in today's MMWR examining the use of strategies to prevent the spread of COVID-19 during Delaware's statewide primary election: https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/69/wr/mm6943e2.htm?s_cid=mm6943e2_w. CDC collaborated with the Delaware Division of Public Health and Delaware State Election Commission on a survey of poll workers during the statewide primary election on September 15, 2020. This study evaluates the adoption of mitigation strategies by election officials, poll workers, and voters at polling locations as recommended in CDC's Interim Guidance ('Considerations for Election Polling Locations'). The study supports the feasibility of implementing current guidance and highlights gaps in implementation relevant to future elections, including the upcoming November general election. The survey found widespread adoption of most COVID-19 mitigation measures recommended for poll workers and voters, including wearing masks, frequent use of hand sanitizer, frequent sanitizing of high-touch surfaces and equipment, and staying at least 6 feet apart. Voters and election workers are encouraged to wear face masks that cover their noses and mouths, wash their hands frequently or use a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol, stay at least 6 feet apart from others, and wipe down frequently touched surfaces to prevent the spread of the virus that causes COVID-19.

Update on COVID-19 Outbreaks in Long-term Care Facilities:
The Division of Public Health continues to investigate COVID-19 outbreaks in long-term care facilities throughout the state. Facilities where significant ongoing outbreaks are occurring, as of Oct. 22, 2020:

*Staff members may include health care and non-health care personnel, such as facility vendors or other individuals working in the long-term care facility who may not be full-time facility employees.

Delaware COVID-19 Data:
The latest Delaware COVID-19 case statistics* cumulatively since March 11, provided as of 6 p.m. Thursday, October 22, 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.

Aggregate K-12 School-Related COVID-19 Statistics:
The Division of Public Health is providing statewide aggregate data on the total number of COVID-19 positive cases among students and staff who were in-person at a school or child care facility while potentially infectious, reported to DPH since Sept. 1, 2020. To determine the start of the infectious period, or when others may have been exposed to someone infectious, DPH looks 48 hours prior to the onset of symptoms or 48 hours prior to testing for those individuals who had no symptoms. These data only indicate potential exposure to COVID-19 in these settings, not whether exposure actually occurred.

Cumulative number of COVID-19 positive students and staff, statewide, who were in-person at a school or child care facility while potentially infectious, reported to DPH between Sept. 1, 2020, and Oct. 23, 2020:

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 1,457 positive COVID-19 cases cumulatively involving long-term care residents, and 395 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/coronaviru

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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