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Molly Magarik, Secretary
Jill Fredel, Director of Communications
302-255-9047, Cell 302-357-7498
Email: DPHMedia@Delaware.gov
Date: January 8, 2021
DHSS-1-2021
DPH ANNOUNCES FIRST PEDIATRIC COVID-19 DEATH IN DELAWARE
DOVER (Jan. 8, 2021) - 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, January 7, 2021.
DPH is reporting the state's first COVID-19 related death of a child since the start of the pandemic. The death involves a child under the age of 5 from New Castle County who had a significant number of co-morbidities. Additional details about the individual will not be provided to protect patient privacy.
"While each life lost as a result of this virus is tragic, the loss of a child is felt across our entire community," said DPH Director Dr. Karyl Rattay. "We send our deepest condolences to this child's family and all of those who have lost a loved one during this pandemic. We are urging everyone in our state to come together, take this current winter surge seriously, remain vigilant about mitigation measures, and keep each other safe."
A total of 957 Delawareans have passed away due to complications from COVID-19. The state reported 31 additional deaths since last week's update. The total number of individuals who have died from COVID-19 ranges in age from younger than 5 to 104 years old. Of those who have died, 487 were female and 470 were male. A total of 476 individuals were from New Castle County, 171 were from Kent County, and 310 were from Sussex County.
A total of 63,503 positive cases of COVID-19 among Delaware residents have been reported to DPH since March 11, 2020. A record number of new positive cases (1,241 positive cases) were reported on Wednesday this week, and the seven-day average increased to 778.6 as of Thursday, Jan. 7.
The seven-day average for the percentage of persons who tested positive for COVID-19 as of Thursday, Jan. 7 was 27.3%, an increase from 25.1% as of Thursday, Dec. 31. DPH publishes both positivity rates - persons tested and total tests conducted - on its COVID-19 data portal. As of Tuesday, Jan. 5, the seven-day average for the percentage of total tests that were positive was 10.4%, an increase from 9.1% as of Tuesday, Dec. 29. 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, 451 individuals are currently hospitalized due to COVID-19 in Delaware, an increase of 39 as of last Thursday. Fifty-nine of the hospitalized persons are critically ill, up one from last week.
As of midnight, Thursday, Jan. 7, 21,814 administered doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been reported to the state's immunization information system, DelVAX. Delaware's latest COVID-19 vaccination statistics can be found under the Vaccine Tracker dashboard at de.gov/healthycommunity. Additional information about COVID-19 vaccine rollout is available at de.gov/covidvaccine. Questions can be directed to the Vaccine Call Center at 1-833-643-1715. People who are deaf and hard of hearing should call 2-1-1 or text their ZIP code to 898-211. Individuals can email their questions concerning the vaccine to Vaccine@Delaware.gov.
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. The following facilities have experienced significant outbreaks since late September. Resident and staff tallies represent cumulative case totals between Sept. 25, 2020, and Jan. 7, 2020, and may not represent the number of active cases at each facility at this particular point in time:
*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. Facilities listed represent those that have had a cumulative total of more than 10 cases among residents and more than 10 cases among staff to date since the beginning of the outbreak monitoring period, Sept. 25, 2020. As facility outbreak investigations close, they will be removed from this list.
Long-term Care Statistics:
As of 6 p.m. Thursday, January 7, there have been a total of 1,980 positive COVID-19 cases cumulatively involving long-term care residents, and 512 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:
Aggregate K-12 School-Related COVID-19 Statistics:
On Tuesday, Jan. 5, the Division of Public Health launched a new, schools-focused COVID-19 dashboard on its COVID-19 data portal. The dashboard tracks the number of contagious cases among staff and students of Delaware schools, and offer a more detailed picture of COVID-19 infection in school buildings. The new dashboard can be found at myhealthycommunity.dhss.delaware.gov/locations/state/in-person-contagious.
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.
DPH reminds Delawareans that 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, permanent fixed 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 de.gov/gettested.
Delawareans over the age of 18 are encouraged to download COVID Alert DE, Delaware's free exposure notification app to help protect your neighbors while ensuring your privacy. Download on the App Store or Google Play.
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.
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. Questions regarding unemployment claims should be emailed to:UIClaims@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.
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