DHSS Press Release

WEEKLY COVID-19 UPDATE - OCTOBER 1, 2021:
POSITIVE CASES AND HOSPITALIZATIONS STABILIZE

DOVER (OCTOBER 1, 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, September 30, 2021.

 

A total of 133,599 positive cases of COVID-19 among Delaware residents have been reported to DPH since March 11, 2020. The seven-day average of new positive cases decreased to 452.7 as of Thursday, September 30, 2021.

 

As of Tuesday, September 28, the seven-day average for the percentage of total tests that were positive was 7.5%, the same percentage as Tuesday, September 21. 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, 225 individuals are currently hospitalized due to COVID-19 in Delaware, the same number as last week. Thirty-five of the hospitalized persons are critically ill, a decrease of one from last week.

A total of 1,954 Delawareans have died due to complications from COVID-19. Twelve deaths were reported in the past week. The total number of individuals who have died from COVID-19 range in age from younger than 5 to 104 years old.

DPH Encourages Use of COVID-19 Testing Sites for Non-Emergency Testing:

Hospitals and Emergency Departments across the state are experiencing severe strain on their systems due to new COVID-19 cases. Unfortunately, visits by parents or guardians of children with a fever who are seeking a COVID-19 test and assessment, are contributing to that strain. Parents and guardians are encouraged to use COVID-19 testing sites and not hospital emergency departments for non-emergency situations. For a full list of testing sites visit de.gov/gettested.

COVID-19 Vaccinations:
According to data the CDC, 78.6% of Delawareans ages 18+ have received at least one dose of the vaccine. As of 12:01 a.m. October 1, 2021, a total of 1,172,798 administered doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been reported to the state's immunization information system, DelVAX. Among Delawareans 12+, 577,315 have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, and 528,466 Delawareans are fully vaccinated. Delaware's latest COVID-19 vaccination statistics can be found under the Vaccine Tracker dashboard at de.gov/healthycommunity.

The science is clear that the vaccines are extremely safe and effective and Delawareans who are fully vaccinated have significant protection from COVID-19 infection and serious illness. All qualifying Delawareans should get vaccinated. For the latest information on the COVID-19 vaccine and the vaccination rollout in Delaware, visit de.gov/getmyvaccine.

 

COVID-19 Case Vaccination Status Report:
The following report captures a weekly breakdown of vaccination status for cases, deaths, and hospitalizations for the time frame for September 20 - September 26. The report highlights the significant percentage of cases and hospitalized individuals in Delaware who are unvaccinated, or only partially vaccinated. Vaccination continues to be the most important factor in reducing deaths and hospitalizations from COVID-19.

Weekly Overview
(9/20 -9/26)
Unvaccinated Cases
Total Unvaccinated / Partially Vaccinated Cases 2490
Total Cases 3158
Percent of Unvaccinated / Partially Vaccinated Cases 79%
Hospitalizations
Unvaccinated / Partially Vaccinated Hospitalized Cases 106
Total Hospitalized Cases 131
Percent of Unvaccinated / Partially Vaccinated Hospitalized Cases 81%
Deaths
Unvaccinated / Partially Vaccinated COVID-19 Deaths 10
Total COVID-19 Deaths 13
Percent of Unvaccinated / Partially Vaccinated COVID-19 Deaths 77%

Breakthrough Cases:
To date, 528,466 Delawareans have been fully vaccinated. Of those, there have been 3,768 breakthrough cases of COVID-19, occurring in approximately seven-tenths of 1 percent of vaccinated individuals. Seventy of the reported breakthrough cases identified since vaccinations began involved hospitalizations and 44 individuals passed away, although it does not mean COVID-19 was the cause of death.

A breakthrough case is defined as testing positive for COVID-19 after an individual has been fully vaccinated for two weeks or more - although it does not mean that the infection occurred after vaccination.

Update on COVID-19 Variant Cases in Delaware:
In the last week, 182 test samples were sequenced through routine surveillance of test specimens. Of those test samples, 111 (61%) sequenced at the DPH Lab were positive for a variant strain, as were five additional specimens sequenced at an outside lab. All 116 variant positive samples were identified as the Delta strain.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently updated the classifications of known COVID-19 variants. Currently, the Delta variant is the only variant being monitored by the CDC as a "variant of concern" and no other variants are currently classified as "variants of interest."

 

For more information regarding CDC variant classifications, visit SARS-CoV-2 Variant Classifications and Definitions

DPH COVID-19 Vaccine Mobile Units:
DPH officials in partnership with medical staff from the Delaware National Guard (DNG) have launched mobile units to offer COVID-19 vaccines in underserved communities. With the official start of Flu Season, the flu vaccine will also be available and can be administered at the same time as the COVID-19 vaccine.

The mobile units, which utilize trailers to transport the vaccine and provide vaccinations, are scheduled to visit these communities in New Castle, Kent and Sussex counties next week. COVID-19 testing will be available at each location.

Monday, October 4
Dollar Tree, 2400 Northeast Boulevard, Wilmington, 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Tuesday, October 5
Carroll's Plaza, 1114 S. DuPont Highway, Dover, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Country Farms, 1014 S. Little Creek Road, Dover, 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. National Night Out Event, 1000 North Market Street, 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Wednesday, October 6
Wawa, 1450 Forest Street, Dover, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Adams Four Shopping Center, 800 W. Third St., Wilmington, 12:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Goodwill / Rodney Village, 1678 S. Governors Avenue, Dover 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Faith and Blue, 3601 North DuPont Highway, New Castle, 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Thursday, October 7
Seaford City Hall, 414 High Street, Seaford, 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Friday, October 8
New Mount Olive Baptist Church, 4412 Washington Boulevard, Wilmington, 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Saturday, October 9 Delaware State University, 3931 Kirkwood Highway, Wilmington, 11 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Father Tucker Park, 1801 West 9th Street, Wilmington, 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

*dates may be rescheduled if there is inclement weather

For a full list of community-based events statewide including those organized by vaccinating partners and community groups at de.gov/getmyvaccine.

Long-term Care Statistics:
As of 6:00 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 30, there have been a total of 2,897 positive COVID-19 cases involving long-term care residents, and 842 residents of Delaware long-term care facilities have died from complications related to COVID-19.

Symptoms and Testing:
It's especially important for unvaccinated persons to be aware of and self-monitor for the symptoms of COVID-19. DPH recommends that unvaccinated people get tested once a week. Even fully vaccinated persons should get tested if they develop symptoms or have been exposed to someone with COVID-19. 

 

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.

    

Individuals with general 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 delaware211@uwde.org. Hours of operation are:

 

Monday - Friday: 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Saturday: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Medically related questions regarding testing, symptoms, and health-related guidance can be submitted by email at DPHCall@delaware.gov.  

 

Delawareans 18 or older 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

 

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.

Delaware's Government

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