DHSS Press Release

WEEKLY COVID-19 UPDATE - OCTOBER 15, 2021:
Covid-19 cases and hospitalizations declining

DOVER (OCT. 15, 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, Oct. 14, 2021.

 

• Total positive cases since March 11, 2020: 139,380
• 7-day average of new positive cases: 391.6, a decrease from 445.7 last week
• 7-day average for the percentage of total positive tests: 8.2%, an increase from 7.8% last week
• Hospitalizations: 207, a decrease of 27 from last week; Critically ill: 30, a decrease of two from last week
• Total COVID-19 deaths: 2,021
• Total COVID-19 deaths since last week: 24, including 7 from a review of vital statistic records.

COVID-19 Vaccinations:

• Total number of doses administered in Delaware: 1,216,916
• Percentage of Delawareans 12+ who have received at least one dose (CDC data): 78.5%
• Percentage of Delawareans 18+ who received at least one dose (CDC data): 80.2%
• Delawareans who are fully vaccinated: 524,838 **

** The total number of fully vaccinated Delawareans, according to DelVAX, shows a decrease this week due to a technical error where booster doses were inadvertently added to this category. This issue has been rectified.

Delawareans who are fully vaccinated have significant protection from COVID-19 infection, serious illness and death. All qualifying Delawareans should get vaccinated. For the latest information on the COVID-19 vaccine in Delaware, visit de.gov/getmyvaccine. Delaware's latest COVID-19 vaccination statistics can be found under the Vaccine Tracker dashboard at de.gov/healthycommunity.

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 Oct. 4 - Oct 10. The report highlights the significant percentage of cases and hospitalized individuals in Delaware who are unvaccinated, or only partially vaccinated.

Weekly Overview (10/4 - 10/10)	# of Cases
Total Unvaccinated / Partially Vaccinated	2300
Total	2975
Percent of Unvaccinated / Partially Vaccinated	77%

Hospitalizations	# of Cases
Unvaccinated / Partially Vaccinated Hospitalized	71
Total Hospitalized	96
Percent of Unvaccinated / Partially Vaccinated Hospitalized	74%

Deaths	# of Cases
Unvaccinated / Partially Vaccinated Covid-19 Deaths	14
Total Covid-19 deaths	19
Percent of Unvaccinated / Partially Vaccinated Covid-19 Deaths	74%

Breakthrough Cases (cumulative since vaccinations began):

• Fully vaccinated Delawareans: 524,838
• Total breakthrough cases: 4,683 or 9/10 of 1% of vaccinated individuals
• Total breakthrough hospitalizations: 85
• Total breakthrough deaths: 59

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.

COVID-19 Variant Cases in Delaware:

In the last week, 368 test samples were sequenced through routine surveillance of test specimens. Of those test samples, 246 (66.8%) sequenced at the DPH Lab were positive for a variant strain, as were eight additional specimens sequenced at an outside lab. Out of the 254 variant positive samples, all but one was 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 https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/cases-updates/variant-surveillance/variant-info.html

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.

Tuesday, October 19
Spence's Bazaar, 550 S. New Street, Dover, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Shoppes at Hamlet, 1015 Walker Road, Dover, 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Wednesday, October 20
Wawa, 2800 N. DuPont Hwy, Dover, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Edgehill Shopping Center, 43 S. Dupont Hwy, Dover, 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Wilmington Farmers Market, 1000 N. Market Street, Wilmington, 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Adams Four Shopping Center, 800 West 3rd Street, Wilmington, 3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Thursday, October 21
Simmons Food/Simmons Feed Ingredients, 7494 Federalsburg Road, Bridgeville, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Impact Life Job Fair, 6 North Clifton Avenue, Wilmington, 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Friday, October 22
12th and Northeast Boulevard - near Family Dollar Store, Wilmington, 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 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, Oct. 14, there have been a total of 2,903 positive COVID-19 cases involving long-term care residents, and 849 residents of Delaware long-term care facilities have died from complications related to COVID-19.

    

Resources:

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

DPH will continue to update the public as more information becomes available. For the latest on Delaware's response, go to de.gov/coronavirus.

Anyone who is deaf, hard of hearing, Deaf-Blind or speech disabled can contact DPH by dialing 711 first using specialized devices (i.e. TTY, TeleBraille, voice devices). The 711 service is free and to learn more about how it works, please visit delawarerelay.com.

DPH, a division of DHSS, urges Delawareans to make healthier choices with the 5-2-1 Almost None campaign: eat 5 or more fruits and vegetables each day, have no more than 2 hours of recreational screen time each day (includes TV, computer, gaming), get 1 or more hours of physical activity each day, and drink almost no sugary beverages.

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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