DHSS Press Release

WEEKLY COVID-19 UPDATE - OCTOBER 22, 2021:
COVID-19 CASES AND HOSPITALIZATIONS CONTINUE STEADY DOWNWARD TREND

DOVER (OCT. 22, 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. 21, 2021.

• Total positive cases since March 11, 2020: 141,717
• 7-day average of new positive cases: 333.4, a decrease from 389.4 last week
• 7-day average for the percentage of total positive tests: 7%, a decrease from 8% last week
• Hospitalizations: 173, a decrease of 34 from last week; Critically ill: 24, a decrease of six from last week
• Total COVID-19 deaths: 2,045
• Total COVID-19 deaths since last week: 24

COVID-19 Vaccinations:

• Total number of doses administered in Delaware: 1,237,206
• Percentage of Delawareans 12+ who have received at least one dose (CDC data): 79.2%
• Percentage of Delawareans 18+ who received at least one dose (CDC data): 81%
• Delawareans who are fully vaccinated: 528,767

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.

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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. 11 - Oct 17. The report highlights the significant percentage of cases and hospitalized individuals in Delaware who are unvaccinated, or only partially vaccinated.

Weekly Overview (10/11 - 10/17)	# of Cases
Total Unvaccinated / Partially Vaccinated	1898
Total	2502
Percent of Unvaccinated / Partially Vaccinated	76%

Hospitalizations	# of Cases
Unvaccinated / Partially Vaccinated Hospitalized	98
Total Hospitalized	125
Percent of Unvaccinated / Partially Vaccinated Hospitalized	78%

Deaths	# of Cases
Unvaccinated / Partially Vaccinated Covid-19 Deaths	7
Total Covid-19 deaths	13
Percent of Unvaccinated / Partially Vaccinated Covid-19 Deaths	54%

Breakthrough Cases:

• Fully vaccinated Delawareans: 528,767
• Total breakthrough cases: 5,138 or 1% of vaccinated individuals
• Total breakthrough hospitalizations: 97
• Total breakthrough deaths: 73

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, 359 test samples were sequenced through routine surveillance of test specimens. Of those test samples, 263 (73.3%) sequenced at the DPH Lab were positive for a variant strain, as were 24 additional specimens sequenced at an outside lab. Out of the 287 variant positive samples, all 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 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.

Monday, October 25
Philadelphia Pentecostal Holiness Church, 13724 S. Old Stage Road,
Ellendale, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Tuesday, October 26
Emerald City Wash World, 730 W. Division Street, Dover, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Wawa, 1450 Forrest Avenue, Dover, 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
3007 Governor Printz Blvd, Wilmington, 11:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Wednesday, October 27
Dover Downs, 1131 N Dupont Hwy, Dover, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Wilmington Farmers Market, 1000 North 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 28
Seaford City Hall, 414 High Street, Seaford, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Friday, October 29
Nylon Plaza Shopping Center, 800 Atlanta Road, Seaford, 10:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
634 South Maryland Avenue, Wilmington, 10:00 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.

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Long-term Care Statistics:

As of 6:00 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 21, there have been a total of 2,914 positive COVID-19 cases involving long-term care residents, and 852 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

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.

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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