DHSS Press Release

WEEKLY COVID-19 UPDATE - NOVEMBER 19, 2021:
NEW POSITIVE CASES CONTINUE UPDWARD TREND; HOSPITALIZATIONS, DEATHS ALSO INCREASE

DOVER (NOV. 19, 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, Nov. 18, 2021.

• Total positive cases since March 11, 2020: 149,566
• 7-day average of new positive cases: 336.7, an increase from 271.9 last week
• 7-day average for the percentage of total positive tests: 7.4%, an increase from 5.4% last week
• Hospitalizations: 163, an increase of 13 from last week; critically ill: 21, an increase of three from last week
• Total COVID-19 deaths: 2,154
• Total COVID-19 deaths reported since last week: 29, including 20 from a review of vital statistics records.

COVID-19 Vaccinations:

Total number of doses administered in Delaware: 1,364,340

Percentage of Delawareans 12+ who have received at least one dose (CDC data): 82%

Percentage of Delawareans 18+ who received at least one dose (CDC data): 83.9%

Percent of Delawareans who are fully vaccinated (CDC data): 60.9%

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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Expanded Eligibility for Vaccine Boosters:

Following action by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) advisory panel today, DPH is encouraging all fully vaccinated Delawareans 18 and older to get a booster dose of Pfizer, Moderna or Johnson & Johnson (J&J) COVID-19 vaccines.

On Friday, the FDA expanded booster dose eligibility to all adults 18 and older, who were originally fully vaccinated with either the Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccines at least 6 months prior. The CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices subsequently voted to recommend expanding booster eligibility to align with the FDA's authorization. Originally, eligibility was limited to individuals 65 and older and those 18-64 with underlying health conditions or occupational or residential risks of exposure to COVID-19. Booster doses were already approved for anyone who initially received J&J, 2 months after their original vaccine.

Thanksgiving COVID-19 Vaccination and Testing Closures:

All Public Health Clinics that offer COVID-19 vaccination will be closed Nov. 25 and Nov. 26 in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday. Additionally, the clinics and participating Walgreens will be closed for COVID-19 testing starting Wednesday, Nov. 24.

While DPH standing vaccine sites at the Blue Hen Corporate Center in Dover, Canby Park in Wilmington, Georgetown Plaza in Sussex County and Oxford/University Plaza in Newark will be closed for vaccinations, the sites will be open for Curative COVID-19 testing on Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Friday-Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visit de.gov/gettested to schedule your appointment. Other testing and vaccine sites may be open. Visit de.gov/getmyvaccine. for a list of vaccine locations.

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 Nov. 8 - Nov 14. The report highlights the significant percentage of unvaccinated or only partially vaccinated individuals comprising Delaware's cases and hospitalizations.

Weekly Overview (10/18 - 10/24)	# of Cases
Total Unvaccinated / Partially Vaccinated	1444
Total	1990
Percent of Unvaccinated / Partially Vaccinated	73%

Hospitalizations	# of Cases
Unvaccinated / Partially Vaccinated Hospitalized	55
Total Hospitalized	78
Percent of Unvaccinated / Partially Vaccinated Hospitalized	71%

Deaths	# of Cases
Unvaccinated / Partially Vaccinated Covid-19 Deaths	9
Total Covid-19 deaths	10
Percent of Unvaccinated / Partially Vaccinated Covid-19 Deaths	90%

Breakthrough Cases (cumulative since vaccinations began):

• Total breakthrough cases: 6,673 or 1.2% of fully vaccinated individuals
• Total breakthrough hospitalizations: 120
• Total breakthrough deaths: 88

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, 543 test samples were sequenced through routine surveillance of test specimens. Of those test samples, 264 (48.6%) sequenced at the DPH Lab were positive for a variant strain, as were 10 additional specimens sequenced at an outside lab. Out of the 274 variant positive samples, all were identified as the Delta strain.

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.

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. The mobile units will not operate on Thursday, Nov. 25, and Friday, Nov. 26. Starting Monday, Nov. 22, the mobile units in New Castle County will travel through specific neighborhoods and a community intervention team will canvas door to door to offer vaccination and testing services to residents.

Monday, November 22
Wilmington's East Side neighborhood, starting at 10th and Bennett streets, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Bethel Market, 7743 Main St., Bethel, 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Wawa, 38711 Sussex Hwy., Delmar, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Wawa, 902 N. Dupont Blvd., Milford, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Capital Inn, 1426 N. Dupont Hwy., Dover, 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Tuesday, November 23
Wilmington's Northside neighborhood, starting at North Claymont Street, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
St. Johns United Methodist Church, 300 N. Pine St., Seaford, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Linkside Apartments, 35 Flagstick Lane, Magnolia, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Magnolia Crossing, 79 McKinley Circle, 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Wednesday, November 24
Wilmington's West Center City neighborhood, starting at Fifth and Madison streets, 10:00 a.m. to 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.

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Long-term Care Statistics:

As of 6:00 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 18, there have been a total of 2,961 positive COVID-19 cases involving long-term care residents, and 862 residents of Delaware long-term care facilities have died from complications related to COVID-19.

Flu Update:

As of Nov. 13, 2021, the most recent date for which flu statistics are available, there have been seven laboratory-confirmed cases of the flu in Delaware for the current season. The cases involved two individuals from New Castle County, two from Kent County and three from Sussex County. This number reflects only the number of lab-confirmed cases; the actual number of cases circulating statewide is likely higher as not all people with the flu seek treatment, and many cases are diagnosed through rapid test kits in a provider's office versus a lab.

Flu vaccines are available at pharmacies (including those in grocery stores), participating medical provider offices, Federally Qualified Health Centers (for their patients), as well as Division of Public Health clinics. DPH is also advising the public that the flu vaccine can be administered at the same time as the COVID-19 vaccine.

For the latest information on the flu in Delaware, visit flu.delaware.gov.

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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