DHSS Press Release

COVID-19 UPDATE - APRIL 22, 2022:
DPH REPORTS INCREASE IN COVID-19 CASES, HOSPITALIZATIONS; RATES REMAIN LOW COMPARED TO WINTER SURGE

DOVER, DE (April 22, 2022) - The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) is providing an update on case and vaccination data since the last COVID-19 update released on March 25, 2022. While Delaware is experiencing a rise in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations, both remain significantly lower than during the winter surge. Deaths are also low overall. Over the last month, DPH announced its first Test-to-Treat center in Newark, on April 14, 2022, and distributed approximately 190,000 over-the-counter (OTC) COVID-19 test kits to school districts, charter schools, and private/parochial schools.

DPH continues to encourage Delawareans to protect themselves and their families by using the tools they already have available to them to stay one step ahead of COVID-19:

• Stay up to date with your vaccines. Get vaccinated and boosted when eligible. Vaccines are readily available. Find a vaccination site at de.gov/getmyvaccine.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Get tested if you have symptoms of COVID-19. Some symptoms mirror those of flu, which remains active in Delaware, and seasonal allergies. Be sure. Find a testing location or where to get a home test kit at de.gov/gettested.
• If you test positive for COVID, check with your health care provider to determine if you should get treatment for COVID-19.
• Mask up in indoor public settings if you feel uncomfortable or unsafe, or have a weakened immune system, or if you live with someone who does.

COVID-19 Cases and Hospitalizations:

• Total positive cases since March 11, 2020: 261,118
• 7-day average of new positive cases: 157.1, An increase of 94.0 average new positive cases from March 25, 2022.
• 7-day average for the percentage of total positive tests: 7.6%, an increase of 4.4 percentage points from March 25, 2022.
• Hospitalizations: 45 current hospitalizations (an increase of 10 since March 25); critically ill: 6, an increase of 4 since March 25, 2022.
• Total COVID-19 deaths: 2,896 an increase of 59 since last month (2 regularly reported deaths; 57 deaths from a review of vital statistics).

COVID-19 Vaccinations:

• Total number of doses administered in Delaware: 1,757,355
• Percentage of Delawareans 5+ who are fully vaccinated (CDC data): 73%
• Percentage of Delawareans 12+ who are fully vaccinated (CDC data): 77.2%
• Percentage of Delawareans 18+ who are fully vaccinated (CDC data): 78.7%
• Percent of Delawareans who are fully vaccinated (CDC data): 68.9%

Delaware's latest COVID-19 vaccination statistics can be found under the Vaccine Tracker dashboard at de.gov/healtycommunity

COVID-19 Case Vaccination Status Report:

The following reports capture a weekly breakdown of non-boosted cases, deaths, and hospitalizations for the time frame for April 11 - April 17, 2022.

Weekly Overview (4/11/22 - 4/17/22)	# of Non-boosted Cases
Total Non-boosted	719
Total	1094
Percent of Non-boosted Cases	66%

Non-boosted Hospitalized cases	# of Cases
Total Non-boosted Hospitalized Cases	13
Total Hospitalized Cases	17
Percent of Non-boosted Cases	76%

Non-boosted Deaths	# of Cases
Total Non-boosted Deaths	0
Total COVID-19 Deaths	0
Percent of Non-boosted Deaths	N/A

Long-term Care Statistics:
As of Thursday, April 21, 2022, there have been a total of 3,803 positive COVID-19 cases involving long-term care residents (an increase of 120 since March 25), and 945 residents of Delaware long-term care facilities have died from complications related to COVID-19 (an increase of 14).

Flu Update:
DPH reminds the public that flu season is not over. There were 251 laboratory-confirmed cases reported the week of April 10-16, the most recent date for which flu statistics are available. There have been 1,708 laboratory-confirmed cases for the current season, an increase of 807 since March 25,2022. The cases involved 793 individuals from New Castle County, 371 from Kent County and 544 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. There may be technical discrepancies of reporting numbers week to week due to retroactive reporting of cases.

In addition to staying home if you have flu-like symptoms, and taking antiviral medication as directed, DPH recommends that you:

• Practice social distancing by keeping your distance from well people if you have cold or flu-like symptoms.
• Wear a well-fitting face covering if you feel ill and have to go out in public to a doctor's appointment or pharmacy.
• Wash your hands frequently with soap and water or use alcohol-based hand sanitizers.
• Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue, and dispose of tissues immediately; if no tissue is available, cough or sneeze into your inner elbow.

Flu vaccines remain 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. 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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