MONTHLY COVID-19 UPDATE - OCTOBER 14, 2022: COVID-19 CASES CONTINUE TO DECLINE; BIVALENT BOOSTERS FOR YOUTH AUTHORIZED

DOVER, DE (October 14, 2022) - The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) reports that the 7-day average of new positive COVID-19 cases has decreased for the third consecutive month. Deaths remain low, and hospitalization rates are holding steady. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) COVID-19 Community Levels data tracker, which factors in data on hospitalizations and cases in each county to determine recommended community prevention strategies, COVID-19 community levels in Kent County are now high, Sussex County remains at medium, while levels in New Castle County continue to be listed as low as of October 13.

This week, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted Emergency Use Authorization to Pfizer for the bivalent booster for ages 5-11 and to Moderna for their bivalent booster for those ages 6-17 who have received their primary series of vaccination at least two months before (a minimum of two doses of Pfizer, Moderna or Novavax). The CDC Director also signed off on the expanded authorization. Bivalent boosters were previously authorized on Aug. 31 for those ages 12+ for Pfizer, and for Moderna, ages 18+. Moderna's bivalent booster for ages 5-11 will utilize the same product as the adult booster, just at a lesser dose. Pfizer's bivalent booster for youth will come in a separate vial as it requires dilution, while the adult formula does not, for more information, visit de.gov/boosters.

The updated boosters target two strains of COVID-19: the original strain of the virus, and two of the Omicron variants (BA.4 and BA.5), currently, the most widespread variants in the world. To reduce confusion among the public and vaccine providers, and because they do not offer the increased levels of protection provided by the bivalent boosters, the original (monovalent) booster formula is no longer authorized for use in those 5 and older. Medical providers may no longer administer them. Individuals who have recently had COVID-19 are strongly encouraged to get a bivalent booster to optimize their protection, even if they received a monovalent booster before. Those who recently had COVID-19 should also get the new booster but should consider waiting three months after they have recovered from the virus.

DPH strongly encourages everyone to get their bivalent booster as soon as they are eligible, and well in advance of any possible surge in the late fall or winter. A recent Commonwealth Fund study found that if 80% of eligible individuals 5 and older receive their booster dose by the end of 2022, it would prevent about 90,000 deaths and more than 936,000 hospitalizations, while also preventing $56 billion in medical costs in the next six months. However, if the current pace of vaccinations remains unchanged nationwide through March 2023, a potential winter surge in the United States could result in as many as 16,000 hospitalizations and 1,200 deaths per day, the study found.

Individuals may also get a booster at the same time as they get their annual flu vaccine, either in the same arm at least one inch apart, or in different arms. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention encourages everyone 6 months older to get their flu vaccine by Halloween amid concerns of a potentially severe flu season. This week, DPH confirmed that flu is statewide and has already recorded the state's first pediatric case of the season as well. Flu vaccines and bivalent boosters are available at DPH clinics, many pharmacies, Federally Qualified Health Centers and some community events. You can find a list of locations for COVID vaccines at de.gov/getmyvaccine. or at vaccines.gov. Locations for flu vaccines can be found on the flu finder on the flu.delaware.gov webpage. More details on the bivalent booster can be found at de.gov/boosters.

The webpage also has a link to a flier for the public which highlights some similarities between the labels of bivalent boosters and some primary series vaccines. Those getting a booster are encouraged to print and take a copy of the flier with them, or pull it up on their phone's web browser, and ask the vaccine provider to show them the vial that your bivalent booster is being drawn from so they can confirm it is the correct one. It is an important step in being an educated health consumer and advocate for your personal health.

The below data is as reported on Delaware's My Health Community data portal on Thursday, Oct. 13, 2022.

COVID-19 Cases and Hospitalizations:

• Total positive cases since March 11, 2020: 310,819*
• 7-day daily average of new positive cases: 146.4, a decrease of 49.7 average new positive cases reported since Sept 15, 2022
• 7-day daily average for the percentage of total positive tests: 9.9 percentage points, a decrease of 2.6 percentage points reported since Sept. 15, 2022
• Hospitalizations: 105 current hospitalizations; critically ill: 8
• Total COVID-19 deaths: 3,121, an increase of 41 since last month including 35 as a result of ongoing Vital Statistics reviews of deaths occurring between June and September.

* *Case and testing data are based on reporting of lab-confirmed COVID-19 tests only. The number of COVID-19 cases in the community is higher than what is reported because of the use of at-home test kits.

COVID-19 Vaccinations:

• Total number of doses administered in Delaware: 1,973,133
• Percentage of Delawareans 5+ who are fully vaccinated (CDC data): 75.7%
• Percentage of Delawareans 12+ who are fully vaccinated (CDC data): 79.8%
• Percentage of Delawareans 18+ who are fully vaccinated (CDC data): 81.3%
• Percent of Delawareans who are fully vaccinated (CDC data): 71.6%

All qualifying Delawareans should get vaccinated. For a location near you, visit de.gov/getmyvaccine.. 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 of Sep 26 - Oct 2, 2022.

*Note: Case and Hospitalization Count: based on RTS (Report to State Date) Death: based on DoD (Date of Death)

Long-term Care Statistics:

As of Thursday, October 13, 2022, there have been a total of 4,705 positive COVID-19 cases involving long-term care residents, and 989 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.

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.

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