DHSS Press Release

WEEKLY COVID-19 UPDATE - FEBRUARY 4, 2022:
DELAWARE DIVISION OF PUBLIC HEALTH WARNS AGAINST COMPLACENCY AMID REDUCED COVID-19 POSITIVE CASES

DOVER, DE (February 4, 2022) - 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 Thursday, Feb 3, 2022. Although DPH reports decreasing data trends in hospitalization and new positive cases, it warns against complacency. Delawareans should continue to exercise caution by wearing a mask in public and getting vaccinated to protect themselves against the deadly virus and its variants. Coronavirus deaths continue to account for double-digit deaths in Delaware each week this year.

Disinformation campaigns continue to cause panic that DPH and other states are forced to clarify. Vaccine misinformation leading to vaccination avoidance could contribute to deaths caused by virus. If you have a concern about how the vaccines work or how it provides the support your body needs to better fight off this deadly virus, please talk with your doctor and review the article from the CDC titled "The Immune System-the Body's Defense Against Infection."

• Get vaccinated and boosted. COVID-19 vaccines continue to offer the best protection against infection, hospitalization and death.
• Wear a well-fitting mask in public and when around others outside of your household. Make sure your mask fits properly over your nose and mouth.
• Stay home if you have symptoms or if you have been exposed to someone with COVID-19. Avoid non-essential in-person social gatherings.
• Go to the emergency room if you have a true emergency, but do not go to the ER only for a COVID-19 test. Our hospitals are strained, and emergency departments need to be preserved for life-threatening emergencies.
• Get tested if:
  • You have symptoms.
  • It has been five days after you were exposed to someone with COVID-19.
  • You are unvaccinated (those not vaccinated should be tested once per week).

COVID-19 Cases and Hospitalizations:

• Total positive cases since March 11, 2020: 250,311
• 7-day average of new positive cases: 606.7, a decrease of 605.9 from last week.
• 7-day average for the percentage of total positive tests: 15.5%, a decrease of 2.8 percentage points from last week
• Hospitalizations: 322, a decrease of 131 from last week; critically ill: 36, a decrease of 12 from last week
• Total COVID-19 deaths: 2,563
• Total COVID-19 deaths reported since last week: 65, including 15 from a review of vital statistics records.

COVID-19 Vaccinations:

• Total number of doses administered in Delaware: 1,656,842
• Percentage of Delawareans 5+ who are fully vaccinated (CDC data): 70.3%
• Percentage of Delawareans 12+ who are fully vaccinated (CDC data): 75%
• Percentage of Delawareans 18+ who are fully vaccinated (CDC data): 76.6%
• Percent of Delawareans who are fully vaccinated (CDC data): 66.4%

All qualifying Delawareans should get vaccinated. Individuals who qualify for a booster dose should get one as soon as possible. For the latest information on the COVID-19 vaccine in Delaware, visit de.gov/getmyvaccine.. For information on boosters, visit de.gov/boosters. 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 reports capture a weekly breakdown of vaccination status for cases, deaths, and hospitalizations for the time frame for Jan.24 - Jan. 30.

Weekly Overview (1/24/22 - 1/30/22)	# of Unvaccinated Cases
Total Unvaccinated / Partially Vaccinated	3834
Total Cases	6794
Percent of Unvaccinated / Partially Vaccinated Cases	56%

Hospitalizations	# of Cases
Unvaccinated / Partially Vaccinated Hospitalized	128
Total Hospitalized	220
Percent of Unvaccinated / Partially Vaccinated Hospitalized	58%

Deaths	# of Cases
Unvaccinated / Partially Vaccinated Covid-19 Deaths	22
Total Covid-19 deaths	34
Percent of Unvaccinated / Partially Vaccinated Covid-19 Deaths	65%

Weekly Overview (1/24/22 - 1/30/22)	# of Non-boosted Cases
Total Non-boosted	5697
Total	6794
Percent of Non-boosted Cases	84%

# of Non-boosted Hospitalizations	# of Cases
Total Non-boosted Hospitalizations	189
Total Hospitalizations	220
Percent of Non-boosted Hospitalizations	86%

Non-boosted Deaths	# of Cases
Total Non-boosted Deaths	29
Total COVID-19 Deaths	34
Percent of Non-boosted Cases	85%

Breakthrough Cases (cumulative since vaccinations began):

• Total breakthrough cases: 20,211, or 3.4% of fully vaccinated individuals
• Total breakthrough hospitalizations: 224
• Total breakthrough deaths: 211

A breakthrough case is defined as testing positive for COVID-19 after an individual has been fully vaccinated for two weeks or more.

*Please note, these data may be updated as additional information is received.

COVID-19 Variant Cases in Delaware:

Of the samples collected during the week of Jan. 14 - Jan. 20, the Omicron variant represented 96.5% of cases sequenced for a variant of concern, variant of interest, or variant being monitored. The remaining 3.5% of sequenced cases were identified as Delta.

As a reminder, DPH is now providing variant data based on sample collection date rather than sequencing date, due to the length of time between sample collection (when a person is tested) and when samples are sequenced by laboratories, which can be lagged by two weeks or longer. This will more accurately reflect the proportion of specific variants that are circulating in the community at various points in time.

The Delaware Public Health Laboratory and other laboratories regularly monitor for the presence of COVID-19 variants, including Delta and Omicron, through routine genomic sequencing of test specimens. Genome sequencing is a public health surveillance tool used to monitor the prevalence of COVID-19 variants; it is not used to diagnose individuals with a specific strain of COVID-19, as treatment recommendations do not differ based on variant strains. COVID-19 tests identify current infection of COVID-19, but do not identify a specific variant of the virus the individual might have.

Long-term Care Statistics:

As of Thursday, Feb. 3, there have been a total of 3,048 positive COVID-19 cases involving long-term care residents, and 897 residents of Delaware long-term care facilities have died from complications related to COVID-19.

Flu Update:

There were seven laboratory-confirmed cases reported the week of Jan. 23 - Jan. 29. As of Jan. 29, 2022, the most recent date for which flu statistics are available, there have been 614 laboratory-confirmed cases for the current season. The cases involved 427 individuals from New Castle County, 81 from Kent County and 106 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.

All individuals 6 months and older are strongly encouraged to get vaccinated against the flu if they haven't already. 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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