DHSS Press Release

MONTHLY COVID-19 UPDATE: JANUARY 13, 2023 DPH SEES LOWER POST-HOLIDAY INCREASES IN CASES AND HOSPITALIZATION THAN IN 2022, ENCOURAGES PUBLIC TO CONTINUE WITH SPECIFIC ACTIONS

DOVER, DE (Jan. 13, 2023) - The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) is seeing an increase in post-holiday COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations, though the increase is not nearly as high as the 2022 post-holiday surge. Still, DPH encourages individuals to take specific action steps to stay healthy and prevent the spread of the virus, such as staying home when sick, testing when symptoms appear or when exposed to someone with COVID-19, staying up to date with vaccinations and boosters, and considering wearing a mask in crowded spaces.

This time last year, Delaware reported the highest number of new positive daily cases since the start of the pandemic at 3,666 reported on Jan. 6, 2022, and 759 hospitalizations on Jan. 12, 2022. As of the latest data posted to the My Healthy Community dashboard Wednesday, there were 266 new cases on Jan. 6, 2023, and 202 hospitalizations for Jan. 10, 2023. While the reduced number of cases reported does not take into account the large number of likely positive results from at-home testing, which are not reported to DPH, the fact that hospitalizations remain so much lower is a good indicator that there is not as much serious illness being caused by COVID-19 infection. Even with new emerging variants, the tools available to successfully fight COVID-19 have become increasingly effective.

Viruses constantly mutate and evolve, and sometimes these mutations result in new variants of the virus. The updated bivalent booster provides the best level of protection against serious illness and hospitalization as it strengthens the antibody response against two strains of COVID-19: the original strain of the virus and the Omicron variants. Health experts say if has been eight (8) months or more since your last vaccine, your protection is limited. If you are 5+ and it has been at least two months or more since you completed your primary series, haven't had a recent infection since July, or haven't been boosted since August, you are eligible for an updated booster. Learn more about where to get a booster at de.gov/boosters.

Treatment also remains one of the most effective tools for preventing severe outcomes from COVID-19. If an individual tests positive, especially if they are more likely to get very sick from the virus due to a health condition, treatments are available that reduce the risk of being hospitalized or dying from the disease. Those who test positive should contact a healthcare provider right away to determine if treatment is appropriate. Most treatments must be started within five days of when symptoms first appear, and the sooner treatment is started, the sooner it begins working to fight the virus.

Individuals should ask about treatment if they test positive for COVID-19 and are either:

• 50 years or older (especially over 65, as risk increases with age)
• Unvaccinated
• Listed as having certain medical conditions - such as chronic lung disease, heart disease, diabetes, a weakened immune system, and more.

More information, including test-to-treat sites and locations where treatment is available with a prescription, can be found at https://coronavirus.delaware.gov/covid-19-treatment-options/.

In comparison to COVID-19 data released on Dec. 15, Delaware has seen an increase in the 7-day daily average of new positive cases, hospitalizations and critical hospitalizations.

COVID-19 Cases and Hospitalizations:

• Total positive cases since March 11, 2020: 324,137*
• 7-day daily average of new positive cases: 221.3, an increase of 62.2 average new positive cases reported since Dec. 15, 2022
• 7-day daily average for the percentage of total positive tests: 15.5 percentage points, an increase of 6.1 percentage points reported since Dec. 15, 2022
• Hospitalizations: 202 current hospitalizations, 24 critical hospitalizations
• Total COVID-19 deaths: 3,220 - increase of 35 from last month including 29 from vital statistic review between Oct - Dec.

*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: 2,099,714
• Percentage of Delawareans 5+ who are fully vaccinated (CDC data): 77.2%
• Percentage of Delawareans 12+ who are fully vaccinated (CDC data): 81.3%
• Percentage of Delawareans 18+ who are fully vaccinated (CDC data): 82.9%
• Percent of Delawareans who are fully vaccinated (CDC data): 73.1%

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 Jan. 2, 2023 - Jan. 8, 2023.

Not up-to-date: Case - Hospital - Death

Weekly Overview (01/02/23 - 01/08/23)	Not up-to-date Cases
Total Not up-to-date cases	1232
Total Cases	1448
Percent of Not up-to-date Cases	85%

Not up-to-date Hospitalized cases
Total Not up-to-date Hospitalized Cases	290
Total Hospitalized Cases	357
Percent of Not up-to-date Cases	81%

Not up-to-date Deaths	# of Cases
Total Not up-to-date Deaths	2
Total COVID-19 Deaths	2
Percent of Non-boosted Deaths	100%

Note
Case and Hospitalization Count: based on RTS (Report to State Date) Death: based on DoD (Date of Death) Not up-to-date: all cases that are not completed a COVID-19 vaccine primary series and/or have not received the most recent booster dose recommended by CDC. (CDC's guidance updated Dec 9th, 2022)
DE resident only*

Long-term Care Statistics:

As of Thursday, Jan. 11, 2023, there have been a total of 5,278 positive COVID-19 cases involving long-term care residents, and 1,016 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.

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

---

---