Category: Child Support

DOVER, DE (Jan. 18, 2024)– The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) announces that the Office of Vital Statistics (OVS) in Dover will be closed to the public for renovations beginning February 12 through April 5, 2024. During the closure period, Kent County residents will be able to request vital records by mail or through the two authorized online ordering systems, GoCertificates (www.GoCertificates.com) and VitalChek (www.vitalchek.com). Funeral homes will have designated times to drop off their requests and will be notified by OVS.

The requests will be processed by OVS and certificates will be mailed to the requester. Please note that the requester for vital records must be the registrant’s spouse, child, parent or guardian (16 Del. C., §3110 (b)); otherwise, it may become a legal request that needs further review. Guardians must include approved guardianship paperwork.

All mail must be addressed to the OVS below with the full (not abbreviated) office name included.

Office of Vital Statistics

Jesse Cooper Building

417 Federal St.

Dover, DE 19901

All legal requests must be mailed to the OVS in Dover and must include the legal purpose in the attorney template, supporting documentation, valid ID and check/money order. Attorney templates are found on the Office of Vital Statistics’ website at https://dhss.delaware.gov/DPH/ss/vitalstats.html.

OVS locations in New Castle and Sussex Counties will remain open to the public to provide same day service requests except for long-form birth certificates, death certificates prior to 2007 and corrections/amendments to vital records. For more information on the Office of Vital Statistics, visit: https://dhss.delaware.gov/DPH/ss/vitalstats.html (16 Del. C., c. 31).

Individuals with general questions about the Office of Vital Statistics should call 302-744-4549 or 302-744-4541. Hours of operation for the public are Monday– Friday: 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. except State holidays.

The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH), a division of the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services, is a nationally accredited public health agency recognized by the Public Health Accreditation Board for its outstanding dedication to driving change through innovation.

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.

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.

DOVER, Del. (Jan. 11, 2024)– The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) is reporting a potential measles exposure at the Nemours Children’s Hospital in Wilmington on December 29, 2023. An extensive contact tracing investigation identified between 20-30 people exposed to the individual who was not symptomatic but was infectious at the time of their visit to the facility. DPH communicated with the identified potential exposures confirming vaccination status, providing educational resources and issuing quarantine and exclusion orders when necessary. After thorough review and analysis following the contact tracing investigation, DPH is issuing a public notification to any persons who visited the facility on December 29, 2023, from 6:00 AM to 12:00 PM that there is the potential for measles exposure.

Any individual who was exposed to measles and displaying symptoms should contact the Office of Infectious Disease Epidemiology during regular business hours (302-744-4990) or the state’s 24-hour reporting line at 1-888-295-5156 outside of normal business hours to coordinate testing, receive guidance, and limit any further exposures. Those who are ill should seek immediate health care by contacting their primary care provider. If symptoms are severe, they should seek immediate care at the nearest emergency department. Prior to going to any health care facility, the individual should notify providers and medical transport that they or their child were exposed to measles.

DPH has issued a notice to health care providers about measles symptoms and what to do if they see a potential case and is strongly recommending that people who have not received both doses of the Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccine do so. If a Delaware resident is unsure of their vaccination status, they can visit the DelVAX Public Portal and view their personal profile. Individuals may also contact their primary health care provider for additional details or if they are unable to obtain their records on DelVAX. In order to ensure all proper protocols are in place prior to their arrival, any individual displaying symptoms of measles infection should contact the health care facility they plan to visit in advance. Providers who identify any potential cases of measles should contact the Office of Infectious Disease Epidemiology via the contact information provided above and in Delaware Health Advisory #508.

The MMR vaccine is proven safe and effective at preventing measles having been administered for over five decades. Testing shows the vaccine to be 97% effective at preventing measles for those who have received two doses of the MMR vaccine and are not severely immunocompromised. Children should get their first dose of vaccine between 12 and 15 months of age and their second dose between 4 and 6 years of age. If you have not received both doses by age 6, you should get your first or second dose as soon as possible. Infants 6-11 months who are traveling internationally should get an early dose of MMR. Vaccinations are available to both adults and children at many pharmacies, federally qualified health centers (FQHCs), and providers throughout Delaware and also at public health clinics for the uninsured or underinsured. Individuals should contact their preferred facility in advance to confirm supply and availability.

Measles is a highly contagious, acute viral illness that begins with early symptoms of fever, cough, coryza (runny nose) and conjunctivitis (pink eye), lasting two to four days prior to rash onset. The rash typically occurs three to five days after symptoms begin and usually appears on the face and spreads down the body. Measles can cause severe health complications, including pneumonia, brain inflammation and death. The virus is transmitted by direct contact with infectious droplets or by airborne spread when an infected person breathes, coughs or sneezes. The measles virus can remain infectious in the air and on surfaces for up to two hours after an infected person leaves an area. Infected people are contagious from four days before the rash starts through four days after rash development. The incubation period for measles from exposure to fever is usually about 10 days (range, 7-12 days), and from exposure to rash onset is usually about 14 days (range, 7-21 days).

For more information on measles, visit ‘Frequently Asked Questions’ on the DPH website: https://dhss.delaware.gov/DPH/files/measlesfaq.pdf.

The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH), a division of the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services, is a nationally accredited public health agency recognized by the Public Health Accreditation Board for its outstanding dedication to driving change through innovation.

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.

DOVER, DE (Jan. 11, 2023)– The Delaware Division of Public Health’s (DPH) Office of Animal Welfare (OAW) and the Delaware State Police (DSP) responded to a complaint of suspicious activity at a Seaford residence over the weekend resulting in charges related to dog fighting and the rescue of 14 dogs. One dog died from the injuries sustained from the alleged dog fighting activities. There are five (5) dogs that remain in serious condition, and another eight (8) dogs that are being cared for by Brandywine Valley SPCA.

On Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023, at approximately 2:00 p.m., DSP responded to a report of suspicious activity around the 26000 block of Lonesome Road in Seaford. DSP conducted an investigation and discovered multiple people at the property actively engaged in dog fighting. DSP took five individuals into custody at the scene. Following the observation of animal fighting, OAW obtained a search and seizure warrant for the property units and took custody of the 14 dogs that were found at the residence.

The defendants are:

1. Samuel Foreman, age 44, of Whaleyville, MD
2. Timothy Whaley, age 44, of Salisbury, MD
3. Bryon Briddell, age 35, of Berlin, MD
4. Kevin Land, age 47 of Salisbury, MD or Seaford, DE
5. Glenn White, age 36 of Salisbury, MD or Wilmington, DE

OAW charged all defendants with one count each of:

1. Title 11– 1326 (000A) FELONY
   • Own, possess, keep, or use of animal for fighting
2. Title 11– 1326 (000B) FELONY
   • Present at a building/shed /room/yard for animal fight
3. Title 11-1325 (00B4) FELONY
   • Cruelly or unnecessary kills or injures any animal

Each of the defendants face the possibility of up to 3 years in prison for animal cruelty which is a Class F felony, and up to a 5-year sentence for animal fighting which is a Class E felony. The defendants posted bail on an $18,000 secured bond from Sussex Correctional Institution (SCI). Part of the bail conditions stipulate that the defendants they have no contact, possession, or ownership of any animals. The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information regarding this case should contact OAW at 302-255-4646.

Animal Cruelty Complaints

Cruelty and neglect of animals is against the law (delcode.delaware.gov/title16/c030f/index.html). If you are concerned about an animal’s welfare and suspect cruelty or neglect, contact OAW’s Delaware Animal Services section immediately at 302-255-4646 or report online at animalservices.delaware.gov/report_violation/25.

The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH), a division of the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services, is a nationally accredited public health agency recognized by the Public Health Accreditation Board for its outstanding dedication to driving change through innovation. DPH 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 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.

DOVER, DE (Jan. 3, 2023) – Through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s State Unintentional Drug Overdose Reporting System (SUDORS), Delaware was recently among 47 states to contribute data to the CDC’s Dec. 16, 2022, Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, titled “Drug Overdose Deaths Among Persons Aged 10-19 Years– United States, July 2019-December 2021.” The Division of Public Health (DPH) utilizes SUDORS to track available trends and characteristics of drug overdose deaths and inform prevention and response efforts.

Although middle school and high school aged youth in the U.S. reported using fewer illicit drugs in 2020, there was a 94% increase in overdose deaths from 2019 to 2020 among this age group and a 20% increase from 2020 to 2021, according to the CDC report. From July-December 2019 to July-December 2021, the median monthly overdose deaths increased 109%. Despite reporting less illicit drug use among this population overall, the CDC points to the potency of the drugs as a major contributing factor to the increase in overdose deaths among youth. During the same time period, deaths involving illicitly manufactured fentanyl increased 182%. Approximately 90% of overdose deaths involved opioids, and 83.9% involved illicit manufactured fentanyl.

Most youth who overdosed had no prior opioid use history, according to the CDC. Approximately a quarter of the deaths included evidence of counterfeit pills. However, this data may be underreported. The United States Drug Enforcement Administration has documented counterfeit pills laced with fentanyl being sold to youth through social media. DPH has responded with an educational fentanyl campaign targeted to youth stating, “If you get your drugs from a DM and not a doctor, odds are they’re laced with fentanyl.” This campaign is running on various social media platforms.

Additionally, two-thirds of decedents had a potential bystander present, although most provided no overdose response. It is important that family and friends recognize the warning signs of drug use and respond quickly to an overdose. The CDC states that parents should monitor adolescent behavior. DPH and the Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health developed the toolkit, Talk2Kids About Drugs, which is available on HelpIsHereDE.com. This toolkit has resources for parents and educators on how to talk to kids about drugs and alcohol. In addition, DPH has worked with the Department of Education on new health modules for high schoolers on drug prevention and education. However, more opportunities for opioid response including Narcan administration training for parents, staff, and youth ages 14 and older is needed so that Narcan is readily available.

The CDC states that roughly 41% of decedents had a history of a mental health condition or treatment for substance use disorder. It is important that the community supports youth by implementing programs to prevent adverse childhood experiences. The Division of Public Health created the #MyReasonWhyDEcampaign so that youth can promote their reason to remain drug free and embrace a resilient mind frame. However, if youth are struggling with their mental health or substance use disorder, there are resources available on HelpIsHereDE.com for immediate treatment in person, by phone or text, or online. Crisis intervention services for children under 18 are available 24/7 for parents and caregivers at 800-969-4357 or by texting DE to 741-741.

If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction in Delaware, call the DHSS 24/7 Crisis Hotline to be connected to treatment and recovery options. In New Castle County, call 1-800-652-2929. Or in Kent and Sussex counties, call 1-800-345-6785. For free 24/7 counseling, coaching, and support, as well as links to mental health, addiction, and crisis services call the Delaware Hope Line at 1-833-9-HOPEDE. To search for treatment and recovery services in Delaware or nearby states, visit HelpIsHereDE.com.

The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH), a division of the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services, is a nationally accredited public health agency recognized by the Public Health Accreditation Board for its outstanding dedication to driving change through innovation. DPH 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.

Anyone who is deaf, hard of hearing, Deaf-Blind, or speech-disabled can contact DPH by first dialing 711 using specialized devices (i.e., TTY, TeleBraille, voice devices). The 711 service is free; to learn more about how it works, 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.

DOVER, DE (Dec. 20, 2022)– The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) is announcing changes to COVID-19 testing access in Delaware. Based on operational needs, DPH’s valued partner Curative has decided not to renew its testing contract with the state when it ends in the next two weeks. As a result, Wednesday, Dec. 28 will be the last day for Curative test site collection. Other Curative sites, such as the one located at the University of Delaware, have already closed. The last day for Curative testing at Delaware State Service Centers will be Friday, Dec. 23.

“We greatly appreciate the incredible support and service that Curative has provided to the residents of Delaware throughout the pandemic,” said DPH Interim Director Dr. Rick Hong. “We recognize that some people may be concerned about this change, but we want to reassure Delawareans that there remains ample access to COVID-19 testing in the state. DPH will continue to support federal programs that facilitate testing and treatments, continue to offer free testing at public health clinics, and inform the public about how to obtain at-home test kits, in most cases, for free. Testing remains a critical tool for detecting COVID-19 in patients, leading to faster treatment. Through our community partners we will continue to meet public health needs. Getting vaccinated is still the most effective way to help protect yourself against severe COVID-19 illness and death, and we encourage Delawareans to speak with their health care provider to discuss available options.”

There are still many COVID-19 testing options available in Delaware:

1. Search our online testing locator at de.gov/gettested for other available testing locations such as pharmacies, Federally Qualified Health Centers or provider offices. *

   *Most sites will require a person to show their insurance card. Those without insurance will be charged. Often, medically necessary tests will be no charge, but non-medically necessary testing could cost $130 or more for people who are uninsured. Contact the site in advance to confirm insurance requirements.

   Those who need test results for travel should search the testing locator to find out which sites offer PCR tests, as rapid antigen tests are not accepted to satisfy federal travel requirements. DPH suggests individuals contact the location directly to learn more about result turn-around times.

2. Contact your primary care provider.
3. Those who are uninsured and underinsured can visit a DPH Public Health Clinic for free testing.
4. Secure an at-home test kit.
   • The White House just announced that it is making up to four free at-home tests per household available on Covidtest.gov. Tests will be mailed to your home after registration.
   • Insured individuals are eligible for up to eight free at-home tests per covered member per month. Most people with a health plan can go online, or to a pharmacy or store to get an at-home COVID-19 test at no cost, either through reimbursement or free of charge through their insurance. Learn more details here.
   • Medicare Part B Recipients– Delawareans with Medicare Part B, including those enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan, have access to over-the-counter COVID-19 tests at no cost. The initiative continues until the COVID-19 public health emergency ends. People with Medicare can get up to eight tests per calendar month from participating pharmacies and health care providers.
   • Community Organizations– They can order cases of free at-home test kits from DPH to distribute within your communities by filling out this form: https://coronavirus.delaware.govhttps://dhss.delaware.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/177/2020/10/SHOC-Resource-Request-Form.pdf and emailing it to dhss06sg_shoc_operations@delaware.gov. If organizations have questions about completing the form, they can email the staff at SHOC operations using the email address indicated for submitting the form, and staff will assist them.
   • At-home test kits are available for purchase at pharmacies, grocery stores and many other locations throughout the state. Most fall in the range of between $10 and $25.

DPH reminds the public not to go to a hospital Emergency Department (ED) just for a COVID test. Hospitals are managing heavy volumes of patient visits for influenza and other respiratory viruses and a COVID-test in and of itself is not considered an emergency. You should visit an ED if you are having chest pains or difficulty breathing, have serious burns, or broken bones. If you need a PCR test so you can get COVID treatment prescribed for you, visit https://coronavirus.delaware.gov/covid-19-treatment-options/ and learn more about Test to Treat resources in the State.

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.

If you are experiencing a medical emergency, please dial or text 9-1-1.

DPH will continue to update the public as more information becomes available. For the latest on Delaware’s response, go to de.gov/coronavirus.

The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH), a division of the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services, is a nationally accredited public health agency recognized by the Public Health Accreditation Board for its outstanding dedication to driving change through innovation. DPH 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 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.

DOVER, DE (Dec. 16, 2022)– The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) announced today the state’s first suspected flu-related death for the 2022-2023 influenza season. The patient was a Kent County resident between the ages of 55– 64 and is not reported as being vaccinated against the flu. Getting the annual flu vaccine is important for all people ages 6 months and older to prevent serious illness, hospitalization and death that can result from the flu virus. Hospitalization and death from the flu can occur in previously healthy individuals, though persons with underlying health conditions are at significantly increased risk for serious outcomes.

“The first flu-related death of the season reminds us just how dangerous the flu can be,” said DPH Interim Director Dr. Rick Hong. “Influenza started early this season and has been very active. Getting your flu vaccine as soon as possible is the best way to reduce the chance for flu illness to turn into life-threatening flu complications. Because hospitals, walk-ins, urgent cares, and physicians’ offices are already taxed with sick patient visits, we must do everything we can to prevent adding more stress to the system. Getting your flu vaccine is a very simple way to help yourself and the overall health care system.”

According to the recently launched Influenza Dashboard on My Healthy Community (https://myhealthycommunity.dhss.delaware.gov/portals/flu/locations/state/seasons/2022-2023/overview), a total of 5,609 total flu cases have been reported to date during the 2022-2023 flu season. The flu season began Oct 2, 2022. For the week of Dec. 4 to Dec 10, the most recent week for which case data is available, there were 1,125 laboratory-confirmed cases of the flu reported. Although there have been 276,911 flu vaccine doses administered from Oct 2 to Dec 3, it only accounts for 28.6% of the population.

Seniors ages 65 and older have the highest vaccination rate of any age group in Delaware with 63.3% vaccinated. This population makes up 41.6% of the state’s total vaccinated population. Every other age group has a vaccination rate of under 30% with persons in the 18-34 age demographic having the lowest at 11.1%. The influenza data dashboard is updated weekly on Thursdays at the state and county level, and monthly for other geographies. While flu cases continue to be high, flu hospitalizations remain relatively low. As of Dec. 3, the most recently available data for flu hospitalizations, there have been 47 hospitalizations for the season to date.

DPH reminds the public it is not too late to get vaccinated against the flu. Visit flu.delaware.gov and click on the Find A Flu Shot Near You button on the webpage for a list of locations where you can receive your flu shot. As a reminder, it is safe to get your flu shot and COVID-19 booster the same day if you are eligible for both.

Flu, RSV (Respiratory syncytial virus) and COVID-19 are respiratory illnesses that can have varying degrees of symptoms, from no symptoms to severe symptoms. Because these viruses share many of the same signs and symptoms, it is often difficult to tell the difference between them. Common symptoms between these viruses include fever, cough, fatigue, runny or stuffy nose, and several others. Testing is needed to confirm if you are sick with these viruses. If you or a family member need to get tested for the flu, DPH recommends contacting your primary health care provider.

If you get sick with flu, influenza antiviral drugs may be a treatment option your primary health care provider recommends. Antiviral drugs work best when started early, such as one to two days after your flu symptoms begin. When treatment is started within 1-2 days after flu symptoms begin, influenza antiviral drugs can lessen symptoms and shorten the time you are sick by 1 or 2 days.

Delawareans are encouraged to take the following preventive actions to reduce the spread of flu and other respiratory viruses:

• Get vaccinated. While there is currently no vaccine for RSV, there are vaccines for both flu and COVID-19. Make sure you are up-to-date and get your flu and COVID-19 vaccines now. You can get them both during the same visit.
• Stay home if sick.
• Cover coughs and sneezes.
• Wash hands frequently.
• Test for COVID-19 if sick, and if that’s negative, consider calling your doctor to see if you should be tested for flu. If you are diagnosed with the flu, your doctor may be able to prescribe antivirals to ease your symptoms.

For additional information call 1-800-282-8672 or visit flu.delaware.gov. The best source of information about the flu vaccine is your primary care provider or a health care professional.

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.

DOVER, DE (Dec. 15, 2022) – The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) is providing several key updates related to COVID-19 data and vaccines. According to the most recent data on the state’s My Healthy Community data dashboard, the statewide 7-day average of new positive COVID-19 cases has increased slightly following Thanksgiving and other gatherings over the past month. Hospitalizations have also increased. As holiday travel increases and families gather in coming weeks, residents are urged to remain vigilant and protected against the COVID-19 virus. Consider masking up while shopping, testing before and after gatherings, and being prepared by getting vaccinated with the updated COVID booster. As of Dec. 15, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports COVID-19 community levels in Kent and Sussex counties as medium. New Castle County is low.

Vaccine Effectiveness Study – This week marks two years since the first patient in the United States received a COVID-19 vaccine. As the virus evolved and more variants emerged, the U.S. adjusted the program with the recommendation of additional doses and variant-specific boosters. A recently published Commonwealth Fund study estimates that from December 2020 through November 2022, the U.S. COVID-19 vaccination program prevented more than 3.2 million additional deaths and 18.5 million additional hospitalizations. In addition, the modeling indicates that there would have been nearly 120 million more COVID-19 infections over that time period and the vaccination program saved over $1.15 trillion in medical costs that would have been incurred otherwise in the United States alone. Given increases in cases amid the co-circulation of three respiratory viruses, getting vaccinated against COVID-19 is more important than ever.

Bivalent Boosters for Infants/Toddlers– On Dec. 9, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted Emergency Use Authorization to Moderna to expand use of the bivalent booster to ages 6 months– 5 years. In addition, Pfizer’s bivalent booster received Emergency Use Authorization for use as the third dose in the primary series for 6 months– 4 years of age, but not for use as a bivalent booster. Those ages 5 and older are eligible for a Pfizer bivalent booster, and those ages 6 and older are eligible for a Moderna bivalent booster, under previous authorizations. Specifically:

• Children 6 months through 5 years of age who received the original (monovalent) Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine are now eligible to receive a single booster of the updated (bivalent) Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine two months after completing a primary series with the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine.
• Children 6 months through 4 years of age who have not yet begun their three-dose primary series of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine or have not yet received the third dose of their primary series, will now receive the updated (bivalent) Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine as the third dose in their primary series.
• Children 6 months through 4 years of age who have already completed their three-dose primary series with the original (monovalent) Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine will not be eligible for a booster dose of an updated bivalent vaccine at this time. Children in this age group who already completed their primary series would still be expected to have protection against the most serious outcomes from the currently circulating omicron variant.

DPH expects supply of these bivalent doses for infants and toddlers to arrive in Delaware this week. As soon as supply is received, providers may begin administration. Full details and information about where to obtain these vaccines are available at de.gov/boosters and de.gov/youthvaccine.

Transition to weekly reporting of COVID-19 data on My Healthy Community – Starting Thursday, Dec. 15, 2022, COVID-19 data reporting on the Division of Public Health’s My Healthy Community (MHC) data portal will transition from daily to weekly updates. This is consistent with the CDC’s reporting structure, which moved to providing weekly data updates in October. Going forward, the COVID-19 dashboard will be updated every Wednesday with a reporting time frame from Wednesday of the prior week to Tuesday of the current week. In the event of a significant surge in cases, while DPH will not revert back to daily data reporting on the dashboard, the agency will work to make more real-time data available. The next update on MHC will be posted Wednesday, Dec. 21.

COVID-19 Cases and Hospitalizations:

• Total positive cases since March 11, 2020: 319,477*
• 7-day daily average of new positive cases: 159.1, an increase of 53.2 average new positive cases reported since Nov 18, 2022
• 7-day daily average for the percentage of total positive tests: 9.4 percentage points, an increase of 2.7 percentage points reported since Nov 18, 2022
• Hospitalizations: 148 current hospitalizations, 11 critical hospitalizations
• Total COVID-19 deaths: 3,185, an increase of 22 since last month, including 21 as a result of ongoing Vital Statistics review of deaths occurring between February and November.

*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: 2,083,675
• Percentage of Delawareans 5+ who are fully vaccinated (CDC data): 76.2%
• Percentage of Delawareans 12+ who are fully vaccinated (CDC data): 80.3%
• Percentage of Delawareans 18+ who are fully vaccinated (CDC data): 81.8%
• Percent of Delawareans who are fully vaccinated (CDC data): 72%

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 Dec. 5, 2022– Dec. 11, 2022.

Not up-to-date: Case– Hospital– Death

Weekly Overview (12/05/22– 12/11/22)	Not up-to-date Cases
Total Not up-to-date cases	930
Total Cases	1074
Percent of Not up-to-date Cases	86%

Not up-to-date Hospitalized cases
Total Not up-to-date Hospitalized Cases	148
Total Hospitalized Cases	162
Percent of Not up-to-date Cases	91%

Not up-to-date Deaths	# of Cases
Total Not up-to-date Deaths	0
Total COVID-19 Deaths	0
Percent of Non-boosted Deaths	0%

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, Dec. 15, 2022, there have been a total of 5,028 positive COVID-19 cases involving long-term care residents, and 1,006 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.

DOVER, DE (Dec. 6, 2022)– The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) would like to recognize High 5 Hospitality as the first hospitality group in Delaware to have all its restaurants achieve the Bronze Fork award as part of the Restaurant Accolade Program. High 5 Hospitality restaurants include Buffalo Wild Wings, Eggspectation, Jersey Mike’s Subs, Limestone BBQ, and the Stone Balloon with a total of 15 locations.

Initiated by DPH’s Office of Health Crisis Response (OHCR) in March 2022, the Restaurant Accolade Program has successfully trained management and staff at 66 restaurants to address substance use disorder. All are now Bronze Fork awardees. The next levels of certification are the Silver and Gold Forks. The program teaches staff in the food service industry to respond to an opioid overdose and helps restaurants create policies and workplace environments to support employees and patrons struggling with substance use disorder (SUD). Restaurants are among the industries whose workforce has had a high incidence of overdose.

“We are proud of our leaders and team members for being the first hospitality group to achieve the Bronze Fork Award for all our locations,” said Lori Ewald, High 5 hospitality director of human resources and marketing. “Our teams were very responsive to the training, and we are looking forward to achieving the next level. This training has helped our team members gain an increased awareness of the opioid crisis and provided them with tools to save a life. When people ask why we participate in this program, my response is simple– Why wouldn’t we?”

OHCR has trained almost 400 Delaware restaurant employees on how to recognize and respond to an opioid overdose. Staff and restaurants were also given Narcan kits to use and keep on site. The Restaurant Accolade Program is one of OHCR’s initiatives aimed at reducing drug overdoses and substance use disorders across the state, while working to combat the stigma often associated with SUD.

“We recognize it is vital to meet individuals in the communities and spaces where they live, work and play and we appreciate all the restaurants that have partnered with us in this program” said OHCR Director Kate Brookins. “We are dedicated to providing support to restaurants and their patrons and staff in our fight to combat overdoses and addiction.”

Restaurants can schedule training and get more information by emailing OHCR@delaware.gov

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If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction in Delaware, call the DHSS 24/7 Crisis Hotline to be connected to treatment and recovery options. In New Castle County, call 1-800-652-2929. Or in Kent and Sussex counties, call 1-800-345-6785.

For free 24/7 counseling, coaching, and support, as well as links to mental health, addiction, and crisis services call the Delaware Hope Line at 1-833-9-HOPEDE. To search for treatment and recovery services in Delaware or nearby states, visit HelpIsHereDE.com.

The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH), a division of the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services, is a nationally accredited public health agency recognized by the Public Health Accreditation Board for its outstanding dedication to driving change through innovation.

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.