Cases, hospitalizations, rate of COVID-19 all declining

Cases, hospitalizations and rate of infection are all trending downward in the latest statistics released Feb. 18 by the Delaware Division of Public Health.

There are 173 individuals hospitalized due to COVID-19 in Delaware, which is a decrease of 74 as of this time last week. Twenty of the hospitalized persons are critically ill, down 3 from last week. 

The seven-day average for the percentage of persons who tested positive for COVID-19 was 19 percent, a decrease from 21.5 percent as of Feb. 11. As of Feb. 16, the seven-day average for the percentage of total tests that were positive was 4.8 percent, a decrease from 6 percent Feb. 9. 

A total of 84,181 positive cases of COVID-19 among Delaware residents have been reported to DPH since March 11, 2020, and the seven-day average of new positive cases has decreased to 280.3.

A total of 1,343 Delawareans have passed away due to complications from COVID-19. The state reported 74 additional deaths since last week's update. Individuals who have died from COVID-19 range in age from younger than 5 to 104 years old. Of those who have died, 679 were female and 664 were male. A total of 644 individuals were from New Castle County, 281 were from Kent County, and 418 were from Sussex County.

To date, DPH has identified seven confirmed cases of the UK COVID-19 variant. The cases include six adults ranging in age from 18-65, as well as a child under the age of 10. Five individuals were from New Castle County and two were from Kent County.

Virus mutation is common. Preliminary data suggests the UK variant, as well as Brazilian and South African variants, may spread more easily and quickly, which could lead to increased cases. The public health approach and treatments are not any different, but as this new variant may be more contagious, officials said, it is even more important that individuals remain vigilant and continue taking the necessary steps to avoid spreading the virus – wear a mask, wash your hands, avoid gatherings.

DPH update on second doses

Officials are asking for patience as bad weather has affected vaccine supply heading to Delaware. As of Feb. 19, the state had about 19,000 doses left, and 27,000 doses had been delivered by the federal government for pharmacies.

Currently, officials said, the state is focusing on completing a person’s vaccination series. 

“With the state’s continued limited vaccine supply, we must continue to strike a balance between offering first and second doses, with the recognition that doing so may slow the rate of offering first doses to eligible Delawareans,” officials said in a press release.

Vaccination providers have an obligation to provide second doses of the vaccine to those who were given a first dose. Officials said they are asking vaccinating partners to prioritize completing the vaccination series for individuals who received a first dose from them, and then with their remaining allocation strive to balance first doses to eligible persons and second doses for individuals who received a first dose elsewhere. Ongoing vaccine availability constraints may limit the number of first-dose appointments available, or the availability of appointments for second doses for people who received a first dose elsewhere

Anyone who received their first dose at Walgreens, Giant, Camden Pharmacy or ChristianaCare may have received notice recently that their second dose appointment was canceled or postponed. Each of these entities has already begun rescheduling these appointments, officials said, and locations are working through their lists based on the supply they are receiving.

Additional information about COVID-19 vaccine rollout, which includes a list of pharmacies and medical providers accepting public requests for vaccination, is available at de.gov/covidvaccine. Questions can be directed to the Vaccine Call Center at 1-833-643-1715. People who are deaf or hard of hearing should call 2-1-1 or text their ZIP code to 898-211. Individuals can email questions concerning the vaccine to Vaccine@Delaware.gov.

Long-term care statistics

As of  Feb. 18, there have been a total of 2,290 positive COVID-19 cases involving long-term care residents, and 679 residents of Delaware long-term care facilities have died from complications related to COVID-19.

The locations and number of deaths involving residents of long-term care facilities are:

Atlantic Shores Rehabilitation and Health Center, Millsboro (22)

Brackenville Center, Genesis Healthcare, Hockessin (22)

Brandywine Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Wilmington (36)

Brandywine Living at Seaside Pointe, Rehoboth Beach (5)

Brookdale Dover, Dover (14)

Cadia Healthcare Broadmeadow, Middletown (16)

Cadia Healthcare Capitol, Dover (21)

Cadia Healthcare Renaissance, Millsboro (11)

Cadia Healthcare North Wilmington/Silverside, Wilmington (31)

Churchman Village, Newark (19)

Country Rest Home, Greenwood (15)

Delaware Hospital for the Chronically Ill, Smyrna (15)

Delmar Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Delmar (2)

Dover Place, Dover (6)

Foulk Manor South, Wilmington (13)

Forwood Manor, Wilmington (5)

Governor Bacon Health Center, Delaware City (1)

HarborChase of Wilmington, Wilmington (4)

Harbor Healthcare and Rehabilitation, Lewes (45)

Harrison House Senior Living, Georgetown (47)

Hillside Center, Wilmington (7)

Ingleside Assisted Living, Wilmington (2)

Kentmere Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center, Wilmington (9)

Kutz Senior Living, Wilmington (9)

Little Sisters of the Poor, Newark (11)

Lofland Park Center, Genesis Healthcare, Seaford (6)

ManorCare Health Services, Wilmington (19)

ManorCare Health Services, Pike Creek (26)

Methodist Country House, Wilmington (4)

Millcroft, Newark (3)

Milford Center, Genesis Healthcare, Milford (46)

New Castle Health and Rehabilitation Center, New Castle (12)

Newark Manor Nursing Home, Newark (11)

Parkview Nursing and Rehabilitation, Wilmington (26)

Pinnacle Rehabilitation and Health Center, Smyrna (36)

Regal Heights Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center, Hockessin (14)

Regency Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center, Wilmington (8)

Seaford Center, Genesis Healthcare, Seaford (3)

Shipley Manor, Wilmington (11)

Silver Lake Center, Genesis Healthcare, Dover (2)

Somerford House and Place, Newark (4)

Summit Assisted Living, Hockessin (3)

Sunrise Assisted Living, Wilmington (2)

The Center at Eden Hill, Dover (6)

The Moorings at Lewes, Lewes (4)

Westminster Village, Dover (23)

WillowBrooke Court Skilled Center at Manor House, Seaford (12)

WillowBrooke Court at Cokesbury Village, Hockessin (4)

Five other New Castle County long-term care facilities (1 death at each facility)

One other Kent County long-term care facility (1 death at this facility).

Anyone sick with any of the following symptoms, stay home: fever, cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, muscle aches, fatigue, chills, shaking with chills, loss of smell or taste, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea, or headache or congestion or runny nose without a known cause such as allergies. Other symptoms such as abdominal pain or lack of appetite have been identified as potential symptoms related to COVID-19 and may prompt further screening, action or investigation by a primary care provider. If you are sick and need essential supplies, ask someone else to go to the grocery store or the pharmacy to get what you need.

Information about testing events, including community testing sites, permanent fixed testing sites, and free-standing sites operated by the health care systems and hospitals, will be listed on the testing section of the Delaware coronavirus website at de.gov/gettested.