COVID-19 death toll rises to five
Five Delawareans have died as COVID-19 continues to spread throughout the state.
Delaware Division of Public Health announced March 28 that the most recent deaths involve a 76-year-old man from New Castle County who was not hospitalized and a 74-year-old man and a 77-year-old man, both from Kent County and both hospitalized. All three men had underlying health conditions. The source of exposure for these cases is not confirmed. Officials will not release further details on these deaths to protect patient privacy.
There have been 214 total laboratory-confirmed cases in the state since March 11. This includes 49 additional cases since Friday; 130 are from New Castle County, 25 are from Kent County, and 59 are from Sussex County. The total number of positive cases represents a cumulative total of cases, including individuals who are currently ill and those who are considered recovered. Nine Delaware residents have recovered from COVID-19.
Of the 214 cases, 105 are male and 109 are female, with patients ranging in age from 1 to 90. Thirty-one individuals are currently hospitalized, eight are critically ill.
The source of exposure for many of these positive cases is unknown, which indicates community spread of the virus is occurring in the Delaware. In an effort to provide more demographic information to the public, additional information has been incorporated into Delaware’s data dashboard located at de.gov/coronavirus.
Through the governor’s State of Emergency, Delawareans are to stay home, except if your business has been deemed essential. The order does allow Delawareans who need to see a doctor, pick up a prescription, buy groceries, or engage in other activities essential to their health to leave their residences. If you are sick with any symptoms, stay home. 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.
If you think you have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, or have symptoms of illness, make sure to distance yourself from others, particularly vulnerable populations. This includes people 60 years of age and older; people with serious chronic health conditions such as diabetes, lung disease, heart disease; or those who are immunocompromised.
Health officials say patients are considered fully recovered seven days after the resolution of their symptoms.
For individuals who are sick, stay home and contact your primary care provider for guidance regarding symptoms and next steps. DPH urges individuals who are sick, even with mild symptoms that would be present with a cold or flu, to stay home to help prevent the spread of illness to others.
Statewide testing at standing health facility testing sites require a physician’s order or prescription to be tested. Bayhealth patients will be pre-screened via phone without needing to see a provider first. These are not walk-in testing sites. Those without a primary care provider can call the DPH Call Center Line at 1-866-408-1899. Individuals awaiting test results, should wait to hear back from their medical provider. The DPH Call Center does not have test results.
Delawareans with general questions about COVID-19 or their exposure risk can call the Division of Public Health’s Coronavirus Call Center at 1-866-408-1899, or 711 for individuals who are hearing-impaired, from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Questions can also 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.
