COVID cases, deaths, hospitalizations continue to rise

The Delaware Division of Public Health has provided its weekly update on COVID-19 in Delaware.

A total of 23,687 positive cases among Delaware residents has been reported to DPH since March 11, including 12,493 individuals who are considered recovered. The number of new daily cases each day this week has remained elevated, with the seven-day average of 137.3, as of Oct. 22.

The seven-day average for the percentage of persons who tested positive increased from 5.5 percent as of Oct. 15, to 6.9 percent as of Oct. 22. DPH recently began publishing both positivity rates – persons tested and total tests conducted – on its COVID-19 data portal. As of Oct. 20, the seven-day average for the percentage of total tests that were positive was 3.1 percent, up from 2.6 percent as of Oct. 13. There is a two-day lag for presenting data related to percent of tests that are positive to account for the time delay between the test date and the date that DPH receives the test result.

In addition, 106 individuals are currently hospitalized in Delaware, an increase of two from the total as of last Friday’s update. Twenty-five of the hospitalized persons are critically ill, down one from last week.

In all, 678 Delawareans have died due to complications from COVID-19. The state reported 16 additional deaths since last week's update, including three as a result of a review of Vital Statistics records. Altogether, individuals who have died from COVID-19 range in age from 21 to 104 years old. Of those who have died, 354 were female and 324 were male; 339 individuals were from New Castle County, 120 were from Kent County and 219 were from Sussex County.

Walgreens location added to testing sites

As part of its partnership with the State of Delaware to provide consistent access to free COVID-19 testing statewide, the Walgreens Pharmacy located at 3301 Lancaster Pike, Wilmington, started offering COVID-19 testing Oct. 23. This testing site will operate in the store, by appointment from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday. To reserve an appointment, go to https://www.picktime.com/DECOVID19test. Limited on-site registration will be available on an as-needed basis.

This new site is in addition to eight drive-through testing sites operated by Walgreens, as well as 11 other permanent testing sites – five state service center sites and six public health clinics – available throughout the state. Pop-up testing sites continue to be offered each week as well. The full list of testing locations, hours, and registration options is available on Delaware’s COVID-19 website at de.gov/gettested.

Delaware COVID-19 data

The latest Delaware COVID-19 case statistics cumulatively since March 11 include:

• 23,687 total positive cases

• New Castle County cases: 12,491

• Kent County cases: 3,394

• Sussex County cases: 7,711

• Unknown county: 91

• Females: 12,787; Males: 10,861; Unknown sex: 39

• Age range: 0 to 104

• Currently hospitalized: 106; Critically ill: 25 

• Delawareans recovered: 12,493

• 311,425 negative cases.

School-related COVID-19 statistics

Cumulative number of COVID-19 positive students and staff, statewide, who were in person at a school or child care facility while potentially infectious, reported to DPH between Sept. 1 and Oct. 23:

• Child care – 27 students and 25 staff
• Private K-12 – 54 students and 26 staff
• Public K-12 – 24 students and 75 staff.

COVID-19 in long-term care facilities

The Division of Public Health continues to investigate COVID-19 outbreaks in long-term care facilities throughout the state. Facilities where significant ongoing outbreaks are occurring as of Oct. 22 include:  

• Kentmere Rehabilitation and Health Care Center in Wilmington: 54 residents and 42 staff members 
• Cadia Healthcare Silverside in Wilmington: 44 residents and 32 staff members 
• Country Rest Home in Greenwood: 31 residents and 18 staff members  
• Regency Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center in Wilmington: 38 residents and 15 staff.

Long-term care statistics

Information related to positive cases and deaths among residents at long-term care facilities will be updated weekly each Friday. There is a total of 1,457 positive COVID-19 cases cumulatively involving long-term care residents, and 395 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 (17)

• Brackenville Center, Genesis Healthcare, Hockessin (18)

• Brandywine Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Wilmington (34)

• Brandywine Living at Seaside Pointe, Rehoboth Beach (2)

• Cadia Healthcare Broadmeadow, Middletown (11)

• Cadia Healthcare Capitol, Dover (14)

• Cadia Healthcare Renaissance, Millsboro (9)

• Cadia Healthcare North Wilmington/Silverside, Wilmington (13)

• Country Rest Home, Greenwood (6)

• Delaware Hospital for the Chronically Ill, Smyrna (11)

• Governor Bacon Health Center, Delaware City (1)

• HarborChase of Wilmington, Wilmington (4)

• Harbor Healthcare and Rehabilitation, Lewes (21)

• Harrison House Senior Living, Georgetown (41)

• Hillside Center, Wilmington (3)

• Kentmere Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center, Wilmington (5)

• Little Sisters of the Poor, Newark (11)

• ManorCare Health Services, Wilmington (13)

• ManorCare Health Services, Pike Creek (20)

• Methodist Country House, Wilmington (4)

• Millcroft, Newark (2)

• Milford Center, Genesis Healthcare, Milford (36)

• 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 (24)

• Regal Heights Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center, Hockessin (6)

• Summit Assisted Living, Hockessin (3)

• Sunrise Assisted Living, Wilmington (2)

• Westminster Village, Dover (7)

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

• Two other Sussex County long-term care facility (1 death at each facility).

Additional demographic data on COVID-19 cases and deaths, including race/ethnicity, more age-specific data and rates information by ZIP code, and information on Delaware's contact tracing efforts can be found on the Division of Public Health's My Healthy Community data portal at de.gov/healthycommunity.

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

Individuals who have complaints about individuals violating public gathering restrictions should contact state or local law enforcement. Concerns that a business may be violating operating restrictions should be directed to: HSPContact@delaware.gov. Questions related to business reopenings or operations as businesses reopen should go to COVID19FAQ@delaware.gov.

Individuals with questions about COVID-19 should call Delaware 2-1-1; those who are deaf or hard of hearing can text their ZIP code to 898-211, or email info@delaware211.org. Hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday; 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Medically related questions regarding testing, symptoms, and health-related guidance can be submitted by email at DPHCall@delaware.gov. Questions regarding unemployment claims should be emailed to: UIClaims@delaware.gov.

In addition, the Division of Public Health asks any Delaware healthcare, long-term care, residential, or other high-risk facility with questions or concerns to email: DPH_PAC@delaware.gov or call the DPH Call Center at 1-866-408-1899 and press Ext. 2.

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