Delaware nears 5,000 positive COVID-19 cases

Delaware is approaching 5,000 positive COVID-19 cases, according to data released May 1 by Delaware Division of Public Health.

DPH reported seven new deaths related to COVID-19. In total,159 Delawareans, from 30 to 103 years old, have passed away due to complications from COVID-19. Of those who have died, 83 were females and 76 were males.

A total of 70 deaths were from New Castle County, 27 were from Kent County and 62 were from Sussex County, including 43 deaths in five long-term care facilities in Sussex County.

The most recent deaths announced today ranged in age from 30 to 98, five women and two men. Two were New Castle County residents, one was a Kent County resident, and four were Sussex County residents. Six of the most recent deaths involved individuals with underlying health conditions, and five were residents of long-term care facilities. DPH learned that one previously reported death was a resident of a long-term care facility, therefore that individual is now included in the total fatalities related to long-term care.

Gov. John Carney’s 13th modification to his state of emergency declaration requires Delawareans to wear face coverings in public settings, including in grocery stores, convenience stores, pharmacies, doctor's offices, and on public transportation. Carney's order recommends but does not require children aged 12 or younger to wear a face covering. Any child 2-years-old or younger MUST NOT wear a face covering, due to the risk of suffocation.

Some data is preliminary and subject to change. The latest Delaware COVID-19 case statistics cumulatively since March 11, provided as of 6 p.m., Thursday, April 30, include: 

• 4,918 total laboratory-confirmed cases 
• New Castle County cases: 1,829
• Kent County cases: 773
• Sussex County cases: 2,292
• Unknown County: 24
• Females: 2,645; males: 2,251; unknown: 22
• Age range: 0 to 103 
• Currently hospitalized: 281; Critically ill: 58; this data represents individuals currently hospitalized in a Delaware hospital regardless of residence, and is not cumulative.
• Delawareans recovered: 1,403
• 17,667 negative cases

Additional demographic data on COVID-19 cases and deaths, including race/ethnicity, more age-specific data and rates information by ZIP code, can be found on the Division of Public Health’s My Healthy Community data portal. The data on My Healthy Community will supplement, not replace, the daily case data displayed on de.gov/coronavirus.

Delaware is considering patients fully recovered seven days after the resolution of their symptoms. Three days after symptoms resolve, patients are no longer required to self-isolate at home; however, they must continue to practice strict social distancing for the remaining four days before returning to their normal daily routine. 

Long-term Care Statistics

As of  6 p.m. April 30, there have been a total of 322 positive COVID-19 cases confirmed cumulatively involving long-term care residents and 102 residents of Delaware long-term care facilities have died from complications related to COVID-19.

Forty-three deaths have occurred in long-term care facilities in Sussex County, notably 27 deaths at Genesis Healthcare in Milford and 9 deaths at Harrison House Senior Living in Georgetown.

Other Sussex facilities reporting deaths include Atlantic Shores Rehabilitation and Health Center, Millsboro, 3 deaths; Harbor Healthcare and Rehabilitation, Lewes, 3 deaths, and Brandywine Senior Living at Seaside Point, Rehoboth Beach, 1 death. 

Long-term care facilities statewide report the following deaths:

• Brackenville Center, Genesis Healthcare, Hockessin: 3
• Brandywine Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Wilmington: 9
• Cadia Broadmeadow, Middletown: 3
• Delaware Psychiatric Center, New Castle: 2
• Delaware Hospital for the Chronically Ill, Smyrna:4
• Governor Bacon Health Center, Delaware City :1 
• Hillside Center, Wilmington: 3
• Little Sisters of the Poor, Newark:11 
• Methodist Country House, Wilmington: 3
• New Castle Health and Rehabilitation Center, New Castle: 6
• Parkview Nursing and Rehabilitation, Wilmington: 3 
• Pinnacle Rehabilitation and Health Center, Smyrna: 4
• Seven other New Castle County long-term care facilities: 1 death at each facility