Delta variant continues to show up in Delaware
The Delta variant of COVID-19 continues to be the predominant virus strain as Delaware cases inch up, according to Delaware Division of Public Health data as of Aug. 5.
There are 71 individuals hospitalized due to COVID-19 in Delaware, an increase of 39 from last week; eight are critically ill, an increase of five from last week.
A total of 1,833 Delawareans have passed away due to complications from COVID-19. No deaths were reported in the last week; the last reported COVID-related death was on July 24. People who have died from COVID-19 in the state range in age from younger than 5 to 104 years old. Of those who have died, 928 were female and 905 were male. A total of 906 individuals were from New Castle County, 382 were from Kent County, and 545 were from Sussex County.
COVID-19 variant cases in Delaware
As of Aug. 6, the DPH has identified the following COVID-19 variants in Delaware through routine surveillance of test specimens. These variants are based on the CDC list of variants of concern and variants of interest. Forty-one percent of the test results sequenced over the last week were positive for a variant strain of COVID-19. Of the 27 variant-positive samples, the Delta variant was the predominant one, making up 89 percent of the variant strains.
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Variants of Concern |
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Variants of Interest |
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Variant |
Origin |
# of Cases |
Variant |
Origin |
# of Cases |
|
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Alpha/B.1.1.7 |
United Kingdom |
991 |
Eta/B.1.525 |
UK/Nigeria (formerly New York, US) |
2 |
|
|
Beta/B.1.351 |
South Africa |
1 |
Iota/B.1.526/B.1526.1 |
New York, US |
329 |
|
|
Gamma/P.1 |
Brazil |
63 |
Epsilon/B.1.427 |
California, US |
10 |
|
|
Delta/B.1.617.2 |
India |
80 |
Epsilon/B.1.429 |
California, US |
11 |
|
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|
|
|
|
|
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The Delaware Public Health Laboratory has sequenced 3,557 specimens for COVID-19 variant strains to date, including 58 within the past week. In aggregate, the cases included 1,222.
According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 73.2 percent of Delawareans ages 18+ have received at least one dose of the vaccine. As of Aug. 5, a total of 1,067,747 administered doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been reported to the state’s immunization information system, DelVAX. Among Delawareans ages 12+, 534,132 have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, and 474,050 Delawareans are fully vaccinated. Delaware’s latest COVID-19 vaccination statistics can be found on the Vaccine Tracker dashboard at de.gov/healthycommunity.
DPH, in partnership with medical staff from the Delaware National Guard, has launched mobile units to offer COVID-19 vaccines in underserved communities. Medically trained DNG staff are offering the Pfizer vaccine (for ages 12+) and the Johnson & Johnson vaccine (for persons 18+). These mobile units are visiting communities with low vaccination rates in an effort to eliminate potential barriers to access. Visits include 5 to 8 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 10, First Responder Night in Milford; 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 12, Laurel Senior Center, Laurel; and 1 to 3 p.m., Aug. 12, Save A Lot, Seaford. See a full list of community-based events statewide including those organized by vaccinating partners and community groups at de.gov/getmyvaccine.
Take-home COVID-19 test kits offered at Delaware libraries
Delawareans now can pick up a free COVID-19 rapid antigen test kit from a Delaware library location statewide (kits not available in Greenwood) to keep at home. These test kits can give quick results which are available in as little as 15 minutes. Library cards are not required to pick up a take-home test kit. Anyone with COVID symptoms should not come to a library for a test kit, but instead, visit one of the other fixed or community testing locations listed at de.gov/gettested.
