New data system results in 78 new COVID-19 cases; no deaths reported

No new deaths were reported June 26, but the Delaware Division of Public Health says there were 78 new positive cases of COVID-19 as the state transitions to a new data system.

While the total cumulative number of positive cases has increased by 37 between yesterday and today, the difference between the cumulative total increase and the increase in new cases is due to a data quality review during the transition to a new data surveillance system. This identified duplicate records in the data system, said Jen Brestel, DPH spokeswoman. Removing duplicate records results in changes to the overall cumulative statistics, she said, adding 78 new positive cases were reported.

“The cumulative total still goes up because there were more new cases (78) than there were duplicate records removed (about 40),” Brestel said. “If we had no new cases yesterday and only removed duplicates, the number would have gone down.”

In addition, Brestel said, as DPH works to stand up Delaware’s new contact tracing program, it will transition to a different data surveillance system. The DPH epidemiology team and NORC at the University of Chicago have been working to test the system and ensure all case information is captured during the transition as well as ensuring consistent data flow to the My Health Community portal. While DPH is working to minimize any interruptions over the next few days, she said, data updates may not be available Saturday, June 27.

A total of 507 Delawareans have passed away due to complications from COVID-19. Individuals who have died from COVID-19 ranged in age from 21 to 104 years old. Of those who have died, 268 were females and 239 were males. A total of 242 individuals were from New Castle County, 89 were from Kent County, and 176 were from Sussex County.

The latest Delaware COVID-19 case statistics cumulatively since March 11, provided as of 6 p.m., Thursday, June 25, include:

• 11,017 total positive cases
• New Castle County cases: 4,840
• Kent County cases: 1,635
• Sussex County cases: 4,519
• Unknown County: 23
• Females: 6,085; Males: 4,914; Unknown: 18
• Age range: 0 to 104
• Currently hospitalized: 78; Critically ill:15. (This data represents individuals currently hospitalized in a Delaware hospital regardless of residence, and is not  cumulative.)
• Delawareans recovered: 6,661
• 91,083 negative cases.

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 

Information related to positive cases and deaths among residents at long-term care facilities will be updated weekly each Friday, using information reported as of 6 p.m. There has been a total of 1,164 positive COVID-19 cases cumulatively involving long-term care residents, and 329 residents of Delaware long-term care facilities have died from complications related to COVID-19.

In addition, there has been a total of 461 positive cases, and one death, among staff members of Delaware long-term care facilities. Long-term care statistics reported by DPH are based on verified epidemiological surveillance data. Case data related to long-term care staff is limited to cases in which the individual self-identified as being a staff member at a long-term care facility during case investigation. Therefore, data reported may not be fully complete.

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 (17)
• Brandywine Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Wilmington (31)    
• Brandywine Living at Seaside Pointe (2)  
• Cadia Healthcare Broadmeadow, Middletown (10)    
• Cadia Healthcare Capitol, Dover (6)
• Cadia Healthcare Renaissance, Millsboro (3) 
• Cadia Healthcare North Wilmington/Silverside, Wilmington (3)
• Delaware Hospital for the Chronically Ill, Smyrna (9)  
• Governor Bacon Health Center, Delaware City (1)  
• HarborChase of Wilmington, Wilmington (4)
• Harbor Healthcare and Rehabilitation, Lewes (19)    
• Harrison House Senior Living, Georgetown (39)
• Hillside Center, Wilmington (3)    
• Little Sisters of the Poor, Newark (11)    
• ManorCare Health Services, Wilmington (13)
• ManorCare Health Services, Pike Creek (15)
• Methodist Country House, Wilmington (3)      
• Milford Center, Genesis Healthcare, Milford (33)
• Millcroft, Newark (2)
• New Castle Health and Rehabilitation Center, New Castle (9)    
• Newark Manor Nursing Home, Newark (11)
• Parkview Nursing and Rehabilitation, Wilmington (23)
• Pinnacle Rehabilitation and Health Center, Smyrna (23)
• Regal Heights Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center, Hockessin (4)  
• Summit Assisted Living, Hockessin (3)  
• Sunrise Assisted Living, Wilmington (2)   
• Westminster Village, Dover (7)  
• Five other New Castle County long-term care facilities (1 death at each facility) 
• One Sussex County long-term care facility (1 death at that facility) 

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.

Information about testing events, including community 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: https://coronavirus.delaware.gov/testing/.