UPDATED: 3 more cases of coronavirus in Delaware
UPDATED – 3/12/20 – 5pm – The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) is providing an update on the number of individuals currently being tested for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
In Delaware, DPH is currently monitoring 35 individuals. A total of 44 individuals have been tested for COVID-19, including the 4 individuals who tested positive for the disease. A total of 30 tests returned negative results, and 10 persons under investigation are awaiting test results.
Testing for coronavirus disease is not recommended for individuals who do not have any symptoms of illness. For individuals who have symptoms of illness (fever, cough, or shortness of breath), their primary care provider can collect specimens and send them to either the Delaware Public Health Lab or LabCorp for testing. Medical providers should evaluate patients and rule out other causes of illness first before recommending testing for COVID-19.
While testing for the disease at the Public Health Lab requires DPH approval, providers do not need DPH approval to submit test samples to LabCorp. With the addition of commercial lab testing now available, Delaware has enough capacity to accommodate its current testing needs. Providers can use flu kits to collect a nasal swab and include an additional oral swab for testing. Commercial labs are required to report testing and results to DPH.
Those at elevated risk for developing the disease is based on exposure due to travel to a country with a Level 2 Travel Alert or higher in the last 14 days; contact with someone who has a confirmed case of COVID-19; or older individuals (ages 65 and older) and those with chronic underlying health conditions.
Delawareans with 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 TTY at 1-800-232-5460 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, or email DPHCall@delaware.gov. For the latest on Delaware’s response, go to de.gov/coronavirus.
DPH will continue to update the public as more information becomes available. For more information, visit de.gov/coronavirus.
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The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) is announcing three additional presumptive positive cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
All three individuals are under the age of 30 and are associated with the University of Delaware community.
The individuals are not severely ill and are currently self-isolated at home. The individuals were exposed to the same confirmed case of COVID-19 in another state as the first Delaware case. Epidemiologists from the Division of Public Health are working with the patients to identify any close contacts of these individuals who were possibly exposed. If other people are found to have possibly been exposed, state health officials will provide guidance to these individuals and monitor them closely for the development of symptoms.
DPH will not be disclosing additional information about the individuals.
“We understand that news of additional cases is concerning to students, staff, and families in the University of Delaware community,” said DPH Director Dr. Karyl Rattay. “However, DPH is working closely with the administration at the University of Delaware on their coronavirus disease response.”
DPH has issued the following guidance for the University of Delaware community:
- Close contacts of these individuals, whether or not they have symptoms of illness including fever, cough, or shortness of breath, may return home during University of Delaware’s spring break. These individuals may not use public transportation to get home. They will need to remain home for at least 14 days after last contact with positive cases.
- Individuals who did not have contact with these individuals can return home and go about their daily lives. They should self-monitor for symptoms of COVID-19 and contact their primary contact provider if symptoms appear.
Students, faculty, and staff who have general questions about the University of Delaware’s response to COVID-19 can contact the University of Delaware’s Call Center at (302) 831-1188between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
