DPH Update: 143 Additional Positive Cases; 5 New Deaths; 166 Additional Recovered
The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) is announcing five additional fatalities related to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and is providing an update on the number of positive cases and recovered individuals. All data reported through the daily updates are based on data received as of 6:00 p.m. the previous day.
In advance of the Memorial Day weekend, DPH is providing the following updated guidance for individuals who have questions about coronavirus or concerns about persons violating the Governor’s State of Emergency Orders:
Individuals who have complaints about out-of-state individuals violating the Governor’s State of Emergency Order, or violating the public gathering restrictions, should contact state or local law enforcement. Concerns that a businesses may be violating operating restrictions should be directed to: COVID.DOJ@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, or email info@delaware211.org. Individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing can text their ZIP code to 898-211. Hours of operation are 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 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 total, 322 Delawareans have passed away due to complications from COVID-19. Individuals who have died from COVID-19 ranged in age from 21 to 103 years old. Of those who have died, 166 were females and 156 were males. A total of 146 individuals were from New Castle County, 56 were from Kent County, 119 were from Sussex County, and one individual’s county of residence is unknown at this time.
The most recent deaths announced today ranged in age from 39 to 90. Three were female and two were male. Two were New Castle County residents, one was a Kent County resident, and two were Sussex County residents. Four of the individuals had underlying health conditions. Three of the individuals were residents of long-term care facilities.
To protect personal health information, DPH will not confirm specific information about any individual case, even if other persons or entities disclose it independently.
The latest Delaware COVID-19 case statistics* cumulatively since March 11, provided as of 6 p.m., Thursday, May 21, include:
- 8,529 total positive cases
- New Castle County cases: 3,132
- Kent County cases: 1,296
- Sussex County cases: 4,048
- Unknown County: 53
- Females: 4,674; Males: 3,818 Unknown: 37
- Age range: 0 to 103
- Currently hospitalized: 221; Critically ill: 44 (This data represents individuals currently hospitalized in a Delaware hospital regardless of residence, and is not cumulative.)
- Delawareans recovered: 4,296
- 40,457 negative cases**
*Data are provisional and subject to change.
**Data on negative cases are preliminary, based on negative results reported to DPH by state and commercial laboratories performing analysis.
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.
Significant statewide expansion of the state’s COVID-19 testing program, in partnership with Delaware’s hospital systems, community health care centers, primary care providers, and long-term care facilities will allow the State of Delaware to conduct 80,000 tests monthly.
The State of Delaware will hold a saliva-based COVID-19 testing event this weekend. Prior to attending, watch the following videos available in English and Spanish to learn about how to perform the test, in English: de.gov/testing, in Spanish: de.gov/pruebas. Please do not eat, drink, or brush your teeth 20 minutes prior to the test.
- Sunday, May 24 – Dover DMV
10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, May 24, at the Dover DMV, 303 Transportation Circle, Dover. Pre-register at delaware.curativeinc.com to reserve your place and reduce wait time. Limited on-site registration will be available.
As additional testing sites are scheduled, more information will be provided on the testing section of the Delaware coronavirus website at: https://coronavirus.delaware.gov/testing/.
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. Thursday. There have been a total of 607 positive COVID-19 cases cumulatively involving long-term care residents, and 208 residents of Delaware long-term care facilities have died from complications related to COVID-19.
The locations and number of deaths related to long-term care facilities are:
- Atlantic Shores Rehabilitation and Health Center, Millsboro (10) 
- Brackenville Center, Genesis Healthcare, Hockessin (11)
- Brandywine Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Wilmington (16)
- Cadia Broadmeadow, Middletown (7)
- Delaware Psychiatric Center, New Castle (3)
- Delaware Hospital for the Chronically Ill, Smyrna (7)
- Governor Bacon Health Center, Delaware City (1) 
- Harbor Healthcare and Rehabilitation, Lewes (13)
- Harrison House Senior Living, Georgetown (21)
- Hillside Center, Wilmington (3)
- Little Sisters of the Poor, Newark (11) 
- ManorCare Health Services, Wilmington (9)
- ManorCare Health Services, Pike Creek (5)
- Methodist Country House, Wilmington (3)
- Milford Center, Genesis Healthcare, Milford (31) 
- New Castle Health and Rehabilitation Center, New Castle (7)
- Newark Manor Nursing Home, Newark (5)
- Parkview Nursing and Rehabilitation, Wilmington (12) 
- Pinnacle Rehabilitation and Health Center, Smyrna (14)
- Regal Heights Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center, Hockessin (2)
- Summit Assisted Living, Hockessin (3)
- Westminster Village, Dover (6)
- Seven other New Castle County long-term care facilities (1 death at each facility)
- One Sussex County long-term care facility (1 death at the facility)
If you are sick with any of the following symptoms, stay home: fever, cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, muscle fatigue, chills, shaking with chills, loss of smell or taste. Other symptoms such as headache or digestive symptoms (vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain or lack of appetite) have been identified as potential symptoms related to COVID-19 and may prompt further screening, action or investigation. If you are sick and need essential supplies, ask someone else to go to the grocery store or the pharmacy to get what you need.
If you believe you have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, or have symptoms of illness, make sure to distance yourself from others, particularly vulnerable populations. Older adults and people of any age with serious underlying medical conditions – including serious heart conditions, chronic lung conditions, including moderate to severe asthma, severe obesity and those who are immuno-compromised, including through cancer treatment – may have a higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19.
The hospital systems in Delaware continue to offer testing through standing health facility testing sites. These testing sites require a physician’s order or prescription to be tested (*Bayhealth patients will be pre-screened via phone without needing to see a provider first). These are not walk-in testing sites. Those without a primary care provider can call the DPH Call Center Line at 1-866-408-1899. In New Castle County, individuals can call ChristianaCare at 1-302-733-1000 and Sussex County residents who do not have a provider can call the Beebe COVID-19 Screening Line at 302-645-3200. Individuals awaiting test results should wait to hear back from their medical provider. The DPH Call Center does not have test results.
In addition, the Division of Public Health asks any Delaware health care, 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.
