DPH Invites Public Comment on 2023 Delaware Statewide Health Assessment

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The Delaware Division of Public Health and the Delaware SHA/SHIP Partnership Coalition want your input on the draft 2023 Delaware State Health Assessment (SHA). This is a statewide assessment identifying the primary health needs of Delawareans, which is conducted every five years. It will inform the co-creation of a State Health Improvement Plan (SHIP) with…

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First Detection of West Nile Virus Found in DE Sentinel Chickens

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The first detections of West Nile Virus have been found in sentinel chickens in all three counties in Delaware. DNREC officials say the initial occurrence was found in 8 sentinel chickens sampled on July 22 by the Mosquito Control Section – tests showed positive for West Nile Virus by the DPH Lab on July 24th…

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DPH Records 6 Flu Deaths in DE – 2 in Sussex County

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Since the 2023-24 flu season began, Delaware Public Health officials report there have been six deaths in the First State. The first death was in December. All have been over the age of 55 with one who was reportedly up-to-date on their flu vaccination. DPH reports that 3 were from New Castle County, 2 from…

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First 3 Human Cases of West Nile Virus Found in DE

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Delaware has it’s first 3 cases of West Nile Virus in humans – all are in New Castle County. Delaware Public Health officials say all three cases are in men aged 50 and older. They were all hospitalized due to infection from the mosquito-borne illness and it’s believed that all three contracted the illness locally…

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DE Monthly Overdose Deaths Continue to Rise

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Delaware Public Health officials are seeing an increase in suspected overdose deaths in Delaware since last November. Officials say suspected accidental overdose data is reported by the Division of Forensic Science and is considered preliminary until all data is finalized. The increase of suspected overdose deaths since November is 18.4%. Public Health officials say there…

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Covid-19 Cases Possibly Linked to Leg Hall; DPH Advises Masking & Social Distancing or Virtual Meetings

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Delaware Public Health reports that multiple positive cases of COVID-19 could be related to several in-person events last week in and around Legislative Hall. Out of an abundance of caution, Public Health officials are offering recommendations to those planning to attend Joint Finance Committee hearings beginning Tuesday Jan. 31, to mask and use social distancing…

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DPH to Close Covid-19 & Vaccine Call Centers

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Due to a low volume of calls – Delaware Public Health will close the Covid-19 call center and the vaccine call center after Tuesday, January 31st. Critical Covid-19 information will still be available on the DPH Coronavirus website or by calling 2-1-1. Additional information from DPH: Delawareans may still access critical COVID-19 information on the…

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DPH: Post-holiday Surge of Covid-19 Less that 2022

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The expected increase in post-holiday Covid-19 cases and hospitalizations has been taking place in the past two weeks – however Delaware Public Health officials say the increase in not as high as the 2022 post-holiday surge. DPH officials urge caution – stay home if you’re sick, test when symptoms appear or if exposed to someone…

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DNREC, DPH Now Accepting Wastewater, Surface Water and Drinking Water Planning Grant Proposals

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Delaware government agencies, county and municipal governments, and conservation districts can now submit proposals to the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) and the Delaware Division of Public Health to receive matching grants for wastewater, surface water and drinking water project planning. You must send your proposal by 4:30 p.m., Wednesday, Feb.…

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DPH Announces First Flu-related Death in Delaware

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Delaware Public Health officials say the state has had its first suspected flu-related death. Officials say a Kent County resident between the ages of 55 and 64 was not reported as being vaccinated against the flu. Public Health officials say the flu started early this year – and has been very active in the First…

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DPH Launches ‘My Health Community’ Influenza Dashboard

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The Delaware Division of Public Health has launched a My Healthy Community Influenza Dashboard. This will share weekly and seasonal data on positive cases, hospitalizations, deaths and vaccinations in the state in an effort to provide an accurate picture of flu activity in Delaware. The number of flu cases in Delaware has increased since the…

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DPH Community Assessments Underway to Improve Future Health in DE

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As part of the Delaware State Health Improvement Plan (SHIP), the Delaware Division of Public Health will conduct a series of community health assessments. These health assessments will help improve understanding of the health concerns and needs of Delaware communities and to improve the future health in Delaware. DPH has partnered with the University of…

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DPH Releases Annual Cancer Incidence & Mortality Report

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Delaware’s cancer death rate continues to decline. The Division of Public Health says that between 2005 and 2019, mortality rates for cancer at all locations throughout the body has decreased an average of 1.7% per year – both in Delaware and the U-S. However Delaware remains 15th highest in the U-S for the the period…

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DPH to Expand Monkeypox Vaccination Access Again

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Delaware Public Health is again expanding opportunities for getting vaccinated against the monkeypox virus. There are 35 reported cases in Delaware – 23 in New Castle County, 3 in Kent County and 9 in Sussex County. Vaccine eligibility is being expanded to include all gay, bisexual and transgender or nonbinary persons having sex with men,…

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DPH Launches New Fentanyl Test Strip Distribution

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Fentanyl test strips will now be included in Narcan kits that are distributed by Delaware Public Health to the public. This will help to prevent accidental overdoses due to fentanyl consumption, which is now the leading cause in drug overdose deaths in the First State, found in more than 80% of fatal overdoses.  According to Division of Forensic Science (DFS) data,…

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New Covid-19 Cases Lower But Still a Concern

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The number of new cases of Covid-19 has declined since July, but Delaware Public Health officials say the disease is still among us – with higher levels in Kent and Sussex Counties. Case levels in New Castle County are listed as medium. Delawareans are urged to continue safe practices such as masking in crowded indoor…

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EEE Found in NCCo Sentinel Chicken

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A northern New Castle County sentinel chicken has tested positive for Eastern Equine Encephalitis or EEE. This is the first positive detection this summer in a sentinel chicken – it was tested on August 9th. There have been 5 positive cases of West Nile Virus in sentinel chickens, however, there have been no positive equine…

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CDC Raises DE Covid-19 Community Levels to High Statewide

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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) raised Delaware’s COVID-19 community levels to the High category (red) in all three counties on July 28, 2022.   As a result, the Division of Public Health (DPH) is asking Delawareans to follow the CDC’s key strategies at this level of community spread:   Wear a well-fitting mask in indoor…

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Del. Overdose Deaths Reach Monthly High In May 2022

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Delaware health officials are concerned that more lives may be lost at a faster rate due to overdose connected to deadly fentanyl or the increasing use of cocaine.According to Delaware Health and Social Services, 42 people died in May of suspected overdoses, based on findings from the Delaware Division of Forensic Science. That is a…

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DPH UPDATE: Covid-19 Cases Increasing in DE; Flu Season Still Here

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The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) reports an increase in COVID-19 cases since the previous monthly COVID-19 update released on April 22, 2022. While COVID-19 cases are increasing in Delaware, hospitalizations and deaths remain significantly lower when compared to the winter surge. DPH continues to encourage Delawareans to get tested if they exhibit symptoms of COVID-19 or have been exposed…

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