VIDEO: Gov Carney’s Weekly Coronavirus Update
Most of Delaware’s coronavirus numbers continue to fall. Public Health Director, Dr. Karyl Rattay says the number of new positive cases has hit it’s lowest mark since March of 2020 – at 20 statewide – 9 each in New Castle and Sussex Counties and 2 in Kent. Hospitalizations did add 9 to Sunday – with 40 on Monday with much of the increase in New Castle County. The 7-day average of all positive tests is holding at 2% statewide. In New Castle County the percent positive is at 1.5%, Sussex is at 0.8% and Kent is holding steady with 0. Public Health has reported no deaths from coronavirus since last Friday. Health officials are keeping an eye on the different coronavirus variants in Delaware – the UK and New York are the most prominent however the India variant, is one they are watching as it is more contagious and may bring more significant health consequences, increased from 1 finding just 2 weeks ago to 7 this week. Not every coronavirus test is tested for variants – only a sampling.
Many colleges are requiring students be fully vaccinated before classes begin in the fall. Dr. Rattay says that new guidance from the CDC says that schools that require students and staff to be fully vaccinated can return to the classroom like before the virus – full capacity, no face coverings or social distancing. However, schools that don’t require full vaccination will need to use layers of mitigation to keep everyone safe – face masks, social distancing, contact tracing, testing, etc. Most schools that are requiring vaccination want students to be vaccinated by mid-August.
Vaccinations continue – but not as strongly as they were from February through April. Delaware is offering incentives for those who have not yet been vaccinated to do so. For the younger age groups there are concert tickets, state park passes, scholarships to a public Delaware University and cash. Everyone who has been vaccinated since December is entered to win $302,000 and 2 low-number Delaware license tags. Businesses around the state are also offering incentives for people to get vaccinated. Using the CDC’s numbers – of people 18 and older who have received at least one dose of vaccine – Delaware is close to the 70% goal – at 67.6%.
67% of Delawareans who are 50 and older have gotten at least one dose of vaccine. However 52% of those 49 and younger have received at least one dose of vaccine. The younger age groups are more likely to be around people who are not vaccinated – and are more at risk of spreading the virus.
A recent study by the CDC showed adolescent hospitalization rates for 12 to 17 year olds are higher. Dr. Rattay says that about 1/3 of the 12 to 17 year olds who required hospitalization were admitted to intensive care and 5% needed a ventilator. From October 2020 to April 2021 – the number of 12 to 17 year olds hospitalized for coronavirus was 3-times higher than that for flu in the last three flu seasons.
