On Wednesday morning the Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) update on the number of positive cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) reported in the state to 104.
At last check, there have been 104 total laboratory-confirmed cases in the state since March 11. Of the Delawareans diagnosed with COVID-19, 71 are from New Castle County, 10 are from Kent County, and 23 are from Sussex County.
The individuals range in age from 1 to 90. Eleven individuals are currently hospitalized; five are critically ill. The source of exposure for many of these positive cases is unknown, which indicates community spread of the virus is occurring in the state, according to officials.\
On Tuesday the Delaware Department of Services for Children, Youth and Their Families (DSCYF) announced that two people associated with their agency have tested positive fo COVID-19.
A youth residing at one of DSCYF’s contracted community-based programs has tested positive for the coronavirus. Once the youth presented with a fever and cough, the youth was immediately separated. Staff that interacted with the youth were using personal protective equipment and the facility was being continuously cleaned. The youth is now recuperating at home. The Department is reaching out to the families of children in this program and working with staff across our Department to identify any potential exposure risks for staff and youth.
Additionally, a staff member working in an administrative building tested positive for coronavirus. The staff member is currently isolated at home. The area where the staff member was stationed was immediately closed off to others working within the building and was cleaned and disinfected according to guidance from the State of Delaware and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Cleaning has been ongoing and continuous at the Department, even prior to this positive test. The Department has notified impacted staff members and is following up appropriately regarding exposure risks.
To protect personal health information, DPH will not disclose additional information about the individuals. DPH cannot confirm specific information even if other entities choose to make their own announcements.
If you think you have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, or have symptoms of illness, make sure to distance yourself from others, particularly vulnerable populations. This includes people 60 years of age and older; people with serious chronic health conditions such as diabetes, lung disease, heart disease; or those who are immunocompromised.
For individuals who are sick, particularly with fever and cough, or shortness of breath, stay home and contact your primary care provider for guidance regarding symptoms and next steps.
As of Monday, March 23, 2020, statewide testing at standing health facility testing sites began. These are not walk-in testing sites. A physician’s order or prescription is required for testing at one of the standing test sites (* Bayhealth patients will be pre-screened via phone without needing to see a provider first). Those without a primary care provider can call the DPH Call Center Line at 1-888-408-1899. Individuals awaiting test results should wait to hear back from their medical provider. The DPH Call Center does not have test results.
Officials with DPH said that approximately 80 percent of individuals infected with COVID-19 recover by resting, drinking plenty of liquids and taking pain and fever-reducing medications. However, illness can be severe and require hospitalization in some cases. In a televised White House townhall on Tuesday US Surgeon General Jerome Adams said that 90% of the over 370,000 COVID-19 tests performed to date came back negative for the virus. Of those that tested positive 98 to 99% are recovering said, Adams.
Delawareans with general 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 711 for individuals who are hearing-impaired, from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Questions can also be submitted by email at [email protected].