COVID cases decline; more than 200,0000 vaccines given; state continues testing

 

 

As the number of COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations continue to decline, the state has now given 204,000 vaccines but is still urging people to be tested, partly to help track and contain any of the new, more infectious versions of the coronavirus.

The state this week also created a program that will allow residents to report any violations of state vaccine policy, formally issued an order governing second doses, and said it would vaccination thousands of child care workers Saturday in Dover.

The Delaware Division of Public Health said that as of Thursday, 86,098 Delaware residents have tested positive as the seven-day average of new cases decreased to 274.7. The seven-day average for the percentage of persons who tested positive jumped slightly during the week to 21.4%, up from 18.9% the week before. The average for the percentage of total tests that were positive also jumped slightly to 5.2%.

Only 156 people are hospitalized, a third of the winter surge peak. That’s down 17 during the week, and 26 are in critical condition, up six from last week.

DPH said 1,418 Delawareans have died from COVID-19, 75 more than last week.

Health officials have now found 12 cases of the British variant of the coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.7. The cases include 11 adults ranging in age from 18-65, as well as a child under the age of 10. Eight individuals were from New Castle County and four were from Kent County. That variant was blamed for soaring cases there, and health officials urge people to continue following COVID precautions, such as wearing a mask, avoiding crowds and social distancing.

The University of Delaware, concerned about the rapid rise in the number of new cases since students returned two weeks ago, this week instituted new COVID rules, including not allowing visitors in the dorms, telling students not to eat together and closing the cafeterias except for takeout.

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Vaccines

As of midnight Thursday, the state said 204,389 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been put into arms. The state expected to give 18,000 or more second doses at the FEMA drive-through held during the week at the Dover Speedway.

A total of 227,520 doses have been delivered to the state, and 45,305 doses have been delivered as part of the federal pharmacy program.

New second dose, vaccine supply rules

A new order from the Delaware Division of Public Health requires health care/vaccination providers to administer the second dose of a two-dose series to persons who received a first dose from them, if requested. The new order says a second dose takes a higher priority than giving someone else a first dose if there is not enough vaccine available to do both.

The new rules say that vaccine providers must administer a second dose to patients of record who have gotten their first one somewhere else.

Public Health also is requiring vaccination providers to report inventory daily to Vaccine Finder, a national web-based system that allows providers to report levels of supply. Those who don’t face a fine between $100 and $1,000 per day. Repeated failures may mean they no long can give the shots.

The state also wants anyone who believes a vaccination provider is violating any of the requirements to email them the information at [email protected].

Read the official orders and information: Second dose requirements; the order to report inventory; and requirements and penalties for non-compliance.

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State to vaccinate child care workers

About 2,500 Delaware child care providers will be vaccinated Saturday at a drive-thru COVID-19 vaccination event at Dover International Speedway.  The event is a partnership between FEMA and other federal and state groups.

The Delaware Department of Education said more than 4,000 K-12 personnel and roughly 700 child care providers have been vaccinated as of mid-week. They are part of the Phase 1B group. The state has focused mostly on vaccinated people aged 65 and older in that group, because they are at higher risk of dying if infected by the coronavirus. Tens of thousands of older people have not yet received their first dose.

This is an invitation-only event.  A registration link was sent to child care providers mid-week.

Child care workers vaccinated Saturday will receive their second doses through a similar future event.

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Where to be tested the week of March 1

New Castle County

• Monday, March 1 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.: Frawley Stadium (801 Shipyard Drive, Wilmington) Register: delaware.curativeinc.com
• Tuesday, March 2 from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.: Warner Elementary School (801 W. 18^th St., Wilmington) Register: delaware.curativeinc.com
• Wednesday, March 3 from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.: Middletown High School (120 Silver Lake Road, Middletown) Register: delaware.curativeinc.com
• Wednesday, March 3 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.: St. Joseph Church (1012 N. French St., Wilmington) Register: delaware.curativeinc.com
• Wednesday, March 3 from 12 p.m. – 4 p.m.: ChristianaCare Hospital, Wilmington 601 Parking Lot (601 Delaware Ave., Wilmington) Register: delaware.curativeinc.com
• Wednesday, March 3 from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. and 5 p.m. – 7 p.m.: Henrietta Johnson Medical Center (601 New Castle Ave., Wilmington)  Register by calling 302-655-6187
• Thursday, March 4 from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.: Wilmington University Brandywine Campus (10 Beaver Valley Road, Wilmington) Register: delaware.curativeinc.com
• Thursday, March 4 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.: Hockessin United Methodist Church (7250 Lancaster Pike, Hockessin) Register: delaware.curativeinc.com
• Thursday, March 4 from 1 p.m. – 7 p.m.: Henrietta Johnson Medical Center (601 New Castle Ave., Wilmington)  Register by calling 302-655-6187
• Friday, March 5 from 2 p.m. – 6 p.m.: Thomas Edison Charter School (Indoor walk up – 2200 Locust St., Wilmington)  Register: delaware.curativeinc.com
• Friday, March 5 from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.: Delaware Park (777 Delaware Park Blvd., Wilmington) Register: delaware.curativeinc.com
• Friday, March 5 from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.: University of Delaware Laird Campus Lot No. 6 (David Hollowell Drive, Newark) Register: delaware.curativeinc.com
• Friday, March 5 from 5 p.m. – 7 p.m.: Henrietta Johnson Medical Center (601 New Castle Ave., Wilmington)  Register by calling 302-655-6187
• Saturday, March 6 from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.: University of Delaware STAR Campus (540 S. College Ave., Newark) Register: delaware.curativeinc.com
• Saturday, March 6 from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.: Henrietta Johnson Medical Center (601 New Castle Ave., Wilmington)  Register by calling 302-655-6187

 

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Kent County

• Monday, March 1 from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.: Hartly Fire Co. (2898 Arthursville Road, Hartly) Register: delaware.curativeinc.com
• Tuesday, March 2 from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.: Caesar Rodney High School (239 Old North Road, Camden) Register: delaware.curativeinc.com
• Thursday, March 4 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.: Bethel AME Smyrna (229 E. Commerce Street, Smyrna) Register: delaware.curativeinc.com
• Friday, March 5 from 2 p.m. – 7 p.m.: Milford High School (1019 N. Walnut St., Milford) Register: delaware.curativeinc.com
• Friday, March 5 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.: Power in Praise Ministries (14 Clark St., Harrington) Register: delaware.curativeinc.com

Sussex County

• Monday, March 1 from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.: Selbyville Fire Co. (30 N. Main St., Selbyville) Register: delaware.curativeinc.com
• Wednesday, March 3 from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.: Laurel Elementary School (815 South, N. Central Avenue, Laurel) Register: delaware.curativeinc.com
• Thursday, March 4 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.: Antioch AME Church (194 Clayton Ave., Frankford) Register: delaware.curativeinc.com
• Thursday, March 4 from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.: Blades Fire Co. (200 E 5^th St., Blades) Register: delaware.curativeinc.com
• Friday, March 5 from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.: Lord Baltimore Elementary School (120 Atlantic Ave., Ocean View) Register: delaware.curativeinc.com
• Friday, March 5 from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.: Woodbridge Early Childhood Education Center (400 Governors Ave., Greenwood) Register: delaware.curativeinc.com