COVID masks

Mask mandate unlikely if Pirola causes COVID case surge

Betsy PriceGovernment, Headlines

It’s unlikely that a new surge of COVID-19 cases would trigger a mask mandate or switch to virtual schools, said the chief physician at the Division of Public Health. “At this point, we’ve had three years of experience,” said Dr. Greg Wanner, who also is an emergency physician. “We have now widespread availability of effective vaccines and treatments, which we …

COVD-19

Winter 2023 COVID-19 surge far lower than 2022

Betsy PriceHeadlines, Health

The number of post-holiday COVID-19 cases is dramatically down this year than it was last January, according to the Delaware Division of Public Health. This time last year, the state saw 3,666 new cases reported on Jan. 6 with 759 hospitalizations on Jan. 12. This year, there were 266 new cases reported on Jan. 6, with 202 hospitalizations (24 critical) …

DelawareLive Jan 1 1

Delaware LIVE Weekly Review – Jan. 1, 2023

Sonja FreyDelaware Live, Weekly Review

Click on the image below to view as a PDF This Week’s Top Headlines Include: January A perfect storm for schools, teachers: No subs, bus woes, COVID As revenues rise, Republicans say taxpayers should get some money back February Renter, landlord advocates disagree over solutions to eviction crisis Child care workers still waiting for promised $1,500 state bonuses March Pike …

Delawareans line up at DelTech in Dover to be tested before the Thanksgiving break.

Delaware to close Curative COVID-19 test sites

Staff WriterHeadlines, Health

Delaware’s COVID-19 testing partner Curative Inc. will not renew its contract with the state when it expires in two weeks. Wednesday, Dec. 28 will be the last day for Curative test site collection.  Other Curative sites, such as the one located at the University of Delaware, have already closed. The last day for Curative testing at Delaware State Service Centers …

Leg Hall

Carney extends health emergency to protect hospital capacity

Charlie MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

Not everyone is thrilled about Gov. John Carney’s decision to extend Delaware’s COVID-19 public health emergency for another 30 days. The order “aims to help protect capacity at our health care facilities and it enables the state to maintain eligibility for federal funding or assistance,” said Charlie Quimby, a spokesman for the governor’s office. Charlie Copeland, co-director of the Caesar …

ChristianaCare Hospital Wilmington

ChristianaCare lifts COVID-19 visitation restrictions

Staff WriterHeadlines, Health

ChristianaCare has lifted its COVID-19 visitation restrictions at its hospitals. The company’s mask mandate will remain in place. In a news release Wednesday, the health system said it will return to its pre-COVID visitation policy.  Effective immediately: Hospitalized patients may accept visitors between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m. The number of visitors per patient is not restricted. Hospital visitors must …

RSV virus

COVID, flu, RSV case rise could mean holiday tripledemic

Betsy PriceHealth, Headlines

  As the number of cases of three winter respiratory viruses rise sharply in Delaware, state officials on Monday asked residents to take action to protect themselves and their families. Gov. John Carney compared the increasing numbers of COVID to rises at this time in 2020 and 2021, leading into the holidays. State health officials would like to avoid a …

Flu Data

New online dashboard lets you track flu data

Charlie MegginsonHeadlines, Health

Delaware’s state health agency launched an online dashboard Wednesday to track weekly and seasonal influenza data, including positive cases, hospitalizations, deaths and vaccinations. The Division of Public Health said in a news release that the dashboard will provide an accurate picture of flu activity among Delawareans, and make data readily and easily available. The system will be updated with local …

Rental

If you’re looking for a rental home, you already know this

Charlie MegginsonBusiness, Headlines

Delaware’s rental vacancy rate has fallen to the third lowest in the country, according to recently released U.S. Census Bureau data.  The vacancy rate indicates the percentage of year-round rental units that are unoccupied at the end of each quarter.  According to the Census Bureau, only 2.6% of Delaware’s year-round rental units were vacant at the end of June.  Only …

text, letter

House votes to make vaccine card forgery a felony

Charlie MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

The Delaware House of Representatives on Tuesday voted to make it a class G felony to forge a vaccination document, including but not limited to COVID-19 vaccine cards. House Substitute 1 for House Bill 302, sponsored by Rep. Paul Baumbach, D-Newark, clarifies that the creation or possession of an altered or fake vaccination document is forgery in the second degree. …