The Division of Public Health had its Joint Finance Committee hearing Tuesday. (Photo by tashatuvango/Adobe Stock)

Public Health seeks $3.5 million more in 2025 state budget

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Government, Health

Editor’s note: This report has been updated to reflect that Medicaid is not overseen by Public Health The Delaware Division of Public Health wants a 2025 budget of $167.4 million, but about $3.5 million of that is not in the governor’s recommended budget. That puzzled the chair of the state Joint Finance Committee, which writes the state budget. It’s in …

lung cancer

Delaware to offer statewide lung cancer screening Saturday

Betsy PriceHeadlines, Culture

Delaware on Saturday, Nov. 12, will become the first to offer statewide lung cancer screening, using five facilities up and down the state. The day was chosen deliberately to remove barriers for people who can’t make it Monday through Friday because they work, or have to rely on someone who does. It also coincides with the American Cancer Society’s National …

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 …

National Drug Enforcement Administration Prescription Drug Take Back Day

State drug take-back day collections rise 9% over fall

Betsy PriceCulture, Headlines

The amount of prescription drugs turned in during Delaware’s spring Drug Take-Back day was up 9% this year. The event held April 22 brought in 4,629 pounds of unused or expired medication from 22 locations, compared to last fall’s 4,200 pounds. The event, sponsored nationally by the federal Drug Enforcement Administration and handled locally by the Delaware Division of Public …

Delaware will close its COVID-19 call centers Tuesday, Jan. 31.

Public Health to close COVID-19 call centers Tuesday

Betsy PriceHeadlines, Health

In another sign that COVID-19 is becoming a part of ordinary life, the Delaware Division of Public Health will close its COVID-19 call center and vaccine call center Tuesday because the number of calls has dwindled. It’s one more indication that the state and the federal government are starting to consider how to handle the ebbing of the pandemic as …

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) …

flu virus

Delaware flu cases plateau, but will holidays trigger rise?

Betsy PriceHeadlines, Health

The week after the state announced the first flu death of the season, the number of confirmed flu cases dropped for two weeks in a row, leading to hopes that infections may have plateaued. The drop to 1,014 cases for the week ending Dec. 17, follows a small decline from 1,125 cases the previous week and 1,154 cases the week …

Red Clay had six schools identified for having dangerous levels of lead in their water supply. (Unsplash)

Red Clay to independently test for lead in school water

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Education

A Red Clay Consolidated School District committee will hire an independent group to test for lead in water at district schools. The Lead in Water Action Committee will work with Batta, an environmental lab company that conducts tests for lead in water. “At this time we are working with our community experts, our facilities and maintenance department, and Batta to …

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 …

National Drug Enforcement Administration Prescription Drug Take Back Day

Dump old, unused meds during Saturday’s Take Back Day

Betsy PriceCulture, Headlines

  Twenty-two Delaware sites will take expired or unused medications on Saturday, Oct. 29, as part of the National Drug Enforcement Administration Prescription Drug Take Back Day. Delaware locations will be open between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. and include many police stations around the First State. To find a site near you, go here. The medications to be disposed …