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

Delawareā€™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.Ā  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 …

Lead in Delaware Schools

General Assembly to hold virtual forum on lead in schools

Charlie MegginsonHeadlines, Health

The General Assembly will hold a public forum next week focused on the recent discovery of lead in the water supplies of nearly 50 Delaware school buildings. The virtual forum will be held Monday, Nov. 14 at 7:30 p.m. ā€œLike many parents throughout Delaware, my fellow legislators and I are very concerned about the presence of any lead in the …

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 …

Dozens of schools in Delaware have been identified as having lead contaminants in their water supply.

William Penn among 22 schools with elevated levels of lead in water

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Education

The bad news: Colonial School District expects to pay at least $350,000 to repair a water main suspected of bringing lead into its buildings. The good news: None of the water is reaching students or workers. As soon as Colonial was notified, school fountains were turned off, while sinks and toilets are allowed to run, because lead is not absorbed …

monkeypoximage

3 new cases of monkeypox found in Delaware

Staff WriterHeadlines, Health

A 42-year-old Kent County man and two New Castle County men, 19 and 24, have become the fourth, fifth and sixth Delawareans to test positive for monkeypox. The risk to the general public in Delaware remains low, the Division of Public Health said Thursday. None of the individuals reported recent travel. While at least one individual confirmed close intimate contact …

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Delaware’s top doctor to step down

Charlie MegginsonHeadlines, Health

Dr. Karryl Rattay will leave her post as director of the Delaware Division of Public Health on June 30.Ā  Rattay took the job in 2009 during the swine flu pandemic. She is currently the nationā€™s longest-serving public health director. ā€œIt has been the greatest honor of my lifetime to serve Delawareans in this role,ā€ Rattay said Friday. ā€œI am grateful …

Remdesivir

State launches one-stop shop for COVID testing, treatment

Charlie MegginsonHeadlines, Health

The Delaware Division of Public Health on Thursday announced the launch of the COVID-19 test-to-treat program. The program is aimed at providing convenient testing and treatment options in one location. Test-to-treat locations are designed to be a ā€œone-stop shopā€ for individuals seeking diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19 within five days of showing symptoms. How the program works: If you have …

Fox

Rehoboth Beach fox tests positive for rabies

Charlie MegginsonHeadlines, Health

DNREC photo. A fox in Rehoboth Beach tested positive for rabies after an out-of-state visitor came into contact with the animal. The incident occurred on Friday, March 18 in the vicinity of Bayard Avenue and Philadelphia Street. The Delaware Division of Public Health is now advising Sussex County residents who live or spend time near that area to take caution. …

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DPH will text you if you test positive for COVID-19

Charlie MegginsonGovernment, Headlines, Health

The Delaware Division of Public Health now plans to text you if you have COVID-19. The DPH Contact Tracing Team has launched a pre-call text messaging initiative to individuals who test positive for COVID-19.Ā  It involves sending a text message to COVID-positive individuals and providing initial isolation guidance and recommendations through a secure web platform before they receive a call …

Gov. Carney declares state of emergency over omicron wave

Charlie MegginsonGovernment, Headlines, Health

Delaware will be under a state of emergency effective Jan. 3, 2022. (Getty Images/Kameleon007) Gov. John Carney on Thursday declared a state of emergency to address the highly contagious COVID-19 omicron variant.Ā  The state of emergency will take effect Jan. 3, 2022 and is not expected to have any immediate impact on businesses. He announced the declaration during a virtual …