Delaware Coronavirus Updates – 1/10/2022

Friends and neighbors,

The winter surge of COVID-19 is stretching our local hospitals past the point of their capacity.

To help slow the spread of the highly transmissible Omicron variant, Gov. John Carney today announced Delawareans will be required to wear masks in public spaces, starting at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, 1/11/2022. This includes stores, restaurants, bars, gyms, casinos, malls and hair salons. Houses of worship are exempt. No indoor capacity limits are being set at this time.

The governor on Monday also announced plans to extend the existing mask mandate for schools and child care facilities beyond Feb. 8 while steps are being taken to bolster the ranks of school staff by allowing recently retired teachers to return as substitutes.

Finally, the governor is deploying 70 additional members of the Delaware National Guard to help with non-clinical operations inside local hospitals statewide, starting Tuesday.

More than 300 members of the Delaware National Guard are assisting with COVID-19 response efforts – including support at vaccination and testing locations, help with PPE distribution, and hospital assistance. Roughly 110 members of the Guard – separate from the 70 members deployed on Monday – are training to serve as certified nursing assistants in health care settings statewide to take pressure off hospital systems.

Please do your part by wearing your mask in public places and getting vaccinated.

Vaccination remains the strongest protection against COVID-19. Click here to get yours.

Delawareans over the age of 12 who received their second shot over 6 months ago are encouraged to get their booster shot. Click here to find out where to get your booster.

Thank you,

Nicole Poore
Senator, District 12

Delaware Coronavirus Updates – 11/3/2021

Friends and neighbors,

Starting today, Delaware’s vaccine providers are now administering the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 pediatric vaccine to children ages 5 to 11.

Parents and guardians are encouraged to contact your child’s pediatrician to schedule a vaccination appointment. If your pediatrician is not offering the vaccine at this time, children also can be vaccinated at a limited number of large chain pharmacies, at federally qualified health centers if you are a patient, or at the following Division of Public Health pop up sites:

This announcement from the Delaware Division of Public Health comes after the FDA and CDC approved the Pfizer vaccine for children in this age group.

The reduced Pfizer dose for children was found to be more than 90% protective against developing symptomatic COVID-19.

For a complete list of locations where adult vaccines are available, visit de.gov/getmyvaccine.

MORE INFORMATION

Thank you,

Nicole Poore
Senator, District 12

Delaware Coronavirus Updates – 8/11/2021

Friends and neighbors,

COVID-19 cases are on the rise once again with the Delta variant causing a spike in hospitalizations, particularly among unvaccinated Delawareans.

Vaccinated Delawareans are less likely to suffer severe symptoms, but they can still contract the virus and spread the disease to others. Hospitals in COVID-19 hotspots are also reporting a spike in hospitalizations among children, sparking concerns that the now predominant Delta variant might pose a more serious threat to young people.

To help contain the spread, Governor John Carney this week announced that masks will be required indoors at Delaware K-12 schools and childcare facilities regardless of an individual’s vaccination status, starting Monday, Aug. 16. This requirement is consistent with guidance from the CDC.

Starting Monday, masks also will be required for state employees and visitors to Delaware state facilities.

We all saw last year how COVID-19 cases can ramp up in the fall.

If you have not been vaccinated already, please do your part now to save lives in the coming weeks and months by joining the roughly 72% of Delawareans 12 and older who have received at least one shot of the COVID-19 vaccine. If you have been vaccinated, encourage your friends, family and neighbors to do soo, too.

Click here to find a free COVID-19 vaccine provider near you.

For people who are unvaccinated, testing is the key to identifying and preventing additional infections.

Please get tested at least once a week if you choose to remain unvaccinated or have an underlying health condition that prevents you from getting vaccinated.

Click here for a full list of testing locations and options.

All schools and early learning facilities throughout the state are also offering free rapid antigen testing for staff and students.

You also can download the free COVID Alert DE app to your phone. The app will help alert you if you have come in contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19.

Click here to download the app today.

Please stay safe and healthy!

Nicole Poore
Senator, 12th District

Delaware Coronavirus Updates – 7/6/2021

Hello friends and neighbors,

I hope everyone enjoyed a wonderful Independence Day, one of the first major holidays back with family and friends.

After 16 long months, Delaware is winning the fight against COVID-19.

On July 1, the First State reached President Biden’s target 70% immunization rate that many experts believe is needed to reach herd immunity. As of Monday, 70.4% of adults in Delaware had received at least one dose of the vaccine, including 92% of seniors 65 and older.

On July 13, Governor John Carney will fully lift the COVID-19 State of Emergency Order, a significant step closer to bringing the pandemic to an end.

We know from experience that COVID-19 cases will likely rise again in the fall, which is why we need to take steps now to protect our health the best we can. More Delawareans still need to get vaccinated so we don’t face a resurgence. Nearly all new hospitalizations across the country are unvaccinated Americans and nearly half of those cases involve the more severe Delta variant. People between the ages of 18 and 34 are now at the greatest risk for contracting the virus and spreading it to others.

Vaccinations are freely available to any Delawarean ages 12 and older at dozens of walk-up sites, community clinics, state service centers, local pharmacies and area health centers.

Testing sites also will remain active throughout Delaware to help control the spread of COVID-19 and its many variants. Click here to find the closest testing site near you.

Thanks to the tremendous success of Delaware’s vaccination program, I will be pausing these COVID-19 updates for the time being. I want to thank Governor Carney, DHSS and neighbors like you who pulled together and did what was needed to get our state through these difficult times together.

Please feel free to reach out to me anytime with any questions or concerns you might have about COVID-19 or anything else impacting the lives of you, your family and your neighbors.

Have a wonderful summer and look out for future updates about our ongoing work to make Delaware a better place to live, work and raise a family for all.

In this newsletter, you will find updates on:

  • Reaching our 70% vaccination goal
  • The DEWins! grand prize
  • Delaware’s Accelerated Learning Plan
  • Summer travel tips
  • Vaccination and testing sites near us
  • Food resources and rental assistance
  • And more!

Be well and stay safe!

Nicole Poore
Senator, 12th District

VACCINATION GOAL ACHIEVED

Delawareans have done their part to end the pandemic by getting vaccinated to protect their families, friends and communities.

We reached President Biden’s goal of 70% of adults receiving at least one shot of the vaccine by July 4.

There is still more progress to be made. Vaccines are the best protection we have against COVID-19 and its many variants.

Those who are unvaccinated are strongly encouraged to get a shot and continue to wear a mask in accordance with guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

CLICK HERE TO FIND THE CLOSEST VACCINE PROVIDER

DELAWARE’S ACCELERATED LEARNING PLAN

The Delaware Department of Education is making tremendous progress in helping schools, families and community groups to support students make up ground on unfinished learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Every K-12 student in Delaware now can use their school credentials to read required and recreational digital books in the OverDrive Education Sora student reading app. Students also have seamless access to age-appropriate ebooks and audiobooks from the Delaware Libraries’ OverDrive digital collection.

Delaware students already have checked out close to 10,000 books and read for nearly 4,000 hours.

On demand math lessons are available through Zearn Math.

One-on-one tutoring is also available to about 5,000 students at 38 sites through DOE’s partnerships with 13 community-based organizations.

A language line also has been launched to provide over-the-phone interpreting in 195 languages available on-demand 24/7. In just one month, the line received an average of 24 calls per day.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO

DE WINS! INCENTIVES STILL AVAILABLE

Nearly two dozen vaccinated Delawareans earned cash and prizes through the DE Wins! incentive program.

Winners of the grand prizes of $302,000 and two low-digit license plates were drawn on June 30, but have not yet agreed to have their names announced.

Click here for a list of prize winners.

While the drawings may be over, Delawareans can still earn discounts and rewards by bringing their vaccination cards to local businesses.

CLICK HERE FOR INCENTIVES AVAILABLE NEAR US

SUMMER TRAVEL TIPS

Summer is a popular time to travel and many Delawareans are no doubt eager to take a well-deserved vacation as the pandemic winds down.

Before you travel, please keep the following in mind:

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control strongly discourages travel for unvaccinated people, especially for international trips. If you are unvaccinated or not yet fully vaccinated and must travel, please follow the CDC’s recommendations.

International travel poses additional risks, and even fully vaccinated travelers might be at increased risk for getting and possibly spreading some COVID-19 variants. Click here for more information.

All travelers need to pay close attention to the conditions at their destination before traveling. Click here for more information regarding specific destinations.

Fully vaccinated travelers are less likely to get and spread COVID-19. Get your vaccine before you get your tickets!

CLICK HERE TO FIND THE CLOSEST VACCINE PROVIDER

THE LATEST COVID-19 DATA IN DELAWARE

Delaware’s rate of COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and deaths are now at their lowest since the first weeks of the pandemic in spring 2020.

As of Monday, the rolling 7-day average of new COVID-19 cases was 26.9, down 4% from two weeks ago and the lowest rate of the entire pandemic. The average percentage of people who got a positive test result increased slightly to 5.7, up from 5.2 last month.

The cumulative number of COVID-19 cases in Delaware reached 109,891 over the weekend – a 0.3% increase from two weeks ago. Statewide, the rate of infection is now 1,176.6 cases per 10,000 people.

As of Monday, there were 23 people hospitalized due to COVID-19 complications, down from 24 people two weeks earlier. The number of people in critical condition rose to 4, one more than two weeks ago.

Delaware documented 12 additional Coronavirus-related deaths over the last two weeks, bringing the total number of fatalities to 1,695. Of those total deaths, 45% were residents of long-term care facilities.
Visit Delaware’s Coronavirus Data Dashboard for all the latest information about COVID-19’s spread throughout the First State.

CLICK HERE TO SEE MORE STATE-LEVEL DATA

FOOD RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO DELAWAREANS

The Food Bank of Delaware’s monthly mobile food pantries are returning this month.

Advance registration is suggested, but not required.

Friday, July 9
11 a.m. – Dover International Speedway, 1131 N. Dupont Highway, in Dover
Pre-register: July9KentCounty.eventbrite.com

Monday, July 12
11 a.m. – Delaware Technical Community College, 400 Stanton Christiana Road, near Newark
Pre-register: July9NewCastleCounty.eventbrite.com

COVID-19 RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM AVAILABLE

The Delaware Housing Assistance Program is offering financial support to eligible renters impacted by COVID-19.

DEHAP provides up to 12 months of financial assistance for rent owed as far back as April 2020. An additional three months of extended help is also available under certain conditions.

Income restrictions apply and all payments are made directly to landlords.

Click here to review income eligibility by county and other program requirements or call (866) 935-0407. A list of frequently asked questions and their answers also can be found here.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE

H.E.L.P. LOAN PAYMENTS

The Delaware Division of Small Business recently announced it is deferring repayments for anyone who received assistance through the Hospitality Emergency Loan Program, up to $10,000 of zero-interest assistance available to qualified businesses since the earliest days of the pandemic.

Initially deferred until July 1, payments on outstanding H.E.L.P. loans will not be required until September 1 at the earliest.

LEARN MORE

STAY ON THE LOOKOUT

Delawareans across our state pulled together to protect the health of one another during the pandemic.

My hope is that this community effort can continue as we face challenges great and small over the coming months and years.

MYSTERIOUS SONGBIRD ILLNESS

Delaware is among at least six mid-Atlantic and central states where wildlife experts are investigating reports of sick and dying songbirds infected with an unknown disorder characterized by swollen and crusty eyes, erratic flight and stumbling.

Wildlife experts believe congregating birds may contribute to the spread. They recommend temporarily halting the use of bird feeders or bird baths. Be sure to also keep your pets away from sick or dead birds.

If you see a live wild bird exhibiting the symptoms described above, contact Tri-State Bird Rescue & Research by calling (302) 737-9543. If you find a dead wild bird you suspect of being infected, contact the DNREC Division of Fish & Wildlife at (302) 735-3600.

Click here for more information.

RABID SKUNK FOUND NEAR NEWARK

Two people were potentially exposed to a skunk killed by their dog that later tested positive for rabies.

The Delaware Division of Public Health is warning anyone who lives or spends time in the area west of Route 273, near South Brownleaf Road, Sonant Drive and Stature Drive in Newark to be on the lookout. Anyone who thinks they might have been bitten, scratched or come into contact with a skunk in that area should call the DPH Rabies Program at (302) 744-4995.

Click here for more information.

DEADLY HEMLOCK FOUND IN SUSSEX COUNTY

Two deadly species of hemlock recently were found in wetlands areas of Sussex County.

Poison hemlock is an invasive biennial, while spotted water hemlock is a native. All parts of both plants — leaves, stems, flowers and roots — are poisonous to humans and animals. The sap also can cause skin irritation.

Do not attempt to eradicate the plants yourself.

Click here for more information.

LISTERIA FOUND IN RECALLED TYSON FOODS PRODUCTS

DPH has confirmed one case of Listeria associated with a multi-state outbreak linked to Tyson Foods ready-to-eat chicken products. Two other cases have been confirmed in Texas.

The frozen, fully cooked chicken products were produced between Dec. 26, 2020, and April 13, 2021. The products subject to recall bear the establishment number “EST. P-7089,” and include chicken strips, diced chicken, chicken wing sections and fully cooked pizza with chicken.

Click here for more information.

Delaware Coronavirus Updates – 6/22/2021

Hello friends and neighbors,

Vaccination rates in Delaware are continuing to climb while the number of new COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations are falling to record lows.

The steady progress led Governor John Carney to announce last week that he plans to lift the COVID-19 State of Emergency on July 13 – almost 16 months to the day after the pandemic began.

But more Delawareans still need to get vaccinated if we are going to reach the 70% immunization rate that many experts believe is needed to achieve herd immunity. As of Sunday, nearly 68.9% of adults in Delaware had received at least one dose of the vaccine.

Vaccinations are now available to any Delawarean ages 12 and older at walk-up sites in all three counties, community clinics, state service centers, local pharmacies and area health centers.

To help our state continue moving in the right direction, Gov. Carney and the Delaware Division of Public Health recently launched a public education and incentive program called DE Wins! that is rewarding vaccinated Delawareans with prizes and deals at local small businesses and restaurants.

You can also help us get to President Biden’s goal of 70% by July 4. Ask your family and friends if they’ve been vaccinated. Even if you are young, healthy and unconcerned about getting COVID-19, please do your part to help protect our immunocompromised neighbors by getting vaccinated today.

In the meantime, be sure to get tested regularly, practice responsible social distancing, wash your hands frequently, wear a mask in public if you are not vaccinated and – please – get vaccinated as soon as possible.

In this newsletter, you will find updates on:

  • The end of Delaware’s State of Emergency
  • Incentives for getting vaccinated
  • Vaccination and testing sites near us
  • Food resources and rental assistance
  • And more!

Be well and stay safe!

Nicole Poore
Senator, District 12

STATE OF EMERGENCY TO END ON JULY 13

After weeks of gradually easing a number of long-standing pandemic restrictions, Governor Carney recently announced he intends to lift the
COVID-19 State of Emergency order on July 13.

First signed on March 12, 2020, the State of Emergency has helped to save lives and limit the spread of COVID-19. Over the last year, we’ve learned a lot about how to prevent infections, serious illness and hospitalizations. We’ve also reached a 63% vaccination rate among adults, including nearly 92% of seniors over the age of 65.

Those who are unvaccinated are strongly encouraged to get a shot and continue to wear a mask in accordance with guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO

DELAWARE LAUNCHES VACCINE INCENTIVE PROGRAM

Gov. Carney and the Division of Public Health recently launched a public education and vaccine incentive program called DE Wins!

From now through June 29, every Delawarean who gets vaccinated will be eligible to win $5,000 in cash and additional prizes, including full scholarships at Delaware universities, tickets to Firefly, four-day vacation packages at Delaware’s beaches, a year-long DART pass, free tolls in the state and more.

Small businesses throughout the state are also offering incentives to vaccinated Delawareans.

Click here to view the list of winners so far.

On June 30, every Delawarean who has received the COVID-19 vaccine also will be entered to win a $302,000 cash prize or two low-digit license plates.

  • Delawareans ​12+ vaccinated from May 25 – June 29, ​and any Delawarean ages 12-17, will be entered to win $5,000 in cash or additional prizes in twice-weekly drawings conducted by the Delaware Lottery. View the full list of prizes at dewins.org.
  • All Delawareans who have been vaccinated are eligible to win $302,000 or two-low number license plates. The winners will be announced June 30.
  • Delaware small businesses are offering incentives for all vaccinated Delawareans through June 30. View offers at dewins.org/partners.
  • You don’t have to take any additional steps to enter as long as you get vaccinated in Delaware before June 29, 2021.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO

THE LATEST COVID-19 DATA IN DELAWARE

Delaware’s rate of COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and deaths have continued a steady decline since late April.

As of Sunday, the rolling 7-day average of new COVID-19 cases was 28, down 36% from two weeks ago and the lowest rate of the entire pandemic. The average percentage of people who got a positive test result fell to 5.2, down from 8.6 earlier this month.

The cumulative number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Delaware reached 109,548 over the weekend – a 0.4% increase from two weeks ago. Statewide, the rate of infection is now 1173.2 cases per 10,000 people.

As of Sunday, there were 24 people hospitalized due to COVID-19 complications, down from 29 people two weeks earlier. The number of people in critical condition held at 3, the same number as two weeks ago.

Delaware documented 6 additional Coronavirus-related deaths over the last two weeks, bringing the total number of fatalities to 1,683. Of those total deaths, 45% were residents of long-term care facilities.

Visit Delaware’s Coronavirus Data Dashboard for all the latest information about COVID-19’s spread throughout the First State.

CLICK HERE TO SEE MORE STATE-LEVEL DATA

DELAWARE COVID-19 VACCINE UPDATE

All Delawareans ages 12 and older are eligible to receive COVID-19 vaccinations.

Walk-up vaccinations are now being offered at community-based events, state-run clinics, and several area pharmacies. Vaccinations by appointment are also available at several local hospitals, primary care offices and health centers throughout Delaware.

New Castle County Community Vaccination Locations

All Week (8:30 – 11:30 a.m. and 1:15 – 4 p.m.)

Wednesday, June 23

  • 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.: Main Street Alfresco on Main Street Newark (Main Street, Newark, DE 19711) Pfizer available. Click here to choose your date and time.

Thursday, June 24

  • Noon to 4 p.m. – Kirkwood Park Community Youth Resource Fair (11th & Spruce Streets, Wilmington) Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson Available. No Appointment Required.

Friday, June 25

  • 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. – New Castle County Farmers Market (Glasgow Park, 2275 Pulaski Highway, Newark) Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson Available. No Appointment Required.

FIND A VACCINATION SITE

GET TESTED NOW, GET TESTED OFTEN

Fast, free and convenient testing sites are available in our area.

Click here for a full list of state-run and community testing sites in Delaware.

Click here to reserve a drive-thru testing time at a local Walgreens.

Click here for more information about how seniors and others in high-risk health categories can get test kits delivered to their homes.

New Castle County Pop-Up Testing Locations

Tuesday, June 22

Wednesday, June 23

Thursday, June 24

Saturday, June 26

FOOD RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO DELAWAREANS

The Food Bank of Delaware’s monthly drive-thru pantries are helping to keep food on the table for thousands throughout this pandemic.

A number of resources are also available to Delawareans in need until then.

COVID-19 RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM AVAILABLE

The Delaware Housing Assistance Program is offering financial support to eligible renters impacted by COVID-19.

DEHAP provides up to 12 months of financial assistance for rent owed as far back as April 2020. An additional three months of extended help is also available under certain conditions.

Income restrictions apply and all payments are made directly to landlords.

Click here to review income eligibility by county and other program requirements or call (866) 935-0407. A list of frequently asked questions and their answers also can be found here.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE

REMINDER: GATHERING LIMITS FOR EVENTS & ACTIVITIES

If you plan to host or attend an event, find out what the current indoor and outdoor gathering limits are in Delaware to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. According to the CDC, indoor events pose more risk than outdoor events.

LEARN MORE

Weekly COVID-19 Press Briefing

Be sure to tune in for Governor John Carney’s weekly press briefing at 1:45 p.m. every Tuesday for the latest information and announcements.

You can watch by visiting his Facebook page or by visiting the State of Delaware’s livestream page.

COVID Alert DE App

More than 100,000 Delawareans have downloaded this free and anonymous app that will alert you when you’ve been exposed to someone who tested positive for COVID-19. The app works regardless of whether that person lives in Delaware, Pennsylvania, Maryland, New Jersey, New York or Washington D.C.

Visiting LegHall: A total of 25 seats in the Senate gallery is now available to members of the public each session day. Seats can be reserved in advance, starting at 5 p.m. each Monday through Wednesday, on the Delaware General Assembly website.

Legislative session will continue to be broadcast online and committee meetings will continue to be conducted virtually through June. Click here for more information.

Delaware Coronavirus Updates – 5/24/2021

Hello friends and neighbors,

I am excited to report that vaccinations are up, COVID cases and hospitalizations are down and Delaware’s mask indoor mandate has been lifted – partially or in full – after more than a year.

Five months after Bayhealth nurse Elisabeth Cote became the first Delawarean vaccinated against COVID-19, nearly 60% of all Delawareans ages 16 and older have received at least one dose of a vaccine while 47% are fully vaccinated. That includes 90% of seniors over the age of 65 who are or soon will be fully vaccinated.

COVID-19 vaccines have proven to be safe and effective against infection and serious illness, and getting vaccinated has never been easier. Any Delawarean 12 and older now can get vaccinated at a number of standing clinics, state service centers and area pharmacies throughout the state – with no appointment necessary.

The success of Delaware’s vaccination program, combined with the warmer weather, have resulted in the lowest 7-day average of new cases since late September – down 38% compared to this time last year when we were all living indoors.

Life is also much different in May 2021 than one year earlier. Rather than limiting public access to restaurants, stores and beaches, Gov. John Carney has lifted all remaining capacity restrictions. Businesses can now decide on their own whether to impose mask requirements for customers and employees. And social distancing now means 3 feet instead of 6 feet.

Delaware is also offering accelerated learning opportunities over the summer to help students catch up on instruction time lost to the pandemic.

Please continue to take precautions and hopefully we can see each other again soon. Get tested regularly, practice responsible social distancing, wash your hands frequently, wear a mask in public if you are not vaccinated and – please – get vaccinated as soon as possible.

In this newsletter, you will find updates on:

  • Delaware’s reduced COVID-19 restrictions
  • Enhancements to Delaware’s vaccination program
  • Testing sites near us
  • Delaware’s accelerated learning plan
  • Food resources and rental assistance
  • And more!

Be well and stay safe!

Nicole Poore
Senator, District 12

DELAWARE EASING COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS

Thanks to higher rates of vaccination and lower rates of COVID, Governor John Carney and the Delaware Division of Public Health have eased several long-standing pandemic restrictions in recent weeks.

Mask mandate lifted on May 21:

Delaware lifted its requirement that people wear face coverings anytime they are indoors with others from outside their household. People are instead asked to follow guidance from the CDC for all indoor and outdoor activities

  • Fully vaccinated people can stop wearing masks in most indoor and outdoor places.
  • Masks should still be worn in crowded settings, in state buildings, on public transit, on airplanes, in schools, in healthcare facilities and in congregate settings such as prisons and homeless shelters.
  • Businesses and private organizations may impose mask requirements for visitors, customers and employees.
  • Those who are not fully vaccinated, including children not yet eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine, should continue to wear masks when around others from outside of their households.

Other restrictions lifted on May 21:

All capacity restrictions inside businesses and houses of worship have been lifted, allowing those facilities to use as much space as social distancing requirements will permit.

  • Social distancing requirements were moved from 6 feet to 3 feet.
  • Bars and restaurants can submit plans to DPH for dance floors and other areas if at least 3 feet of distancing can be maintained.
  • Events over 250 people – whether indoors or outdoors – still require a plan approved by DPH.

Restrictions lifted on April 28:

  • Outdoor seating at restaurants was raised to 10 people per table.
  • Masking requirements for student athletes participating in low-risk sports were lifted.
  • Boardwalk railings and benches no longer need to be cleaned multiple times a day.
  • Child care centers and businesses no longer need to clean high-touch surfaces every 2 hours.

UP-TO-DATE GUIDANCE AND RESTRICTIONS

THE LATEST COVID-19 DATA IN DELAWARE

Delaware’s rate of COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and deaths have continued to decline steadily over the last five weeks.

As of Sunday, the rolling 7-day average of new COVID-19 cases was 101, down 43% from two weeks ago and the lowest in nearly 8 months. The average percentage of people who got a positive test result fell to 12.9, down from 17.2 earlier this month.

The cumulative number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Delaware reached 108,365 over the weekend – a 2.1% increase from two weeks ago. Statewide, the rate of infection is now 1160.4 cases per 10,000 people.

As of Sunday, there were 64 people hospitalized due to COVID-19 complications, down from 95 people two weeks earlier. The number of people in critical condition rose to 12, up from 8 two weeks ago.

Delaware documented 23 additional Coronavirus-related deaths over the last two weeks, bringing the total number of fatalities to 1,659. Of those total deaths, 45% were residents of long-term care facilities.

Visit Delaware’s Coronavirus Data Dashboard for all the latest information about COVID-19’s spread throughout the First State.

CLICK HERE TO SEE MORE STATE-LEVEL DATA

DELAWARE COVID-19 VACCINE UPDATE

All Delawareans ages 12 and older are eligible to receive COVID-19 vaccinations and getting vaccinated has never been easier.

Walk-up vaccinations are now being offered at community-based events, state-run clinics, and several area pharmacies. Vaccinations by appointment are also available at several local hospitals, primary care offices and health centers throughout Delaware.

Learn more about where you can get your shot at de.gov/getmyvaccine.

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT YOUTH VACCINATIONS

GET TESTED NOW, GET TESTED OFTEN

Fast, free and convenient testing sites are available in our area.

Click here for a full list of state-run and community testing sites in Delaware.

Click here to reserve a testing time at a local Walgreens.

Seniors and others in high-risk health categories can get test kits delivered to their homes. You will need to download Zoom to your smartphone or other electronic device to complete the test. Click here for more information.

New Castle County Pop-Up Testing Locations

Tuesday, May 25

Wednesday, May 26

Thursday, May 27

Friday, May 28

Saturday, May 29

REMINDER: GATHERING LIMITS FOR EVENTS & ACTIVITIES

If you plan to host or attend an event, find out what the current indoor and outdoor gathering limits are in Delaware to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. According to the CDC, indoor events pose more risk than outdoor events.

LEARN MORE

DELAWARE’S ACCELERATED LEARNING PLAN

Gov. John Carney and the Delaware Department of Education recently announced plans for helping schools to support students and address unfinished learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Using federal funds from the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, Delaware will focus on key areas to support districts and charter schools in helping students make up for unfinished work.

Click here to watch the information session on Summer Accelerated Learning recently hosted by DOE.

LEARN MORE

FOOD RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO DELAWAREANS

The Food Bank of Delaware’s monthly drive-thru pantries are helping to keep food on the table for thousands throughout this pandemic. The next round of drive-thru pantries will be held in June.

A number of resources are also available to Delawareans in need until then.

COVID-19 RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM AVAILABLE

The Delaware Housing Assistance Program is offering financial support to eligible renters impacted by COVID-19.

DEHAP provides up to 12 months of financial assistance for rent owed as far back as April 2020. An additional three months of extended help is also available under certain conditions.

Income restrictions apply and all payments are made directly to landlords.

Click here to review income eligibility by county and other program requirements or call (866) 935-0407. A list of frequently asked questions and their answers also can be found here.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE

Weekly COVID-19 Press Briefing

Be sure to tune in for Governor John Carney’s weekly press briefing at 1:45 p.m. every Tuesday for the latest information and announcements.

You can watch by visiting his Facebook page or by visiting the State of Delaware’s livestream page.

COVID Alert DE App

More than 100,000 Delawareans have downloaded this free and anonymous app that will alert you when you’ve been exposed to someone who tested positive for COVID-19. The app works regardless of whether that person lives in Delaware, Pennsylvania, Maryland, New Jersey, New York or Washington D.C.

Grants Available to Delaware Businesses

Each month, the Delaware Division of Small Business publishes an up-to-date list of local, regional and national grants available to help support local entrepreneurs.

CLICK HERE FOR BUSINESS GRANT INFORMATION

Delaware Coronavirus Updates – 5/11/2021

Hello friends and neighbors,

Thanks to the incredible progress of Delaware’s vaccination program combined with the warmer weather of spring, we have seen a steep decline in new COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and deaths in recent weeks – leading to some major upcoming changes to public health restrictions statewide.

Getting vaccinated has never been easier. More than 55% of all Delawareans ages 16 and older have now received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine, while nearly 43% are fully vaccinated. That includes 88% of seniors over the age of 65 who are or soon will be fully vaccinated.

Last weekend, the 7-day average of new cases in Delaware also fell below 200 for the first time since early November while hospitalizations and deaths are also on the decline.

As a result of the improving outlook, Governor Carney recently announced he and the Delaware Division of Public Health are lifting or reducing several major restrictions.

Starting on Friday, May 21, all capacity restrictions will be lifted inside restaurants, retail shops, other business establishments and all houses of worship. Masks will continue to be required indoors, but social distancing requirements will move from 6 feet of space to just 3 feet.

The Delaware General Assembly is reducing some restrictions, as well.

Starting tomorrow, Senators will begin meeting for floor votes in person at Legislative Hall for the first time in nearly 16 months – a small but meaningful step toward normalcy.

Live video of the proceedings will be broadcast on the General Assembly website and the public can continue to join committee hearings virtually, but space restrictions inside Legislative Hall – one of the smallest legislative buildings in the country – mean we will not be able to open the building fully just yet.

Please continue to take precautions and hopefully we can see each other again soon. Get tested regularly, practice responsible social distancing, wash your hands frequently, always wear a mask in public and – please – get vaccinated as soon as possible.

In this newsletter, you will find updates on:

  • Delaware’s reduced COVID-19 restrictions
  • Changes to Delaware’s vaccination program
  • Testing sites near us
  • Delaware’s accelerated learning plan
  • Food resources and rental assistance
  • Delaware’s upcoming school board elections
  • And more!

Be well and stay safe,

Nicole Poore
Senator, 12th District

DELAWARE EASING COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS

Thanks to higher rates of vaccination and lower rates of COVID, Governor John Carney and the Delaware Division of Public Health have eased a number of long-standing pandemic restrictions and announced plans to lift or reduce even more starting on May 21.

Restrictions lifted immediately:

As of April 28:

  • Outdoor seating at restaurants is raised to 10 people per table.
  • Masking requirements for student athletes participating in low-risk sports are lifted.
  • Boardwalk railings and benches no longer need to be cleaned multiple times a day.
  • Child care centers and businesses no longer need to clean high-touch surfaces every 2 hours.

Restrictions being lifted or reduced soon:

Starting May 21:

  • All capacity restrictions inside businesses and houses of worship will be lifted, allowing those facilities to use as much space as social distancing requirements will permit
  • Social distancing requirements will move from 6 feet to 3 feet.
  • Fully vaccinated people may gather outdoors with other fully vaccinated people without wearing a mask.
  • Masks will still be required indoors.
  • Bars and restaurants can begin submitting plans to DPH for dance floors and other areas if at least 3 feet of distancing can be maintained.
  • Events over 250 people — whether indoors or outdoors — will still require a plan approved by DPH.

UP-TO-DATE GUIDANCE AND RESTRICTIONS

DELAWARE COVID-19 VACCINE UPDATE

All Delawareans ages 16 and older are eligible to receive COVID-19 vaccinations and getting vaccinated has never been easier.

Walk-up vaccinations are now being offered at several area pharmacies and state-run walk-in clinics. Vaccinations by appointment are also available at several local hospitals, primary care offices and large-scale events throughout the state.

Vaccines are now so widely available that the Delaware Division of Public Health last week was able to close the waiting list that had been used to prioritize distribution of the shots when supplies were more limited.

Learn more about how and where to get your shot at de.gov/getmyvaccine.

THE LATEST COVID-19 DATA IN DELAWARE

Delaware’s rate of COVID-19 cases has declined steadily over the last three weeks, while hospitalizations and deaths have started to fall more recently.

As of Sunday, the rolling 7-day average of new COVID-19 cases was 178, down 41% from two weeks ago and the lowest in nearly 6 months. The average percentage of people who got a positive test result fell to 17.2, down from 23.5 two weeks ago.

The cumulative number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Delaware reached 106,148 over the weekend – a 2.8% increase from two weeks ago. Statewide, the rate of infection is now 1,135.8 per 10,000 people.

As of Sunday, there were 95 people hospitalized due to COVID-19 complications, down from 159 people two weeks earlier. The number of people in critical conditions fell 64% during the same period to 8.

Delaware documented 20 additional Coronavirus-related deaths over the last two weeks, bringing the total number of fatalities to 1,636. Of those total deaths, 46% were residents of long-term care facilities.

Visit Delaware’s Coronavirus Data Dashboard for all the latest information about COVID-19’s spread throughout the First State.

CLICK HERE TO SEE MORE STATE-LEVEL DATA

GET TESTED NOW, GET TESTED OFTEN

Fast, free and convenient testing sites are available in our area.

Click here for a full list of state-run and community testing sites in Delaware.

Click here to reserve a testing time at a local Walgreens.

Seniors and others in high-risk health categories can get test kits delivered to their homes. You will need to download Zoom to your smartphone or other electronic device to complete the test. Click here for more information.

New Castle County Pop-Up Testing Locations

Tuesday, May 11

Wednesday, May 12

Thursday, May 13

Friday, May 14

Saturday, May 15

REMINDER: GATHERING LIMITS FOR EVENTS & ACTIVITIES

If you plan to host or attend an event, find out what the current indoor and outdoor gathering limits are in Delaware to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. According to the CDC, indoor events pose more risk than outdoor events.

LEARN MORE

DELAWARE’S ACCELERATED LEARNING PLAN

Governor John Carney and the Delaware Department of Education recently announced plans for helping schools to support students and address unfinished learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Using federal funds from the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, Delaware will focus on key areas to support districts and charter schools in helping students make up for unfinished work.

LEARN MORE

FOOD RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO DELAWAREANS

The Food Bank of Delaware’s monthly drive-thru pantries are helping to keep food on the table for thousands throughout this pandemic. The next round of drive-thru pantries will be held in June.

A number of resources are also available to Delawareans in need until then.

COVID-19 RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM AVAILABLE

The Delaware Housing Assistance Program is offering financial support to eligible renters impacted by COVID-19.

DEHAP provides up to 12 months of financial assistance for rent owned as far back as April 2020. An additional three months of extended help is also available under certain conditions.

Income restrictions apply and all payments are made directly to landlords.

Click here to review income eligibility by county and other program requirements or call (866) 935-0407. A list of frequently asked questions and their answers also can be found here.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE

Weekly COVID-19 Press Briefing

Be sure to tune in for Governor John Carney’s weekly press briefing at 1:45 p.m. every Tuesday for the latest information and announcements.

You can watch by visiting his Facebook page or by visiting the State of Delaware’s livestream page.

COVID Alert DE App

More than 100,000 Delawareans have downloaded this free and anonymous app that will alert you when you’ve been exposed to someone who tested positive for COVID-19. The app works regardless of whether that person lives in Delaware, Pennsylvania, Maryland, New Jersey, New York or Washington D.C.

DELAWARE SCHOOL BOARD ELECTIONS
Tuesday, May 11, 2021 | Polls open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Voters across Delaware will be electing members of their local school board on Tuesday.

School board elections are a little different than those for other elected offices but are no less important. To cast a ballot in a school board election, you must be 18 or older, a citizen of the United States and a resident of the school district where the election is being held. You do NOT have to be a registered voter.

School board members are elected to 5-year terms and make major decisions about who runs our schools and how they educate our students. Among other things, these board members:

  • Hire the district superintendent and hold them accountable.
  • Decide when and how your school taxes will be raised and spent.
  • Oversee large budgets and make critical financial decisions.
  • Are responsible for student learning.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO ON YOUR LOCAL SCHOOL BOARD ELECTION

Delaware Coronavirus Updates – 4/26/2020

Hello friends and neighbors,

Delaware’s vaccination program is moving ahead quickly, even after the Division of Public Health paused our use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine two weeks ago.

More than half of all Delawareans ages 16 and older have now received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, while more than a third are fully vaccinated. The First State continues to rank among the top states in the nation for both categories.

The Centers for Disease Control and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Friday recommended lifting the two-week pause on the use of the J&J vaccine after determining it to be both safe and effective. DPH will share plans for the next J&J vaccine opportunity in Delaware as soon as details are finalized.

Delaware also appears to have turned a corner in the spring surge of new cases that saw our state ranked fourth in the nation for new infections per capita behind Michigan, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

The 7-day average of new cases in Delaware has been falling for the past week, although Sussex County is still experiencing an increase of new cases. The exposure risk throughout Delaware remains elevated, on par with where we were in mid-November and mid-February.

Please remain vigilant and continue to take measures we know work to fight community spread, even if you have been vaccinated. Get tested regularly, practice responsible social distancing, wash your hands frequently and always wear a mask when out in public.

One final note: As my colleagues and I prepare for the final two months of the legislative calendar, I will be sending out these COVID-19 updates twice a month instead of every week. The next COVID Update newsletter will be arriving in your inbox on May 10.

In this newsletter, you will find updates on:

  • Delaware’s COVID-19 vaccination program
  • Testing sites near us
  • Food resources for Delawareans in need
  • And more!

Be well and stay safe,

Nicole Poore
Senator, 12th District

DELAWARE COVID-19 VACCINE UPDATE

All Delawareans ages 16 and older are now eligible to receive COVID-19 vaccinations, although the availability of appointments depends on supply.

Click the links below to read more about the variety of ways eligible Delawareans can receive a vaccination:

Vaccination Events: To participate in an upcoming drive-thru or walk-up vaccination event, you must first register on the State of Delaware’s COVID-19 vaccination waiting list. Invitations to state-run vaccination events are sent via email.

Click here to register today! Anyone without internet access can register by calling 1 (833) 643-1715. Press option #2 for help. If you are 65 or older, or need accommodations based on a disability, press #1 or #3.

Participating Pharmacies: Eight pharmacy chains in Delaware are now offering vaccine appointments as supply allows. Click here for a list of participating pharmacies and links to their online scheduling systems.

Medical Providers: Reach out to your medical provider for an appointment. If they are not vaccinating patients, they will provide your name and contact information to a local healthcare system that will contact you to schedule an appointment. Providers are being asked to use their clinical judgment to continue prioritizing people with high-risk medical conditions, including disabilities.

JOHNSON & JOHNSON VACCINE UPDATE

The Centers for Disease Control and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Friday recommended states resume using the Johnson & Johnson vaccine after carefully studying all of the data from 15 cases involving a rare type of blood clot out of 6.8 million doses administered.

The two public health agencies determined the chance of developing blood clots is very low and the benefits of receiving the vaccine far outweigh the potential risks.

All 15 cases involved women between the ages of 18 and 59 with symptoms occurring 6 to 15 days after vaccination. Symptoms included severe headache, chest or abdominal pain, leg swelling, shortness of breath, fainting and seizures.

DPH has not yet resumed use of the J&J vaccine, but is distributing updated materials to providers and the public. Plans for the next J&J vaccine opportunity will be shared as soon as details are finalized.

The CDC and FDA are remaining vigilant and continue to investigate any potential risk associated with any COVID-19 vaccine.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION

THE LATEST COVID-19 DATA IN DELAWARE

Delaware’s rate of COVID-19 cases showed some decline over the last week, while hospitalizations remained flat.

As of Sunday, the rolling 7-day average of new COVID-19 cases was 301, down 19% from last week. The average percentage of people who got tested and had a positive result fell to 23.5%, down from 26.7% a week ago.

The cumulative number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Delaware reached 103,222 over the weekend – a 2% increase from one week ago. Statewide, the rate of infection is now 1,102.8 cases per 10,000 people.

Hospitalizations stayed flat over the week. As of Sunday, there were 159 people hospitalized due to COVID-19 complications, exactly the same number as a week earlier. The number of people in critical condition also held week to week at 22.

Delaware documented 14 additional Coronavirus-related deaths over the last week, bringing the total number of fatalities to 1,616. Of those total deaths, 46% were residents of long-term care facilities.

Visit Delaware’s Coronavirus Data Dashboard for all the latest information about COVID-19’s spread throughout the First State.

CLICK HERE TO SEE MORE STATE-LEVEL DATA

GET TESTED NOW, GET TESTED OFTEN

Fast, free and convenient testing sites are available in our area.

Click here for a full list of state-run and community testing sites in Delaware.

Click here to reserve a testing time at a local Walgreens.

Seniors and others in high-risk health categories can get test kits delivered to their homes. You will need to download Zoom to your smartphone or other electronic device to complete the test. Click here for more information.

New Castle County Pop-Up Testing Locations

Tuesday, April 27

Wednesday, April 28

Thursday, April 29

Friday, April 30

Saturday, May 1

Sunday, May 2

FOOD RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO DELAWAREANS

The Food Bank of Delaware’s monthly mobile food pantries are returning next week.

Drive-thru events are being held in each of Delaware’s three counties.

Advance registration is suggested, but not required.

Monday, May 3
11 a.m. – Crossroad Community Church, 20684 State Forest Road, near Georgetown
Pre-register: May3SussexCounty.eventbrite.com

Wednesday, May 5
11 a.m. – Dover International Speedway, 1131 N. Dupont Highway, in Dover
Pre-register: May5KentCounty.eventbrite.com

Friday, March 7
11 a.m. – Delaware Tech, 400 Stanton Christiana Road, near Newark
Pre-register: May7NewCastleCounty.eventbrite.com

COVID-19 RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM AVAILABLE

The Delaware Housing Assistance Program is offering financial support to eligible renters impacted by COVID-19.

DEHAP provides up to 12 months of financial assistance for rent owed as far back as April 2020. An additional three months of extended help is also available under certain conditions.

Income restrictions apply and all payments are made directly to landlords. Both landlords and tenants can apply for DEHAP, but they will need to work together to ensure proper documentation is provided by both parties.

Tenants who received DEHAP assistance in the past can participate, but will need to reapply since the eligibility requirements and program documentation have changed.

Click here to review income eligibility by county and other program requirements or call (866) 935-0407. A list of frequently asked questions and their answers also can be found here.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE

SMALL BUSINESS GRANTS AVAILABLE

Each month, the Delaware Division of Small Business publishes an up-to-date list of local, regional and national grants available to help support local entrepreneurs.

That includes Delaware’s own EDGE Grants, an innovative and competitive program that provides young companies with the funds they need to help expand their businesses. The Division of Small Business will award 10 Entrepreneur Class grants of up to $25,000 each and five STEM Class awards of up to $100,000 each. Applications for the latest round of funding are being accepted until 11:59 p.m. on April 30.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE BUSINESS GRANT INFO

Weekly COVID-19 Press Briefing

Be sure to tune in for Governor John Carney’s weekly press briefing at 1:45 p.m. every Tuesday for the latest information and announcements.

You can watch by visiting his Facebook page or by visiting the State of Delaware’s livestream page.

COVID Alert DE App

More than 100,000 Delawareans have downloaded this free and anonymous app that will alert you when you’ve been exposed to someone who tested positive for COVID-19. The app works regardless of whether that person lives in Delaware, Pennsylvania, Maryland, New Jersey, New York or Washington D.C.

Delaware State Senate

Delaware Coronavirus Updates – 4/19/2021

Hello friends and neighbors,

Several thousands more Delawareans have been fully vaccinated while thousands more have received their first dose since we fully opened eligibility to all earlier this month.

More than 29% of all Delawareans 16 and older are now fully vaccinated while 47% have received at least one dose – ranking Delaware among the top states in both categories.

Given this incredible progress, my colleagues in the Senate and I are now working towards an in-person return to the chamber with Senators socially distanced on the floor, starting May 11. In the meantime, we continue to monitor the rate of COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations in Delaware, both of which are currently on the rise.

Our state last week surpassed 100,000 cases since the pandemic began and the 7-day average of new cases is now at its highest level since mid-February. The number of cases involving the more contagious COVID-19 variants is also on the rise.

As a result, Governor John Carney last week again extended Delaware’s State of Emergency for another 30 days.

At the same time, Delaware’s rate of new vaccinations has slowed since last week when the use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine was paused while the Centers for Disease Control and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration review data related to reported cases of a rare and severe type of blood clot in six people who received the vaccine.

While none of these cases occurred in Delaware, the Delaware Division of Public Health is not scheduling any appointments with the J&J vaccine and has asked all pharmacies and medical providers to do the same.

More information about the J&J vaccine can be found below.

While our state health officials are working to bring this pandemic to a close, we’re not there yet and thousands of our neighbors remain at risk. Please remain vigilant and continue to take measures we know work to fight community spread. Get tested regularly, practice responsible social distancing, wash your hands frequently and always wear a mask when out in public.

In this newsletter, you will find updates on:

  • Delaware’s COVID-19 vaccination program
  • Testing sites near us
  • Food resources for Delawareans in need
  • And more!

Be well and stay safe,

Nicole Poore
Senator, 12th District

DELAWARE COVID-19 VACCINE UPDATE

All Delawareans ages 16 and older are now eligible to receive COVID-19 vaccinations, although the availability of appointments depends on supply.

Last week, Governor Carney announced that medical providers may now begin scheduling vaccinations to all Delawareans – regardless of whether they have a high-risk medical condition.

As a result, there are now three ways to schedule an appointment:

Vaccination Events: To participate in an upcoming drive-thru or walk-up vaccination event, you must first register on the State of Delaware’s COVID-19 vaccination waiting list. Invitations to state-run vaccination events are sent via email. Click here to register today!

Anyone without internet access can register by calling 1 (833) 643-1715. Press option #2 for help. If you are 65 or older, or need accommodations based on a disability, press #1 or #3.

Participating Pharmacies: Eight pharmacy chains in Delaware are now offering vaccine appointments as supply allows. Click here for a list of participating pharmacies and links to their online scheduling systems.

Medical Providers: Reach out to your medical provider for an appointment. If they are not vaccinating patients, they will provide your name and contact information to a local healthcare system that will contact you to schedule an appointment. Providers are being asked to use their clinical judgment to continue prioritizing people with high-risk medical conditions, including disabilities.

JOHNSON & JOHNSON VACCINE UPDATE

The Delaware Division of Public Health last week agreed to temporarily pause use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine under a recommendation from the Centers for Disease Control and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Those federal agencies are now reviewing six reported cases out of 7 million doses administered in which a rare type of blood clot was discovered. All six cases occurred among women between the ages of 18 and 48, and symptoms occurred 6 to 13 days after vaccination.

While none of those cases occurred in Delaware, the state is not using J&J vaccines at its vaccination sites until further federal guidance is provided. DPH also has asked pharmacies and medical providers to pause their use of the vaccine as well.

The risk to anyone who received a J&J vaccine four weeks ago or more is very low. Anyone who received a J&J vaccine since then should contact their medical provider if they experience severe headache, abdominal pain, leg pain or shortness of breath.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION

THE LATEST COVID-19 DATA IN DELAWARE

Delaware’s rate of COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations began to climb again last week after a brief decline a week earlier.

As of Sunday, the rolling 7-day average of new COVID-19 cases was 372, up 18.5% from last week. The percentage of people who got tested and had a positive result hit 26.7%, up from 24.3% a week earlier.

The cumulative number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Delaware reached 101,158 over the weekend – a 2.6% increase from one week ago. Statewide, the rate of infection is now 1,079.8 per 10,000 people.

Hospitalizations are up week over week. As of Sunday, there were 159 people hospitalized due to COVID-19 complications, up 23.3% from a week earlier. The number of people in critical condition remained relatively flat at 22.

Delaware documented 24 additional Coronavirus-related deaths over the last week, bringing the total number of fatalities to 1,602. Of those total deaths, 46% were residents of long-term care facilities.

Visit Delaware’s Coronavirus Data Dashboard for all the latest information about COVID-19’s spread throughout the First State.

CLICK HERE TO SEE MORE STATE-LEVEL DATA

GET TESTED NOW, GET TESTED OFTEN

Fast, free and convenient testing sites are available in our area.

Click here for a full list of state-run and community testing sites in Delaware.

Click here to reserve a testing time at a local Walgreens.

Seniors and others in high-risk health categories can get test kits delivered to their homes. You will need to download Zoom to your smartphone or other electronic device to complete the test. Click here for more information.

New Castle County Pop-Up Testing Locations

Tuesday, April 20
11 a.m. – 7 p.m.: University of Delaware Hollingsworth Lot (61 North College Avenue, Newark, DE 19716) Register: delaware.curativeinc.com
2 p.m. – 6 p.m.: Wilmington University Rt. 13 (320 N. Dupont Highway, New Castle, DE 19720) Register: delaware.curativeinc.com

Wednesday, April 21
9 a.m. – 12 p.m. and 5 p.m. – 7 p.m.: Henrietta Johnson Medical Center (601 New Castle Avenue, Wilmington, DE 19801) Register by calling 302-655-6187
12 p.m. – 4 p.m.: ChristianaCare Hospital, Portal 1 Parking Lot (4755 Ogletown Stanton Road, Newark, DE 19718) Register: delaware.curativeinc.com

Thursday, April 22
10 a.m. – 4 p.m.: City of Love Church at Brandywine (2200 N. Market St, Wilmington, DE 19802) Register: delaware.curativeinc.com
11 a.m. – 3 p.m.: Delaware Park (777 Delaware Park Blvd, Wilmington, DE 19804) Register: delaware.curativeinc.com
1 p.m. – 7 p.m.: Henrietta Johnson Medical Center (601 New Castle Avenue, Wilmington, DE 19801) Register by calling 302-655-6187

Friday, April 23
10 a.m. – 6 p.m.: University of Delaware Laird Campus Lot #6 (David Hollowell Dr, Newark DE 19716) Register: delaware.curativeinc.com
2 p.m. – 6 p.m.: Thomas Edison Charter School (Indoor Walk Up – 2200 Locust St, Wilmington, DE 19802) Register: delaware.curativeinc.com

Saturday, April 24
10 a.m. – 3 p.m.: University of Delaware STAR Campus (540 S College Avenue, Newark, DE 19713) Register: delaware.curativeinc.com
10 a.m. – 4 p.m.: Bethel AME Church (604 North Walnut St, Wilmington, DE 19801) Register: delaware.curativeinc.com
11 a.m. – 2 p.m.: Henrietta Johnson Medical Center (601 New Castle Avenue, Wilmington, DE 19801) Register by calling 302-655-6187

FOOD RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO DELAWAREANS

The Food Bank of Delaware’s monthly drive-thru pantries are helping to keep food on the table for thousands throughout this pandemic. The next round of drive-thru pantries will be held in May.

A number of resources are also available to Delawareans in need until then.

COVID-19 RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM AVAILABLE

The Delaware Housing Assistance Program is once again offering financial support to eligible renters impacted by COVID-19 through job losses, reduced hours or other circumstances.

DEHAP now provides up to 12 months of financial assistance for rent owed as far back as April 2020. An additional three months of extended help is also available under certain conditions.

Income restrictions apply and all payments will be made directly to landlords. Both landlords and tenants can apply for DEHAP, but they will need to work together to ensure proper documentation is provided by both parties.

Tenants who received DEHAP assistance in the past can participate, but will need to reapply since the eligibility requirements and program documentation have changed.

Click here to review income eligibility by county and other program requirements or call (866) 935-0407. A list of frequently asked questions and their answers also can be found here.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE

Weekly COVID-19 Press Briefing

Be sure to tune in for Governor John Carney’s weekly press briefing at 1:45 p.m. every Tuesday for the latest information and announcements.

You can watch by visiting his Facebook page or by visiting the State of Delaware’s livestream page.

COVID Alert DE App

More than 100,000 Delawareans have downloaded this free and anonymous app that will alert you when you’ve been exposed to someone who tested positive for COVID-19. The app works regardless of whether that person lives in Delaware, Pennsylvania, Maryland, New Jersey, New York or Washington D.C.

NEW MOBILE APP FOR DELAWARE STATE FORESTS

Visitors to Delaware’s beautiful state forests can now locate trails, hunting stands and parking areas using a new mobile app launched last week.

The Avenza Maps mobile app uses your phone’s built-in GPS system to find you on the map, even when your phone is out of range of a network or Internet connection. Users can select a map of interest, download it and store it to their phone. A blue dot follows users wherever they go so they always know where they are.

Users can zoom in and out, navigate from place to place, mark points of interest and easily attach photos exactly where they were taken.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION

The Week Ahead