Hello friends and neighbors,

Delaware’s COVID-19 vaccination program is moving forward just as quickly as doses become available from the federal government.

Roughly 12% of Delawareans have now received their first dose, even as the number of new cases and hospitalizations continues falling thanks to people like you following responsible mitigation practices like social distancing, mask wearing and hand washing.

This week, the Division of Public Health is providing second doses to nearly 4,000 people who received their initial shot at large-scale events prior to Jan. 19.

Registration will open at 11 a.m. tomorrow for a 6-day, second-dose vaccination event at Dover International Speedway, starting Feb. 20. Those second-dose appointments will be available only to those people who received a first dose at the following events:

• Dover Division of Motor Vehicles on January 16-18
• Salesianum School in Wilmington on January 18
• Delaware City Division of Motor Vehicles on January 22-24
• Georgetown Division of Motor Vehicles on January 23-24

Click here to sign up for an appointment as soon as the registration opens at 11 a.m.

More first and second doses are also being made available at local hospitals, pharmacies and other medical providers. If you already received your first dose at one of those sites, be sure to inquire with those locations about scheduling your second dose or visit de.gov/getmyvaccine for a list of options.

Remember, second-dose appointments may be hard to come by initially due to limited vaccine supplies. There are 270,000 workers and seniors in the current phases, and Delaware has been receiving only about 15,000-20,000 doses per week.

The Delaware Division of Public Health will continue to deliver first doses to the highest risk seniors ages 65 and older, but is committed to providing a second dose as soon as possible and within 42 days, in keeping with the latest CDC guidelines.

In the meantime, seniors can still register for a first dose of the vaccine. Click here if you are 65 or older and would like to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Seniors without computer access can call the COVID-19 Vaccine Call Center at 1 (833) 643-1715 to register.

Please reach out to me about any issues or concerns regarding DPH’s vaccination program. My colleagues and I are working closely with agency officials to get you answers.

Click here for additional information about Delaware’s vaccine rollout, or click here specifically for information about second doses.

In this newsletter, you will find updates on:

• Delaware’s COVID-19 vaccination program
• Testing sites in our area
• Affordable Care Act enrollment
• Tax relief for the unemployed
• DelDOT’s Restore the Corridor project on I-95
• And more!

Be well and stay safe!

Nicole Poore
Senator, 12th District

DELAWARE COVID-19 VACCINE UPDATE

Registration is will open at 11 a.m. tomorrow for a 6-day, second-dose vaccination event at Dover International Speedway that will begin on Saturday, Feb. 20.

Those second-dose appointments will be available only to those people who received a first dose at the following events:

• Dover Division of Motor Vehicles on January 16-18
• Salesianum School in Wilmington on January 18
• Delaware City Division of Motor Vehicles on January 22-24
• Georgetown Division of Motor Vehicles on January 23-24

Click here to sign up for an appointment as soon as the registration opens at 11 a.m.

DPH this week is continuing to administer second doses to people who received their first doses at state-sponsored events on or before January 18.

The 3,800 appointments available at Delaware Technical Community College campuses in each of our three counties went quickly, but additional openings could become available. If you qualify but were not able to schedule an appointment at one of these events, please continue checking these websites for openings:

Wilmington: https://curative.com/sites/25122

Dover: https://curative.com/sites/25081

Georgetown: https://curative.com/sites/25123

Additional second-dose vaccination events for people who received their first dose at state-run events after January 24 will be announced soon.

In the meantime, seniors seeking a first dose have options:

Vaccination events: To participate in an upcoming drive-thru or walk-up vaccination event, you must first register your willingness to receive the vaccine.

Click here to register today! Seniors without computer access can call the COVID-19 Vaccine Call Center at 1 (833) 643-1715 to register.

Pharmacy-based vaccinations: Seven pharmacy chains in Delaware are now offering vaccines to seniors by appointment only.

All scheduling must be completed online. No walk-ins or phone scheduling is currently available. For a list of participating pharmacies and links to their online scheduling, click here.

Medical-provider vaccinations: Some primary-care and specialty-care providers have vaccines available for their own patients, while some may invite the public to request appointments. For a list of participating medical providers, click here.

If you get your first dose at a hospital, pharmacy or medical provider, be sure to follow up with them about getting your second dose at the same location.

Due to limited supplies, it may take a few more weeks to begin vaccinating some Phase 1B workers on a large scale. Employers should act now to set up vaccination opportunities for their personnel by emailing vaccineplanning@delaware.gov.

MORE INFORMATION ON WHERE TO GET VACCINATED

THE LATEST COVID-19 DATA IN DELAWARE

The holiday surge of new cases and hospitalizations now appears to be behind us thanks to diligence on the part of all Delawareans. This is no time to let down your guard, however. COVID-19’s presence remains elevated and new variants are now circulating throughout the U.S.

The cumulative number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Delaware reached 83,239 this morning – a 3.3% increase from one week ago. Statewide, the rate of infection is now 887.9 cases for every 10,000 people.

Hospitalizations saw significant improvement over the last week. As of this morning, there were 200 people in the hospital due to COVID-19 complications, down 24% from last week. The number of people in critical condition fell to 19.

Delaware documented 75 new Coronavirus-related deaths over the last week, bringing the total number of fatalities to 1,283. Of those, 51% 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.

HELP DELAWARE FIGHT COVID-19

Volunteers are needed to help bolster the rapidly growing vaccination infrastructure Delaware needs to deliver inoculations to nearly every resident by the end of the year.

The Delaware Medical Reserve Corps is a volunteer group of medical professionals, mental health professionals and everyday people willing to dedicate their time to help our state recover from this pandemic.

Any community member ages 18 and older can offer their services to help register Delawareans for vaccinations, manage traffic and process data at one of our large-scale vaccination events.

Please consider helping your community heal today.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION

HEALTH INSURANCE MARKETPLACE ENROLLMENT RE-OPENS

Every Delawarean deserves high-quality, affordable health care, especially during a global pandemic.

Thanks to an executive order signed by President Joe Biden, Delawareans now have another opportunity to sign up for comprehensive coverage on the federal Health Insurance Marketplace created by the Affordable Care Act.

Eligible applicants can now apply for coverage, change their existing coverage or access tax credits that can help to significantly reduce their monthly premiums.

To enroll in marketplace coverage, visit www.HealthCare.gov or www.CuidadodeSalud.gov, or call 1 (800) 318-2596 [TTY: 1 (855) 889-4325].

Click here for more information about Delaware’s Health Insurance Marketplace.

Click here to contact a local navigator for additional assistance or simply call 1 (800) 318-2596.

Click here for more information about how President Biden’s executive order is providing greater access to affordable health insurance in Delaware.

UNEMPLOYMENT TAX RELIEF NOW AVAILABLE

Governor John Carney last week signed legislation passed unanimously by the Delaware General Assembly that will provide tax relief to hundreds of small businesses and thousands of Delawareans forced out of work by the COVID-19 pandemic.

House Bill 65 is expected to save Delawareans roughly $21 million this year by waiving state income taxes on unemployment benefits collected by people who lost a job or income in 2020.

“Taxes are quickly coming due for thousands of Delawareans who have made less, had fewer opportunities, and been put out of work by the pandemic,” said Senator Jack Walsh, the lead Senate sponsor of the bill. “In a tax year defined by unemployment and shuttered businesses, it’s on all of us in state government to extend relief that is straightforward, effective, and gets where it needs to go on time. This bill does that, both for our small businesses and for the tens of thousands of workers who filed for unemployment last year. I am proud to have worked on this legislation and I thank the Governor for signing it in time to do the most good.”

HOW TO USE THE 2020 UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFIT EXEMPTION

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

Use your phone to help slow the spread of COVID-19.

This free and anonymous app will alert you when you’ve been exposed to someone who tested positive for COVID-19, regardless of whether that person lives in Delaware, Pennsylvania, Maryland, New Jersey, New York or Washington D.C.

The start of DelDOT’s massive Restore the Corridor work on Interstate 95 has been postponed until Feb. 20 due to last week’s snow storms and icy conditions.

During Phase 1, the northbound lanes of I-95 Northbound will be closed from I-495 to an area between the Brandywine River Bridge and the U.S. Route 202 off-ramp. Northbound traffic and southbound traffic will share the I-95 southbound side of the roadway, with one lane in each direction.

Click here to view a project countdown and learn more about the upcoming traffic impacts.

Answers to more than 20 frequently asked questions can be found by clicking here.

Be sure to plan ahead and consider alternative transportation options to reduce traffic congestion.

Click here for a Guide to Getting Around During Construction

To the friends and neighbors in my district,

We’re just two weeks into Phase 1B of our vaccination rollout. During my time volunteering at the vaccination sites at the Delaware City DMV and the Chase Center, I worked alongside health care workers and other volunteers as we tried to get as many people vaccinated as possible. While there have been some stumbling blocks, the results are overwhelmingly positive.

Delaware is now ranked 9th in the country in terms of the percentage of the population who have received the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccination at 8.5%. We’re also tied for 11th place when it comes to the percentage of our population who have received a second dose.

Our ability to continue at this pace will be dictated by the amount of doses coming in from the federal government. Recently, Delaware has been getting 15,000 to 20,000 doses per week, but production remains a hurdle nationwide. Click here to read more about the issues being encountered by states across the nation and countries around the world.

Given both the limited supply and the federal government basing future vaccine numbers on how many doses the state distributes, the Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) is focusing its vaccination efforts on delivering first doses to the highest-risk seniors ages 65 and older and providing second doses to high-risk health care workers as soon as possible.

If you are 65 or older, the first and most important step is to register your willingness to receive the vaccine. Click here to register today! Seniors without computer access can call the COVID-19 Vaccine Call Center at 1 (833) 643-1715 to register.

Our public health officials are committed to ensuring that all Delawareans receive a second dose within 42 days of their first vaccination in keeping with the latest CDC guidelines. The science shows that the first dose of vaccine provides 52-80% protection, making it more effective than the average flu vaccine.

In the meantime, DPH is working to get employer-based vaccination programs set up for teachers, first responders and other frontline essential workers.

Remember, we’re rolling out the largest and most extensive vaccination effort in Delaware history. There are going to be some bumps along the way as DPH scales up that program.

Please contact me with any issues you experience as DPH continues its work. My colleagues and I are in constant contact with agency officials to make sure your concerns are addressed as quickly as possible.

Click here for additional information about Delaware’s vaccine rollout.

In this newsletter you will find updates on:

• Vaccination options for seniors
• Testing sites in our area
• How Delaware is building out its vaccination infrastructure
• Additional steps to protect our most vulnerable neighbors
• And more!

From the residents in New Castle, to Delaware City, to Middletown and everywhere in between, be well and stay safe!

Nicole Poore
Senator, 12th District

DELAWARE VACCINATION PROGRAM CONTINUES

Delaware is continuing to build out the distribution infrastructure needed to provide COVID-19 vaccinations to larger and larger segments of the population.

The Division of Public Health is currently prioritizing seniors 65 and older, while laying the groundwork to vaccinate workers in essential business included in Phase 1B.

Seniors have multiple options for scheduling their first dose:

• Large scale vaccination events: To participate in an upcoming drive-thru vaccination event, you must first register your willingness to receive the vaccine. Click here to register today! Seniors without computer access can call the COVID-19 Vaccine Call Center at 1 (833) 643-1715 to register.
• Pharmacy-based vaccinations: Pharmacies will eventually become the primary location for vaccinations as more doses become available, but are now limited due to supply. Six pharmacy chains in Delaware are now offering vaccines to seniors by appointment only. All scheduling must be completed online. No walk-ins or phone scheduling is currently available. For a list of participating pharmacies and links to their online scheduling, click here.
• Medical-provider vaccinations: Some primary-care and specialty-care providers have vaccines available for their own patients, while some may invite the public to request appointments. For a list of participating medical providers, click here.

DPH is also partnering with Vault Health and community organizations to expand access to the COVID-19 vaccine among low-income and underserved seniors. A walk-up event targeted to those seniors was held Tuesday at Delaware Technical Community College in Wilmington and more events are being planned.

Educators and school staff are scaling up their own vaccination events now. The Delaware Department of Education held its first clinics in all three counties last week with separate events for child care providers planned later this month. For more information about DOE’s COVID-19 vaccination plan, click here. Email your questions to Education.CovidVaccine@doe.k12.de.us.

Essential workers who fall under Phase 1B soon will be able to get vaccinations through their employers. Businesses that do not already have a vaccination plan are asked to fill out a survey here. Questions can be emailed to VaccinePlanning@delaware.gov.

MORE INFORMATION ON WHERE TO GET VACCINATED

THE LATEST COVID-19 DATA IN DELAWARE

The cumulative number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Delaware since mid-March reached 74,575 over the weekend – a 5% increase from one week ago. Statewide, the rate of infection is now 795.2 cases for every 10,000 people.

Hospitalizations are falling from their holiday peak but remain elevated. As of this morning, there were 388 people in the hospital due to COVID-19 complications, down nearly 11% from last week. The number in critical condition fell to 52.

Delaware documented 25 additional Coronavirus-related deaths over the last week, bringing the total number of fatalities to 1,041. Of those, 53% 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 this week.

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

Walgreens is also offering test sites throughout our state. Click here to check available locations and reserve an appointment.

Seniors and other high-risk populations also can get test kits delivered to their homes. You’ll need to download Zoom to your smartphone or other electronic device to complete the test. Click here for more information on how to request an at-home test kit.

HELP DELAWARE FIGHT COVID-19

Volunteers are needed to help bolster the rapidly growing vaccination infrastructure Delaware needs to deliver inoculations to nearly every resident by the end of the year.

The Delaware Medical Reserve Corps is a volunteer group of medical professionals, mental health professionals and everyday people willing to dedicate their time to help our state recover from this pandemic.

Any community member ages 18 and older can offer their services to help register Delawareans for vaccinations, manage traffic and process data at one of our large-scale vaccination events.

Please consider helping your community heal today.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION

NEW COVID VARIANT DETECTED IN DELAWARE

Three cases of the COVID-19 variant that originated in the United Kingdom were confirmed in Delaware last week.

All three people live in the same New Castle County household and may have been exposed while attending a family gathering with people from other states. Delaware is now one of 26 states reporting cases of the UK variant.

Preliminary data suggests the UK variant may spread more easily and quickly, but it is not yet known whether it causes more severe illness than the more common Coronavirus.

Public health experts believe current testing will still detect the UK variant and existing COVID-19 vaccines will provide a similar level of protection.

Please step up your efforts to reduce the spread of COVID-19 by continuing to frequently wash your hands with soap and water. Cover any coughs or sneezes with your elbow, not your hands. Wear a mask anytime you leave your home. Practice responsible social distancing. Get tested regularly. Sign up to receive the COVID vaccine when it becomes available to you. And limit any in-person gatherings to the immediate members of your household.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION

NEW TESTING RESOURCE FOR DELAWARE GROUP HOMES

Delaware group homes, day programs and other provider-managed settings that serve people with intellectual and developmental disabilities have a new resource for protecting clients and staff.

The Delaware Department of Health and Social Services is now making rapid antigen testing kits available to providers that can detect the active COVID-19 virus in 15 minutes.

That kind of quick detection is vital when it comes to serving this especially vulnerable community, who often have underlying health conditions but also rely on close contact and care from direct support professionals who can’t always maintain responsible social distancing.

Using a shallow nasal swab, providers will be able to test staff and more readily identify asymptomatic COVID-19 positive clients. Staff members who test positive will be required to isolate at home and obtain a second COVID test to confirm the rapid test. They will not be permitted to return to work until they provide a negative COVID test or complete their isolation period.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION

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

Use your phone to help slow the spread of COVID-19.

This free and anonymous app will alert you when you’ve been exposed to someone who tested positive for COVID-19, regardless of whether that person lives in Delaware, Pennsylvania, Maryland, New Jersey, New York or Washington D.C.

Restore the Corridor – Wilmington

DelDOT’s massive, three-year reconstruction of Interstate 95 bridges, ramps and pavement is set to begin on February 12, 2021.

During Phase 1, the northbound lanes of I-95 will be closed from I-495 to an area between the Brandywine River Bridge and the U.S. Route 202 off-ramp. Northbound traffic and southbound traffic will share the 1-95 southbound side of the roadway, with one lane in each direction.

Access into/out of the City of Wilmington will remain open, but some ramps will be closed (see below image).

Commuters can access real-time travel advisories and updates by visiting DelDOT.gov or by downloading the DelDOT app from the Google Play or Apple App Store directly to their smartphones or other electronic devices.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION

Hello friends and neighbors,

As I’m sure you are aware, Phase 1B of Delaware’s vaccine distribution program encountered some stumbling blocks over the weekend. Like many of you, I was frustrated to see the long lines encountered by seniors and their families on Saturday.

As always, my colleagues and I are in constant contact with agency officials to make sure your concerns are addressed as quickly as possible. Fortunately, the Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) moved quickly to address the issues we saw on Saturday, resulting in much smoother events on Sunday.

Remember, the state is rolling out the largest and most extensive vaccination effort in Delaware history, and there are going to be some bumps along the way as we scale up that program.

It is going to require a willingness to listen and evolve on the part of the state to get it right, and it’s going to take all of us working together to get the vaccine out as quickly as possible.

Below you will find some suggestions for steps that seniors and their loved ones can take to help make this process as painless as possible.

If you are 65 or older, the first and most important step is to register your willingness to receive the vaccine. Click here to register today!

Seniors without computer access can call the COVID-19 Vaccine Call Center at 1-833-643-1715 to register.

Those who register will be notified when they can make an appointment for one of the large-scale vaccination events. Primary care providers and pharmacies throughout Delaware are also signing up to administer the vaccine to people in the 1B group, meaning you will have options when it comes to getting vaccinated.

Click here for additional information about Delaware’s vaccine rollout.

In this newsletter, you will find updates on:

• The latest news on Delaware’s vaccination efforts
• How you can help reduce wait times at vaccination events
• How you can volunteer at a vaccination event
• Testing sites in our area
• And more!

Please contact me with any issues you experience as DPH works through these initial growing pains. My colleagues and I are in constant contact with agency officials to make sure your concerns are addressed as quickly as possible.

Be well and stay safe!

Nicole Poore
Senator, 12th District

DELAWARE VACCINATION PROGRAM CONTINUES TO EVOLVE

The first day of Delaware’s full-scale, mass vaccination effort did not go as planned.

In the words of DPH Director Dr. Karyl Rattay: “The issues Saturday were not what we planned, not what we wanted to see, and certainly not what we wanted our residents to experience.”

Thanks to DPH’s quick action, Sunday’s events went much smoother and the lessons learned this weekend will be used to ensure future drive-thru events are far more pleasant experiences.

The good news is more 67,500 doses of the vaccine have been administered to date. More than 21,000 people have received their first doses in just the last eight days, including 11,000 people over the last weekend.

As we move forward, please take the following steps to help these events run as smoothly as possible:

• Make sure you are properly registered to receive a vaccine.
  • Click here to register today!
  • Seniors without computer access can call the COVID-19 Vaccine Call Center at 1-833-643-1715 to register.
• You must have a scheduled appointment.
  • Registering for a vaccination is only the first step and does not automatically mean you can show up for an appointment.
  • Be sure to check your junk or spam folders regularly to be sure you don’t miss your invitation to make an appointment.
• After you make an appointment, you will receive multiple emails from the CDC
  • Read them all
• Before you leave for your appointment, log into your VAMS account at vams.cdc.gov with the username and password you created to select your appointment.
  • On your Receipt Portal, click the link that says, “Action Required: Please complete the Prescreening Questionnaire for your upcoming appointment.”
  • A list of questions will appear.
  • Fill out the form and submit your responses.
• Make sure you bring your photo ID and proof of residency with you.
  • Staff will check both to verify you live in Delaware and are 65 or older.
• Be prepared for long wait times.
  • Bring snacks or any medication you might need.
  • Try not to drink a lot of fluids a few hours before you leave. Access to restroom facilities will be limited.
• Your confirmed appointment will be honored, even after the scheduled time.
  • Don’t give up!

REGISTER TODAY | LEARN MORE

HELP DELAWARE FIGHT COVID-19

Volunteers are needed to help bolster the rapidly growing vaccination infrastructure Delaware needs to deliver inoculations to nearly every resident by the end of the year.

The Delaware Medical Reserve Corps is a volunteer group of medical professionals, mental health professionals and everyday people willing to dedicate their time to help our state recover from this pandemic.

Any community member ages 18 and older can offer their services to help register Delawareans for vaccinations, manage traffic and process data at one of our large-scale vaccination events.

Please consider helping your community heal today.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION

THE LATEST COVID-19 DATA IN DELAWARE

The cumulative number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Delaware since mid-March reached 74,575 over the weekend – a 5% increase from one week ago. Statewide, the rate of infection is now 795.2 cases for every 10,000 people.

Hospitalizations are falling from their holiday peak but remain elevated. As of this morning, there were 388 people in the hospital due to COVID-19 complications, down nearly 11% from last week. The number in critical condition fell to 52.

Delaware documented 25 additional Coronavirus-related deaths over the last week, bringing the total number of fatalities to 1,041. Of those, 53% 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 this week.

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

Walgreens is also offering test sites throughout our state. Click here to check available locations and reserve an appointment.

Seniors and other high-risk populations also can get test kits delivered to their homes. You’ll need to download Zoom to your smartphone or other electronic device to complete the test. Click here for more information on how to request an at-home test kit.

MOBILE FOOD PANTRY IN WILMINGTON ON WEDNESDAY

The Food Bank of Delaware’s monthly mobile food pantry is this week!

Advance registration is suggested, but not required.


RESTORE THE CORRIDOR VIRTUAL PUBLIC MEETING

Many of you have no doubt heard about the massive reconstruction of Interstate 95’s bridges, ramps, and pavement set to begin on February 12, 2021.

The three-year, $200 million project is needed to extend the life of I-95 and its bridges for decades to come.

DelDOT believes tackling all of the work at once will limit the duration of the project’s impact. In the short term, however, much of New Castle County, particularly downtown Wilmington, will experience major traffic issues.

A virtual public meeting will be held at 6 p.m. on Thursday, January 28, where you can learn more about the timing of the project, upcoming lane and ramp closures, commuting solutions and how to stay up to date.

To attend, click the link below just before the meeting starts.

ACCESS THE MEETING

Hello friends and neighbors,

Phase 1B of Delaware’s COVID-19 vaccine distribution plan is here!

Anyone age 65 and older can begin registering their interest in receiving the vaccine, starting tomorrow morning. Those who register will be notified when they can make an appointment for one of the large-scale vaccination events slated to begin later this week.

Teachers, childcare providers, first responders, grocery store workers and other frontline essential workers will receive communication in the coming days on how they too can sign up to be inoculated.

Primary care providers and pharmacies throughout Delaware are also signing up to administer the vaccine to people in the 1B group, meaning you will have options when it comes to getting vaccinated.

Governor John Carney and Delaware Division of Public Health Director Dr. Karyl Rattay will hold a COVID-19 Update and Public Q&A on Phase 1B vaccine rollout January 19, at 7 p.m. Delawareans can submit questions to townhall@delaware.gov. The Q&A will be streamed on facebook.com/johncarneyde and livestream.com/stateofdelaware.

Please be patient if you are not in the 1B group. These phases are structured in order of risk and our public health team is doing all they can to make sure everyone gets access to the vaccine in a safe, orderly and fair manner.

As always, I encourage you to reach out to me with any concerns or issues you encounter as we move through what we all hope will be the final phase of this pandemic. My colleagues and I are working closing with the Delaware Division of Public Health every step of the way to make sure our distribution program runs smoothly and your questions are being answered.

Below you will find more information about Delaware’s vaccination program and how you can register in advance to receive your first dose.

In this newsletter, you also will find updates on:

• Testing sites in our area
• The return of the DE Relief Grant program
• The first week of our legislative session
• And more

Stay safe and be well,

Nicole Poore
Senator, 12th District

DELAWARE VACCINATION PROGRAM ENTERS PHASE 1B

Delaware is moving into Phase 1B of its COVID-19 vaccination plan this week.

This phase includes people 65 and older, along with teachers, childcare providers, first responders, grocery store workers and other frontline essential workers.

Delawareans who are 65 or older, as well as any remaining Phase 1A personnel, will be able to receive their first dose of the vaccine at drive-thru clinics planned across Delaware, including five scheduled for later this week.

Starting at 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, January 20, seniors will be able to register their interest in getting vaccinated at de.gov/covidvaccine. Those who register will be notified when they can make an appointment for a scheduled event.

Other options that will be made available for the more than 200,000 Delawareans eligible to receive a vaccine under Phase 1B include:

K-12 educators: The Department of Education is partnering with Acme/Safeway pharmacies to host vaccination events for educators at multiple school sites throughout the state, and to allow educators to be vaccinated at Acme/Safeway pharmacy locations. More details will come next week.

Child care workers: Vaccination options specifically for child care workers will be released the week of January 25 and closely resemble options available to K-12 educators and school staff.

Correctional officers: Officers performing 1A functions have been offered the opportunity to get vaccinated, as have a small number of inmates and officers over the age of 65 with serious medical conditions. DOC will continue receiving vaccines as supply allows and will continue vaccinating inmates and officers in order based on age and health condition.

Other frontline essential workers: Vaccination planning for eligible frontline essential workers is underway. The Division of Small Business will release information in the coming days that will assist employers who want to host their own vaccination events for their employees or who want to help their employees learn where to get vaccinated. In the meantime, questions from frontline employers about the vaccination process can be emailed to Covid19faq@delaware.gov.

Pharmacies: A list of pharmacies taking COVID-19 vaccine appointments will be available at de.gov/covidvaccine starting the week of January 25. Pharmacies are asked to limit their efforts in their stores at this time to Phase 1A and Phase 1B individuals 65 and over.

Primary care providers: Vaccines will be available to those 65 and over from some primary care and specialty care providers, such as medical practices, urgent care sites, and for patients of Federally Qualified Health Centers. Some providers will contact their own patients to offer vaccination appointments, and others may invite the public to request appointments. Medical providers who wish to vaccinate individuals must enroll in the state’s immunization system through a separate process. Information and instructions can be found on the Medical Provider page of de.gov/covidvaccine.

DPH vaccination events: DPH and its partners have scheduled five drive-through vaccination events for persons 65 and older, as well as for remaining Phase 1A personnel, on January 22 at the Delaware City Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV), and on January 23 and 24, at both the Delaware City and Georgetown DMV locations. These vaccination events are by appointment only. The Delaware City DMV will close at noon on Friday to accommodate the vaccination event.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION ON PHASE 1B

THE LATEST COVID-19 DATA IN DELAWARE

The cumulative number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Delaware since mid-March reached 70,910 over the weekend – a 8.6% increase from one week ago. Statewide, the rate of infection is now 756.2 cases for every 10,000 people.

Hospitalizations appear to have peaked again after two straight weeks of escalating numbers. As of this morning, there were 434 people in the hospital due to COVID-19 complications, down 8% from last week. The number in critical condition fell to 55.

Delaware reached a grim milestone last week, surpassing 1,000 total deaths due to complications from COVID-19. Over the last week, we documented 44 additional Coronavirus-related deaths, bringing the total number of fatalities to 1,016. Of those, 53% 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

More fast, free and convenient testing sites are available in our area this week.

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

Walgreens is also offering test sites throughout the state. Click here to check available locations and reserve an appointment.

Seniors and other high-risk populations are encouraged to request at-home test kits that can arrive in three days or less. You’ll need to download Zoom to your smartphone or electronic device to complete the test. Click here for more information on how to request an at-home test kit.

DE RELIEF GRANT APPLICATIONS NOW BEING ACCEPTED

After a brief hiatus due to the timing of the latest federal coronavirus relief package, Delaware small businesses and nonprofit organizations can once again apply for DE Relief Grants.

This vital emergency assistance can be used by restaurants, retailers, child care providers and philanthropic organizations to cover their rent and utilities, debt refinancing, safety upgrades and more. Click here to read an in-depth FAQ on who qualifies for a DE Relief Grant and how the money can be used.

More than 3,100 businesses and nonprofits have relied on this program to stay afloat with $3 out of every $4 allocated going to our hardest-hit industries and more than half of the grants going to businesses with fewer than five full-time employees.

The newest round of grants are available only to those businesses and nonprofits that have not yet had a chance to take advantage of the program.

APPLY FOR A DE RELIEF GRANT TODAY

MOBILE FOOD PANTRIES SCHEDULED FOR NEXT WEEK

The Food Bank of Delaware’s monthly mobile food pantries are continuing through 2021.

January dates have just been announced for events in each of Delaware’s three counties.

Advance registration is suggested, but not required.

Monday, January 25
11 a.m. – Dover International Speedway, 1131 N. Dupont Highway, in Dover
Pre-register: JanKentCountyFood.eventbrite.com

Wednesday, January 27
11 a.m. – Frawley Stadium, 801 Shipyard Drive, in Wilmington
Pre-register: JanNewCastleCountyFood.eventbrite.com

Friday, January 29
11 a.m. – Crossroad Community Church, 20684 State Forest Rd., near Georgetown
Pre-register: JanSussexCountyFood.eventbrite.com

THE DELAWARE STATE SENATE IS BACK IN SESSION

The State Senate officially convened the start of the 151st Delaware General Assembly on January 12 by swearing in a historically diverse class of re-elected and newly elected Senators, selecting a new President Pro Tempore, confirming a new Secretary of the Senate and adopting updated Senate rules.

As we announced last month, the Legislature will be meeting virtually for at least January and February. This change means you will be able to watch Session and participate in virtual committee hearings from the safety and comfort of your own home.

The public also will be able to playback recordings of the proceedings directly on the General Assembly website for the first time ever.

To watch live sessions of the House and Senate, visit legis.delaware.gov and click on the appropriate link under the “Live Proceedings” sections previously used to broadcast audio of the chambers’ in-person meetings.

To access recordings of the House and Senate proceedings, visit legis.delaware.gov and click on the “Meetings & Archives” tab at the top of the page to select the appropriate chamber. Click on the three lines that appear below “Watch & Listen” to select the recording you would like to view.

To join committee meetings, visit legis.delaware.gov and look for the Legislative Calendar under the Public Notice section on the front page for a list of upcoming meetings or visit the Committee Meetings page of the respective chambers. Click on the appropriate committee to open the full meeting notice. Advance registration is required and can be completed by clicking on the Meeting Link.