Hello friends and neighbors,
So far, 10% of all Delawareans have received their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine and our state continues to rank among the top states in the nation in terms of efficiency in our vaccine distribution.
Even better, the number of new COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations has declined each of the last four weeks.
Please keep in mind that the Delaware Division of Public Health’s ability to continue distributing vaccines at this pace most likely will be impacted by the limited supply of doses nationwide. 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. Fortunately, the Biden Administration has announced a 22% increase in weekly vaccine supply, starting this month.
If you are 65 or older, 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.
Remember, registering simply puts you on a list of people willing to receive the vaccine. You will receive a series of emails and questionnaires that must be filled out to receive an invitation to participate in a state-operated vaccination event.
DPH is also working to make additional vaccinations available through local pharmacies and medical providers, while also ensuring historically underserved communities of color have access to these potentially life-saving vaccines.
Delaware’s lead public health agency is focused on first delivering initial doses to the highest risk seniors 65 and older, but they have committed to providing a second dose within 42 days, in keeping with the latest CDC guidelines.
Please reach out to me about any issues or concerns you might have 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.
In this newsletter, you will find updates on:
- Delaware’s vaccination program
- Testing sites in our area
- The latest update to Delaware’s State of Emergency
- And more!
Be well and stay safe!
Nicole Poore
Senator, 12th District
DELAWARE COVID-19 VACCINE UPDATE
DPH is prioritizing seniors ages 65 and older, while building out the distribution infrastructure needed to provide vaccinations to larger and larger segments of the population.
Seniors have multiple options for scheduling their first dose:
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.
Please be patient if you registered with DPH, but have not yet received an invitation to be vaccinated.
The first available doses are going to those seniors most at risk for getting COVID or suffering serious complications. Priority is given based on age and the presence of chronic medical conditions, especially multiple conditions.
DPH is taking steps to ensure our historically underserved neighbors have equitable access to the vaccine. Click here to read more about their efforts.
Frontline essential workers under the age of 65 are also eligible for vaccination under Phase 1B, including first responders and correctional officers, teachers and childcare providers, public transit and postal service workers, and grocery store employees.
First responders who already received an initial dose are now being scheduled for a second dose at one of seven events scheduled between Feb. 1 and Feb. 18. Hospitals have received about 4,000 doses for seniors and their own Phase 1A healthcare workers. The Delaware Department of Education also has coordinated vaccinations for 1,200 educators and school staff.
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
COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS EASED BY GOVERNOR CARNEY
With COVID-19 case rates and hospitalizations falling back to pre-Thanksgiving levels, Governor John Carney last week announced several significant steps toward our improved economic recovery and public health that went into effect at 8 a.m. on February 5.
Occupancy changes
Restaurants, retail stores, gyms, houses of worship, arts venues and other business locations now can allow up to 50% of their building’s stated fire capacity indoors. Businesses still need to follow responsible social distancing guidelines and other measures designed to protect the public’s health.
Athletics
Youth and amateur sports are allowed to resume under plans approved by DPH. Delawareans who travel out of state for sports tournaments and competitions are strongly encouraged to self-quarantine upon their return.
Vaccinations
Health care providers, pharmacies, and other entities that participate in Delaware’s vaccination program must offer the shots free of charge, although insurance information may be collected.
Vaccination providers also must now adhere to the state’s eligibility criteria and must report complete demographic information about vaccine recipients to ensure those protocols are being followed.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION
THE LATEST COVID-19 DATA IN DELAWARE
Thanks to our vaccination efforts and the diligence of Delawareans, we are now a full month into our recovery from the holiday surge. COVID-19’s presence remains elevated in the First State so please remain vigilant.
The cumulative number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Delaware reached 80,594 over the weekend – a 3.2% increase from one week ago. Statewide, the rate of infection is now 859.6 cases for every 10,000 people.
Hospitalizations are also improving. As of this morning, there were 263 people in the hospital due to COVID-19 complications, down 16.5% from last week. The number of people in critical condition fell to 33.
Delaware documented a spike of 118 new Coronavirus-related deaths over the last week, bringing the total number of fatalities to 1,208. Of those, 52% 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
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.
We are just a few days from the February 12 start of Phase 1 in DelDOT’s massive, three-year reconstruction of Interstate 95 bridges, ramps and roadways.
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 1-95 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