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.
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
