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