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
- 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.: Warner Elementary School (801 W. 18th St., Wilmington, DE 19802) Register: delaware.curativeinc.com
- 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.: University of Delaware Hollingsworth Lot (61 N. College Ave., Newark, DE 19716) Register: delaware.curativeinc.com
Wednesday, May 26
- 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. and 5 p.m. – 7 p.m.: Henrietta Johnson Medical Center (601 New Castle Ave., Wilmington, DE 19801) Register by calling 302-655-6187
- 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.: Siegel Jewish Community Center (101 Garden of Eden Road, Wilmington, DE 19803) Register: delaware.curativeinc.com
- 12 p.m. – 4 p.m.: ChristianaCare Wilmington Hospital, 601 Parking Lot (601 Delaware Ave., Wilmington, DE 19801) Register: delaware.curativeinc.com
Thursday, May 27
- 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.: Elsmere Library (30 Spruce Ave., Wilmington, DE 19805) Register: delaware.curativeinc.com
- 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.: Dickey Park (60 Madison Drive, Newark, DE 19711) Register: delaware.curativeinc.com
- 1 p.m. – 7 p.m.: Henrietta Johnson Medical Center (601 New Castle Ave., Wilmington, DE 19801) Register by calling 302-655-6187
Friday, May 28
- 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.: Hockessin United Methodist Church (7250 Lancaster Pike, Hockessin, DE 19707) Register: delaware.curativeinc.com
Saturday, May 29
- 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.: City of Love Church at Brandywine (2200 N. Market St., Wilmington, DE 19802) Register: delaware.curativeinc.com
- 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.: Townsend Fire Company (107 Main St., Townsend, DE 19734) Register: delaware.curativeinc.com
- 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.: Henrietta Johnson Medical Center (601 New Castle Ave., Wilmington, DE 19801) Register by calling 302-655-6187
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.
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.
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.
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.