Hello friends and neighbors,
Vaccination rates in Delaware are continuing to climb while the number of new COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations are falling to record lows.
The steady progress led Governor John Carney to announce last week that he plans to lift the COVID-19 State of Emergency on July 13 – almost 16 months to the day after the pandemic began.
But more Delawareans still need to get vaccinated if we are going to reach the 70% immunization rate that many experts believe is needed to achieve herd immunity. As of Sunday, nearly 68.9% of adults in Delaware had received at least one dose of the vaccine.
Vaccinations are now available to any Delawarean ages 12 and older at walk-up sites in all three counties, community clinics, state service centers, local pharmacies and area health centers.
To help our state continue moving in the right direction, Gov. Carney and the Delaware Division of Public Health recently launched a public education and incentive program called DE Wins! that is rewarding vaccinated Delawareans with prizes and deals at local small businesses and restaurants.
You can also help us get to President Biden’s goal of 70% by July 4. Ask your family and friends if they’ve been vaccinated. Even if you are young, healthy and unconcerned about getting COVID-19, please do your part to help protect our immunocompromised neighbors by getting vaccinated today.
In the meantime, be sure to 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:
- The end of Delaware’s State of Emergency
- Incentives for getting vaccinated
- Vaccination and testing sites near us
- Food resources and rental assistance
- And more!
Be well and stay safe!
Nicole Poore
Senator, District 12
STATE OF EMERGENCY TO END ON JULY 13
After weeks of gradually easing a number of long-standing pandemic restrictions, Governor Carney recently announced he intends to lift the
COVID-19 State of Emergency order on July 13.
First signed on March 12, 2020, the State of Emergency has helped to save lives and limit the spread of COVID-19. Over the last year, we’ve learned a lot about how to prevent infections, serious illness and hospitalizations. We’ve also reached a 63% vaccination rate among adults, including nearly 92% of seniors over the age of 65.
Those who are unvaccinated are strongly encouraged to get a shot and continue to wear a mask in accordance with guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
DELAWARE LAUNCHES VACCINE INCENTIVE PROGRAM
Gov. Carney and the Division of Public Health recently launched a public education and vaccine incentive program called DE Wins!
From now through June 29, every Delawarean who gets vaccinated will be eligible to win $5,000 in cash and additional prizes, including full scholarships at Delaware universities, tickets to Firefly, four-day vacation packages at Delaware’s beaches, a year-long DART pass, free tolls in the state and more.
Small businesses throughout the state are also offering incentives to vaccinated Delawareans.
Click here to view the list of winners so far.
On June 30, every Delawarean who has received the COVID-19 vaccine also will be entered to win a $302,000 cash prize or two low-digit license plates.
- Delawareans 12+ vaccinated from May 25 – June 29, and any Delawarean ages 12-17, will be entered to win $5,000 in cash or additional prizes in twice-weekly drawings conducted by the Delaware Lottery. View the full list of prizes at dewins.org.
- All Delawareans who have been vaccinated are eligible to win $302,000 or two-low number license plates. The winners will be announced June 30.
- Delaware small businesses are offering incentives for all vaccinated Delawareans through June 30. View offers at dewins.org/partners.
- You don’t have to take any additional steps to enter as long as you get vaccinated in Delaware before June 29, 2021.
THE LATEST COVID-19 DATA IN DELAWARE
Delaware’s rate of COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and deaths have continued a steady decline since late April.
As of Sunday, the rolling 7-day average of new COVID-19 cases was 28, down 36% from two weeks ago and the lowest rate of the entire pandemic. The average percentage of people who got a positive test result fell to 5.2, down from 8.6 earlier this month.
The cumulative number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Delaware reached 109,548 over the weekend – a 0.4% increase from two weeks ago. Statewide, the rate of infection is now 1173.2 cases per 10,000 people.
As of Sunday, there were 24 people hospitalized due to COVID-19 complications, down from 29 people two weeks earlier. The number of people in critical condition held at 3, the same number as two weeks ago.
Delaware documented 6 additional Coronavirus-related deaths over the last two weeks, bringing the total number of fatalities to 1,683. 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.
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.
New Castle County Community Vaccination Locations
All Week (8:30 – 11:30 a.m. and 1:15 – 4 p.m.)
- Canby Park: 1946 Maryland Ave., Wilmington, DE 19805
- Delaware Tech Wilmington: 300 N Orange Street, Wilmington, DE 19801
- Hudson Public Health Clinic: 501 Ogletown Road, Newark, DE 19711
- Oxford Plaza: 256 Chapman Road, Suite 100, Newark, DE 19702
- Porter Public Health Clinic: 509 W. 8th St., Wilmington, DE 19801
Wednesday, June 23
- 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.: Main Street Alfresco on Main Street Newark (Main Street, Newark, DE 19711) Pfizer available. Click here to choose your date and time.
Thursday, June 24
- Noon to 4 p.m. – Kirkwood Park Community Youth Resource Fair (11th & Spruce Streets, Wilmington) Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson Available. No Appointment Required.
Friday, June 25
- 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. – New Castle County Farmers Market (Glasgow Park, 2275 Pulaski Highway, Newark) Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson Available. No Appointment Required.
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 drive-thru testing time at a local Walgreens.
Click here for more information about how seniors and others in high-risk health categories can get test kits delivered to their homes.
New Castle County Pop-Up Testing Locations
Tuesday, June 22
- 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.: University of Delaware Hollingsworth Lot (61 North College Ave., Newark, DE 19716) Register: delaware.curativeinc.com
Wednesday, June 23
- 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
- 12 p.m. – 4 p.m.: ChristianaCare Wilmington Hospital, 601 Parking Lot (601 Delaware Ave., Wilmington, DE 19801) Register: delaware.curativeinc.com
- 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.: Siegel Jewish Community Center (101 Garden of Eden Road, Wilmington, DE 19803) Register: delaware.curativeinc.com
Thursday, June 24
- 1 p.m. – 7 p.m.: Henrietta Johnson Medical Center (601 New Castle Ave., Wilmington, DE 19801) Register by calling 302-655-6187
- Friday, June 25
- 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.: University of Delaware Laird Campus Lot #6 (David Hollowell Drive, Newark DE 19716) Register: delaware.curativeinc.com
- 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.: Dickey Park (60 Madison Drive, Newark, DE 19711) Register: delaware.curativeinc.com
Saturday, June 26
- 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
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.
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.
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.
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.
Visiting LegHall: A total of 25 seats in the Senate gallery is now available to members of the public each session day. Seats can be reserved in advance, starting at 5 p.m. each Monday through Wednesday, on the Delaware General Assembly website.
Legislative session will continue to be broadcast online and committee meetings will continue to be conducted virtually through June. Click here for more information.