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DHSS Press Release

Dr. Kara Odom Walker, Secretary
Jill Fredel, Director of Communications
302-255-9047, Cell 302-357-7498
Email: DPHMedia@Delaware.gov

Date: May 13, 2020
DHSS-5-2020

COVID-19 UPDATE FOR MAY 13, 2020: DPH ANNOUNCES 211 ADDITIONAL POSITIVE CASES; 10 NEW DEATHS; 140 ADDITIONAL RECOVERED

SMYRNA (May 13, 2020) - The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) is announcing 10 additional fatalities related to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and is providing an update on the number of positive cases and recovered individuals. All data reported through the daily updates are based on data received as of 6 p.m. the previous day.

In addition, DPH is announcing that the first testing event under Delaware's expanded statewide testing program will be held tomorrow, Thursday, May 14, 2020, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., hosted by Nanticoke Health Services at Frederick Douglass Elementary School, 1 Swain Road, Seaford. This testing event will utilize saliva-based test kits. Individuals are strongly encouraged to pre-register at http://delaware.curativeinc.com, but on-site registration will also be available. Individuals being tested are advised to not eat or drink anything, or brush their teeth, for at least 20 minutes before their testing appointment, as it may decrease the accuracy of the test.

As additional testing sites are scheduled, more information be provided on the testing section of the Delaware coronavirus website at: https://coronavirus.delaware.gov/testing/.

The Governor recently announced a significant statewide expansion of the state's COVID-19 testing program, in partnership with Delaware's hospital systems, community health care centers, primary care providers, and long-term care facilities. The new testing program will allow the State of Delaware to conduct 80,000 tests monthly - more than four times the current level of testing statewide.

In total, 247 Delawareans have passed away due to complications from COVID-19. Individuals who have died from COVID-19 ranged in age from 22 to 103 years old. Of those who have died, 129 were females and 118 were males. A total of 102 individuals were from New Castle County, 45 were from Kent County, 99 were from Sussex County, and one individual's county of residence is unknown at this time.

The most recent deaths announced today ranged in age from 55 to 91. Three were female and seven were male. Two were New Castle County residents, two were Kent County residents, and six were Sussex County residents. All 10 of the individuals had underlying health conditions. Five of the individuals were residents of long-term care facilities.

To protect personal health information, DPH will not confirm specific information about any individual case, even if other persons or entities disclose it independently.

The latest Delaware COVID-19 case statistics* cumulatively since March 11, provided as of 6 p.m., Tuesday, May 12, include:

6,952 total positive cases
New Castle County cases: 2,496
Kent County cases: 1,084
Sussex County cases: 3,336
Unknown County: 36
Females: 3,795; Males: 3,135; Unknown: 22
Age range: 0 to 103
Currently hospitalized: 282; Critically ill: 55 (This data represents individuals currently hospitalized in a Delaware hospital regardless of residence, and is not cumulative.)
Delawareans recovered: 2,942
27,801 negative cases**

*Data are provisional and subject to change.
**Data on negative cases are preliminary, based on negative results reported to DPH by state and commercial laboratories performing analysis.

Additional demographic data on COVID-19 cases and deaths, including race/ethnicity, more age-specific data and rates information by ZIP code, can be found on the Division of Public Health's My Healthy Community data portal.

Delaware is considering patients fully recovered seven days after the resolution of their symptoms. Three days after symptoms resolve, patients are no longer required to self-isolate at home; however, they must continue to practice strict social distancing for the remaining four days before returning to their normal daily routine.

If you are sick with any of the following symptoms,stay home fever, cough, shortness of breath, sore throat,muscle fatigue,or digestive symptoms such as vomiting,diarrhea, abdominal pain or lack of appetite.If you are sick and need essential supplies, ask someone else to go to the grocery store or the pharmacy to get what you need.

If you think you have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, or have symptoms of illness, make sure to distance yourself from others, particularly vulnerable populations. Older adults and people of any age with serious underlying medical conditions - including serious heart conditions, chronic lung conditions, including moderate to severe asthma, severe obesity and those who are immunocompromised, including through cancer treatment - might be at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19.

Statewide testing at standing health facility testing sites require a physician's order or prescription to be tested (*Bayhealth patients will be pre-screened via phone without needing to see a provider first). These are not walk-in testing sites. Those without a primary care provider can call the DPH Call Center Line at 1-866-408-1899 (closed for Easter Sunday). In New Castle County, individuals can call ChristianaCare at 1-302-733-1000 and Sussex County residents who do not have a provider can call the Beebe COVID-19 Screening Line at 302-645-3200. Individuals awaiting test results, should wait to hear back from their medical provider. The DPH Call Center does not have test results.

Anyone with a question about COVID-19, whether related to medical or social service needs, should call Delaware 2-1-1; or 7-1-1 for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing, or text your ZIP code to 898-211. Hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

In addition, the Division of Public Health asks any Delaware health care, long-term care, residential, or other high-risk facility with questions or concerns to email DPH_PAC@delaware.gov or call the DPH Call Center at 1-866-408-1899 and press ext. 2.

Questions can also be submitted by email at DPHCall@delaware.gov.

DPH will continue to update the public as more information becomes available. For the latest on Delaware's response, go to de.gov/coronavirus.

Delaware Health and Social Services is committed to improving the quality of the lives of Delaware's citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations.

COVID-19 UPDATE FOR MAY 13, 2020: DPH ANNOUNCES 211 ADDITIONAL POSITIVE CASES; 10 NEW DEATHS; 140 ADDITIONAL RECOVERED

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