breast cancer

25th Breast Cancer Update to focus on access, advances

Staff WriterHeadlines, Health

The Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition will offer its 25th Annual Breast Cancer Update virtually April 19. “As someone who has seen firsthand the impact of medical care disparities on breast cancer patients, I am passionate about the need to address access and equity issues in healthcare,” said Dr. Karen Louie of Christiana Care said. “No one should be denied access …

Delaware will close its COVID-19 call centers Tuesday, Jan. 31.

Public Health to close COVID-19 call centers Tuesday

Betsy PriceHeadlines, Health

In another sign that COVID-19 is becoming a part of ordinary life, the Delaware Division of Public Health will close its COVID-19 call center and vaccine call center Tuesday because the number of calls has dwindled. It’s one more indication that the state and the federal government are starting to consider how to handle the ebbing of the pandemic as …

COVD-19

Winter 2023 COVID-19 surge far lower than 2022

Betsy PriceHeadlines, Health

The number of post-holiday COVID-19 cases is dramatically down this year than it was last January, according to the Delaware Division of Public Health. This time last year, the state saw 3,666 new cases reported on Jan. 6 with 759 hospitalizations on Jan. 12. This year, there were 266 new cases reported on Jan. 6, with 202 hospitalizations (24 critical) …

flu virus

Delaware flu cases plateau, but will holidays trigger rise?

Betsy PriceHeadlines, Health

The week after the state announced the first flu death of the season, the number of confirmed flu cases dropped for two weeks in a row, leading to hopes that infections may have plateaued. The drop to 1,014 cases for the week ending Dec. 17, follows a small decline from 1,125 cases the previous week and 1,154 cases the week …

A Beebe Nurse Delaware health equity Delaware hospitals Underserved

Here’s how Del. hospitals focus on underserved communities

Noah ZuckerHeadlines, Health

TidalHealth Nanticoke purchased mobile medical vans to take healthcare services to hard-to-reach communities. Beebe Healthcare started a monkeypox vaccination program for the LGBTQ+ community at the beach. ChristianaCare created a new wellness and psychotherapy center for transgender patients. These are just a few of the initiatives highlighted in the Delaware Healthcare Association’s “Health Equity Report,” which details ways state hospitals …

Delawareans line up at DelTech in Dover to be tested before the Thanksgiving break.

Delaware to close Curative COVID-19 test sites

Staff WriterHeadlines, Health

Delaware’s COVID-19 testing partner Curative Inc. will not renew its contract with the state when it expires in two weeks. Wednesday, Dec. 28 will be the last day for Curative test site collection.  Other Curative sites, such as the one located at the University of Delaware, have already closed. The last day for Curative testing at Delaware State Service Centers …

RSV virus

Winter viruses & kids: Difficulty breathing? Seek help

Charles MegginsonHeadlines, Health

Delaware’s public health agency already has identified 4,274 lab-confirmed cases of influenza — significantly more than the entire 2021-2022 flu season. It’s confirmed 718 cases of RSV, and the state’s seven-day average for new COVID cases is 164, up from 106 a month ago.  Welcome to the tripledemic health officials have been warning about. All three viruses have similar systems: …

ChristianaCare Hospital Wilmington

ChristianaCare lifts COVID-19 visitation restrictions

Staff WriterHeadlines, Health

ChristianaCare has lifted its COVID-19 visitation restrictions at its hospitals. The company’s mask mandate will remain in place. In a news release Wednesday, the health system said it will return to its pre-COVID visitation policy.  Effective immediately: Hospitalized patients may accept visitors between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m. The number of visitors per patient is not restricted. Hospital visitors must …

RSV virus

COVID, flu, RSV case rise could mean holiday tripledemic

Betsy PriceHealth, Headlines

  As the number of cases of three winter respiratory viruses rise sharply in Delaware, state officials on Monday asked residents to take action to protect themselves and their families. Gov. John Carney compared the increasing numbers of COVID to rises at this time in 2020 and 2021, leading into the holidays. State health officials would like to avoid a …

Lead in Delaware Schools

General Assembly to hold virtual forum on lead in schools

Charles MegginsonHeadlines, Health

The General Assembly will hold a public forum next week focused on the recent discovery of lead in the water supplies of nearly 50 Delaware school buildings. The virtual forum will be held Monday, Nov. 14 at 7:30 p.m. “Like many parents throughout Delaware, my fellow legislators and I are very concerned about the presence of any lead in the …