Key updates from around the state today:
319 positive cases of coronavirus have been confirmed in Delaware and ten deaths. This includes three deaths at the Little Sisters of the Poor Jeanne Jugan residence in Newark. Fifty-seven people are currently hospitalized with the coronavirus.
Of the most recent deaths, all had significant underlying health conditions and involved an:
- 87-year-old woman from New Castle County
- 89-year-old man from New Castle County
- 94-year-old woman from New Castle County
Converting large public spaces into hospitals: As the state prepares for a surge in hospitalizations, the National Guard and Delaware Emergency Management Agency officials have identified several possible sites for use for non-critically ill patients, so that COVID-19 patients can get focused on hospital care.
The News Journal is reporting sites under consideration include 76ers Fieldhouse in Wilmington, Chase Center on the Riverfront and UD’s Fieldhouse in Newark.
A Delaware distributor of protective clothing and equipment has received a shipment of more than one million earloop masks, a portion of which will be reserved for use in the First State.
The University of Delaware officially resumed the spring semester, moving all classes online. Thousands of college students will be using technology to participate in their studies remotely.
New Castle County Executive Matt Meyer will give his annual budget address via Facebook Live tonight, during which he will call for $2 million in emergency COVID-19 response funding. The money would be used to support the purchase of personal protective equipment, housing rental assistance and emergency services for county residents in need.
Nonprofits like the Ministry of Caring are urgently seeking donations to continue to provide food for “growing numbers of homeless and poor.”
“We need to let the community know that all our efforts are in feeding the hungry and sheltering the homeless,” said Brother Ronald Giannone, OFM Cap., the ministry founder and executive director. “A daunting mission, while facing the coronavirus, and how dangerously it spreads.” Donations can be made here: https://www.ministryofcaring.org/
