COVID-19 stats continue decline as vaccinations rise

As Gov. John Carney announced Friday that he will lift Delaware’s mask mandate May 21, the state also released statistics showing that COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations are continuing to decline after a spring surge.

As of Tuesday, the average daily number of new cases was 135.9 on a rolling seven-day average. The average for those testing positive was 15.1%, down from 18% The rate of number of tests that were positive was 3.8%, down from 4.2%.

Health officials said Delaware resident have had 106,715 positive cases of COVID-19 reported to DPH and 80 people are hospitalized, down 35 from last week. Five are critically ill.

1,651 Delawareans have died from COVID-19, 22 in the last week.

Random laboratory checks on positive samples show that about 800 Delaware residents have had a variant form of COVID-19. Of those, 568 have had the United Kingdom B.1.1.7 form and 222 have had the New York B.1.526 form.

As of Friday morning, 830,781 doses of  COVID-19 vaccine have been given in Delaware. The state said 434,934 Delaware residents ages 16 and older have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. The represents 56% of the currently eligible population, with 344,780, or 44.4% of the population fully vaccinated.

Where to be tested week of May 17

New Castle County

• Monday, May 17 from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.: Scott AME Zion Church (629 E. 7th St., Wilmington) Register here.
• Monday, May 17 from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.: Elsmere Library (30 Spruce Ave., Wilmington) Register here.
• Tuesday, May 18 from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.: Hockessin United Methodist Church (7250 Lancaster Pike, Hockessin) Register here.
• Tuesday, May 18 from 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.: University of Delaware Hollingsworth Lot (61 N. College Ave., Newark) Register here.
• Wednesday, May 19 from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. and 5 p.m. – 7 p.m.: Henrietta Johnson Medical Center (601 New Castle Ave., Wilmington)Register here.
• Wednesday, May 19 from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.: Richardson Park Elementary School (16 Idella Ave., Wilmington) Register here.
• Wednesday, May 19 from 12 p.m. – 4 p.m.: ChristianaCare Hospital, Portal 1 Parking Lot (4755 Ogletown Stanton Road, Newark) Register here.
• Thursday, May 20 from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.: Warner Elementary School (801 W. 18^th St., Wilmington) Register here.
  
• Thursday, May 20 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.: Glasgow Park, Hermitage (U.S. 40, Newark) Register here.
  
• Thursday, May 20 from 1 p.m. – 7 p.m.: Henrietta Johnson Medical Center (601 New Castle Ave., Wilmington) Register by calling 302-655-6187
• Friday, May 21 from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.: Dickey Park (60 Madison Drive, Newark) Register here.
• Saturday, May 22 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.: Bethel AME Church (603 N. Walnut St., Wilmington) Register here. 
• Saturday, May 22 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.: St. Joseph Parish (371 E. Main St., Middletown) Register here.
• Saturday, May 22 from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.: Henrietta Johnson Medical Center (601 New Castle Ave., Wilmington) Register here.

Kent County

• Monday, May 17 from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.: Clayton Fire Co. (300 East St., Clayton) Register here.

• Tuesday, May 18 from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.: Bethel AME Church (205 NW 4th St., Milford) Register here.
• Wednesday, May 19 from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.: Caesar Rodney High School (239 Old North Road, Camden) Register here.
• Thursday, May 20 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.: Whatcoat UMC Dover (341 Saulsbury Road, Dover) Register here.
• Friday, May 21 from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.: Hartly Fire Co. (2898 Arthursville Road, Hartley) Register here.

Sussex County

• Monday, May 17 from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.: Epworth UM Church (19285 Holland Glade Road, Rehoboth Beach) Register here.
• Tuesday, May 18 from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.: Delaware Tech Owens Campus – Lot A (21179 College Drive, Georgetown) Register here.
  
• Wednesday, May 19 from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Indian River High School (29772 Armory Road, Dagsboro) Register here.
• Thursday, May 20 from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.: Selbyville Fire Co. (30 N. Main St., Selbyville) Register here.

Betsy Price

Betsy Price is a Wilmington freelance writer who has 40 years of experience, including 15 at The News Journal in Delaware.