Delaware set a new record for new daily cases of COVID-19 on Thursday, with 1,393 reported.
The previous state record was 1,241 on Jan. 6.
It was the second straight day of 1,000-plus cases, with 1,164 new cases reported Wednesday.
The Delaware Division of Public Health took the opportunity to once again warn people not to host or attend holiday gatherings if they feel sick.
“If someone with the virus attends or hosts an Indoor gathering, there is a high risk for transmission, especially if face masks are not used and social distancing is not maintained,” a state press release said Friday. “Infected individuals can release particles and droplets of respiratory fluids that contain the SARS CoV-2 virus into the air when they exhale. When people gather indoors – where they share the same air – the very fine droplets and particles will continue to spread and can accumulate.”
While health officials have been warning about a rapid rise in the number of cases thanks to the Omicron variant, which is supposed to be more infectious than the strains that preceded, the Delta variant is still the dominant strain in Delaware.
The state said that of the 416 positive samples tested the week of Dec. 16-Dec. 22, 280 were able to be sequenced. Of those, 247 were Delta strain and 33 were Omicron strain. That brings to total number of Omicron cases to 37 cases, but there are likely hundreds more, because only a small number of cases from any week are tested.
The state also said Delaware has seen:
- 170,009 cases since March 11, 2020
- A 7-day average of new positive cases at 857.4, up from 668.7 last week
- A 7-day average for the percentage of total positive tests at 10.9%, up from 9.8% last week
- Hospitalizations at 401, up 42 from last week, with 52 critically ill, up 10 from last week
- Total COVID-19 deaths of 2,271
- Total COVID-19 deaths reported since last week: 37, including 19 from a review of vital statistics records.
- The total number of breakthrough cases is 9,858 or 1.7% of fully vaccinated individuals, causing 150 hospitalizations and 120 deaths.=
While cases are rise, vaccinations are moving up. The state pointed to Centers for Disease Control stats that said:
- The percentage of Delawareans 5+ who have received at least one dose is 80.6%
- The percentage of Delawareans 12+ who have received at least one dose is 86.2%
- The percentage of Delawareans 18+ who received at least one dose is 88.2%
- Percent of Delawareans who are fully vaccinated is 63.9%
To find a vaccine in Delaware, go to de.gov/getmyvaccine.
Here is where the Public Health Vaccine Mobile Units will be.
Monday, Dec. 27: Wilmington Housing Authority, 1802 N. West St., Wilmington, 10 a.m. to noon; Kennedy Apartments, 2800 N. Tatnall St., Wilmington, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.; Philadelphia Pentecostal Holiness Church, 13724 S. Old State Road, Ellendale, 10:00 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Tuesday, Dec. 28: DeLaWarr State Service Center, 500 Rogers Road, New Castle, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Smyrna State Service Center, 200 S. DuPont Blvd., Suite 100, Smyrna, 9 a.m. to noon.; Laurel State Service Center, 31039 North Poplar St., Laurel, 9 a.m. to noon.
Wednesday, Dec. 29: Claymont State Service Center, 3301 Green St., Claymont, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Thursday, Dec. 30: Appoquinimink State Service Center, 122 Silver Lake Road, Middletown, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Smyrna State Service Center, 200 S. DuPont Blvd., Smyrna, 9 a.m. to noon; Laurel State Service Center, 31039 North Poplar St., Laurel, 9 a.m. to noon.
Some dates may be rescheduled if there is inclement weather.
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