Delaware COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, death continue to rise

Coronavirus cases remain elevated in Delaware going into the new year.

Delaware’s average number of new cases of COVID-19 is 638 for the last week, down from highs over 800, but still qualifying for widespread infection.

State health officials still worry about a rise in the number of cases and hospitalizations after Christmas and New Year’s weekends and urge people to continue to stay home and follow strict COVID-19 protocols when they must go out.

As of Wednesday afternoon, 57,456 people in Delaware had tested positive, according to the Delaware Division of Public Health.

The seven-day average for the percentage of persons who tested positive was 23.9%, up from 22.5% the week before. The seven-day average for the percentage of total tests that were positive was 9.1%, a decrease from 9.8% the week before.

As of Friday, there were 412 people  hospitalized, with 58 of them in critical condition. That’s down 14 from the week before.

A total of 926 Delawareans have died, 38 in the last week, including two as a result of a review of Vital Statistics records.

Here’s where to be tested the week of Jan. 3.

Vaccine

The state said Thursday night that 11,274 doses of COVID-19 vaccine had been administered.

Those numbers generally have a two-day delay, so more likely has been given.

People who have questions about when and where they can get a vaccine can call the state’s Vaccine Center at 1-833-643-1715.

Betsy Price

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