New COVID cases numbers flatten, deaths decrease as vaccine sprint continues

Even with declining cases and rising vaccinations, the state wants people to be tested.

Delaware’s number of new COVID-19 cases flattened out in recent weeks and the number of deaths has decreased, but the number of hospitalizations rose, the state said Friday.

Gov. John Carney also announced Friday he has extended his emergency order another month, and that the state will reopen a rental assistance program for those whose income has been hurt by the pandemic.

The numbers

The First State has 91,635 positive cases of COVID, and the seven-day increased slightly to 205.1 cases per day.

The seven-day average for the percentage of persons who tested positive and the percentage of positive total test both rose a bit. The people who tested positive rose to 17.8%, up from last week’s 15.9% .  The percentage of total tests was 3.9%, up from 3.8%.

The Delaware Division of Public Health said 110 individuals are hospitalized due to COVID-19, up 27, with nine critically ill.

1,522 Delawareans have died from COVID-19, with 26 deaths reported in the last week.

The state has 15 cases of the British strain of COVID-19 and one of the South African variant in Delaware. The cases include 15 adults and a child under the age of 10. Twelve were from New Castle County and four from Kent County.

Vaccinations

As of Thursday morning, 356,829 administered doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been administered.

A total of 373,960 doses have been delivered to the state, and 75,205 doses have been delivered as part of the federal provider programs.

The state this week opened vaccinations up to those aged 50 and old, and to those 16-64 with underlying health conditions.

Also

• The State will offer $200 million to help people who can’t pay their rent because of COVID-19. The new program allows 12 months of financial assistance, with the possibility of extending it for three months. Landlords and tenants can apply for assistance beginning Monday, March 22, 2021 using DSHA’s application portal.  To qualify for DEHAP, households must be at or below 80% of the Area Median Income as well as meet several other criteria. Income eligibility per county and other program requirements can be found at www.decovidhousinghelp.com or by calling 866-935-0407. The website provides step-by-step tutorial videos and Frequently Asked Questions for landlords and tenants. They will need to work together to make sure proper documentation is provided.
• Carney on Friday formally extended the State of Emergency declaration another 30 days.

Test sites week of March 23

New Castle

• Tuesday, March 23 from 2 p.m. – 6 p.m.: Wilmington University Rt. 13 (320 N. Dupont Highway, New Castle) Register: delaware.curativeinc.com
• Tuesday, March 23 from 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.: University of Delaware Hollingsworth Lot (61 N. College Ave., Newark) Register: delaware.curativeinc.com
• Wednesday, March 24 from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. and 5 p.m. – 7 p.m.: Henrietta Johnson Medical Center (601 New Castle Ave., Wilmington)  Register by calling 302-655-6187
• Wednesday, March 24 from 12 p.m. – 4 p.m.: ChristianaCare Hospital, Portal 1 Parking Lot (4755 Ogletown Stanton Road, Newark) Register: delaware.curativeinc.com
• Wednesday, March 24 from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.: Louis L. Redding Middle School (201 New St., Middletown) Register: delaware.curativeinc.com
• Thursday, March 25 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.: Scott African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church (629 E. 7^th St., Wilmington) Register: delaware.curativeinc.com
• Thursday, March 25 from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.: Wilmington University Athletic Complex (1365 Pulaski Highway, Newark) Register: delaware.curativeinc.com
• Thursday, March 25 from 1 p.m. – 7 p.m.: Henrietta Johnson Medical Center (601 New Castle Ave., Wilmington)  Register by calling 302-655-6187
• Friday, March 26 from 2 p.m. – 6 p.m.: Thomas Edison Charter School (Indoor walk up – 2200 Locust St., Wilmington) Register: delaware.curativeinc.com
• Friday, March 26 from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.: Delaware Park (777 Delaware Park Blvd., Wilmington) Register: delaware.curativeinc.com
• Saturday, March 27 from 10 p.m. – 4 p.m.: City of Love Church at Brandywine (2200 N. Market St., Wilmington) Register: delaware.curativeinc.com
• Saturday, March 27 from 10 p.m. – 2 p.m.: Westside Healthcare (Indoor walk up -1802 W. 4^th St, Wilmington) Register: delaware.curativeinc.com
• Saturday, March 27 from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.: University of Delaware STAR Campus (540 S. College Ave., Newark) Register: delaware.curativeinc.com
• Saturday, March 27 from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.: Henrietta Johnson Medical Center (601 New Castle Ave., Wilmington)  Register by calling 302-655-6187

Kent County

• Monday, March 22 from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.: Harrington Fire Department (20 Clark St., Harrington) Register: delaware.curativeinc.com
• Tuesday, March 23 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.: Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church (205 N.W. 4^th Street, Milford) Register: delaware.curativeinc.com
• Wednesday, March 24 from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.: Caesar Rodney High School (239 Old North Road, Camden) Register: delaware.curativeinc.com
• Friday, March 26 from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.: Clayton Fire Co. (300 East St, Clayton) Register: delaware.curativeinc.com
• Saturday, March 27 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.: Emmanuel African Methodist Church (1755 Lockwood Chapel Road, Hartly) Register: delaware.curativeinc.com

Sussex County

• Monday, March 22 from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.: Epworth UM Church (19285 Holland Glade Road, Rehoboth Beach) Register: delaware.curativeinc.com
• Tuesday, March 23 from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.: Delaware Tech – Owens Campus (21179 College Dr., Georgetown) Register: delaware.curativeinc.com
• Wednesday, March 24 from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Laurel Elementary School (815 South, N. Central Ave, Laurel) Register: delaware.curativeinc.com
• Wednesday, March 24 from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Indian River High School (29772 Armory Road, Dagsboro) Register: delaware.curativeinc.com
• Thursday, March 25 from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.: Mt. Calvary African Methodist Episcopal Church (25206 Mt. Calvary Way, Seaford) Register: delaware.curativeinc.com
• Thursday, March 25 from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.: Mt. Zion African Methodist Episcopal Church (18211 Beach Highway, Ellendale) Register: delaware.curativeinc.com
• Friday, March 26 from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.: Blades Fire Co. (200 E. 5^th Street, Blades) Register: delaware.curativeinc.com
• Friday, March 26 from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.: Ellendale Fire Department (302 Main St. Ellendale) Register: delaware.curativeinc.com
• Saturday, March 27 from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.: Woodbridge Early Childhood Education Center (400 Governors Ave., Greenwood) Register: delaware.curativeinc.com
• Saturday, March 27 from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.: Selbyville Fire Company (30 N. Main St., Selbyville) Register: delaware.curativeinc.com

Betsy Price

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