Face Covering Required Effective 4/28/2020

Governor John Carney on Saturday issued the thirteenth modification to his State of Emergency declaration, requiring Delawareans to wear face coverings in public settings, including in grocery stores, convenience stores, pharmacies, doctor’s offices, and on public transportation.

Governor Carney’s order does not require children aged 12 or younger to wear a face covering. Any child 2-years-old or younger MUST NOT wear a face covering, due to the risk of suffocation.

“Now is not the time for Delawareans to get complacent,” said Governor Carney. “We face a very serious situation, with additional cases of COVID-19 and hospitalizations statewide. All of our actions are guided by science, and intended to save lives. Wearing a face covering in public settings is important to prevent transmission of this disease. But wearing a face covering is not permission to go out in public more often. Delawareans should stay home unless it’s absolutely necessary to go out for essential work or essential items. Don’t go out in public unnecessarily. You will only increase your risk – and the risk to your family, friends, and neighbors.”

Under Governor Carney’s modified order, businesses must also take certain steps to keep their employees and customers safe.

By 8:00 a.m. on Friday, May 1, businesses must:

Require employees to wear a face covering while working in areas open to the public and in areas where coming within 6 feet of other staff is likely.
Provide, at the business’ expense, face coverings and hand sanitizer for their employees.
Deny entry to individuals who do not have a face covering – or if one is not available for them.
If any business denying entry is providing medication, medical supplies, or food, the business must provide alternate methods of pickup or delivery.
Delawareans are urged to use cloth face coverings and reserve medical-grade masks for use by health care workers and first responders. Medical-grade masks include N95, KN95, surgical, or other masks that would be appropriate for a health care setting.
Delawareans wearing a face covering should practice strict hand-washing before and after touching the face covering, according to the Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH). Face coverings are not a replacement for washing hands, practicing physical distancing, and staying home. Delawareans who are sick should wear a face covering over their nose and mouth if they must be around other people – even while at home.

“Wearing a face covering is not a substitute for existing guidance around hand-washing and social distancing,” said Dr. Karyl Rattay, Director of the Delaware Division of Public Health. “Delawareans should stay at home whenever possible, only leaving for essential activities. Wash your hands. Keep 6-10 feet between yourself and others.”

Governor Carney’s State of Emergency has the full force and effect of law. The stay-at-home order, and mandatory quarantine for out-of-state travelers, remain in place. Violations of the emergency order, or any of its modifications, constitute a criminal offense.

Delawareans with questions about COVID-19, related to medical or social service needs, should call 2-1-1; or 7-1-1 for individuals who are deaf or hard-of-hearing. Hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday; and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the weekends. Questions may also be submitted by email at DPHCall@delaware.gov.

DPH will continue to update the public as more information becomes available. For the latest on Delaware’s response, visit: de.gov/coronavirus.

COVID-Related Public Engagement Sessions Announced

Governor John Carney on Thursday announced a statewide public engagement strategy focused on Delaware’s economic reopening and recovery effort due to COVID-19. 

Visit https://governor.delaware.gov/delawares-recovery/ to learn more, including the dates for public engagement sessions.

 

Census

Please Complete your 2020 Census Today!

The responses from this year’s decennial Census will impact numerous critical services to the citizens of Delaware. These services include healthcare, roads, infrastructure projects, emergency services, and other matters important to our everyday lives. In order to be prepared for future healthcare crises such as COVID-19, these funds are more important than ever for our State and your community.    

The health and safety of all Delawareans is of primary importance. The Complete Count Commission is following the Governor’s mandates and doing all that we can to ensure that the Census counts residents in each corner of the state to secure the $3 billion in Census derived funding that will be available to Delaware.

We are in the midst of a pandemic that is changing the way we approach common, daily routines – but we are also learning the further importance and impact of the Census.

RESPOND SAFELY ONLINE AND BY PHONE 

Census 2020 invitations were sent to homes by the U.S. Census Bureau between Mar. 12-20 with instructions on how to participate. You may be thinking that responding to the Census means someone coming to your home. That’s not the case. In fact, the only reason for that to occur is if you don’t respond. It has never been easier to respond on your own, whether online, over the phone or by mail—all without having to meet a census taker. This new technology comes just in time for our current circumstances of self-distancing. Please take advantage of this technology and complete your Census as soon as you receive the invitation, either online at My2020census.gov or by phone a 1-844-330-2020. 

Both the online and phone questionnaire come in English and 12 additional languages. Residents can also respond via a paper questionnaire that can be mailed with a prepaid postage envelope. The deadline for responding on your own through these easy methods is October 31st. We urge you to complete the Census before that date. More information about the Census forms and deadline can be found at 2020census.gov

Essential Trips and COVID-19

If you must take an essential trip out in the community, the Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) suggests following these guidelines:

• Only go out if you have to.  The best defense against COVID-19 is to prevent exposure.  Staying in is the only sure way to do that.
• If you must go out, you should act as if you and those around you are positive.  Take these precautions:
  • Maintain 6 fee of space from others.
  • Wear a mask or face covering and try not to touch it.
  • Wash and sanitize your hands frequently.
• Assume that places you go have positive cases and take appropriate precautions:
  • In order to protect privacy, DPH does not announce details about individual cases, or where they occur.  As such, you should be vigilant in your protection and precaution measures during this time.
  • Some businesses may have positive cases but have taken strong steps to sanitize and prevent the spread of infection.  Others may not know they have had a positive employee or customer.  It is impossible to know the difference.

Governor Carney Partners with Health Providers and Sussex Employers on Community Testing Sites, Outreach, Education

Governor John Carney on Wednesday announced a partnership with the Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH), the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS), the Delaware Emergency Management Agency, the Delaware Department of Agriculture, local hospital systems, poultry industry employers, Federally Qualified Health Centers, and trusted community partners to stand up community testing sites in Sussex County, and increase outreach and distribution of educational materials about COVID-19 in southern Delaware.

“We’ve seen a significant surge in COVID-19 cases in communities across Sussex County,” said Governor John Carney. “This new testing program is designed to save lives. Over the next week, we will be partnering with local hospitals, the Delaware Division of Public Health, the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services, the Delaware Emergency Management Agency, and the Delaware Department of Agriculture, and others to offer free, rapid coronavirus testing at community testing sites in Sussex County. As the largest employers in Sussex County, we are partnering with the poultry industry to ensure that workers and their families get all of the information they need to be safe and healthy.”

The community testing plan is a three-pronged effort. It includes testing through the use of rapid test kits and ensuring access to care; guidance on isolation and assistance when it is not possible to isolate safely, and education and outreach through the assistance of trusted community partners. Individuals will receive “care kits” with essential materials including sanitizer, bandanas, thermometers, and educational materials. Educational materials are being translated into Spanish and Haitian Creole to reach those who do not read English as their first language. These tests are not mandatory.

“We are grateful for the partnership of everyone involved in bringing this massive effort together,” said DPH Director Dr. Karyl Rattay. “In addition to testing sites at poultry plants, there will also be community testing sites, which we expect will reach workers in other industries and their families. We believe this community-based testing strategy will be critical in identifying the extent of the spread of COVID-19 and of mitigating it, by providing guidance and support for those with positive test results and educational materials for everyone tested.”

“The efforts of all these partners to stop the spread of COVID-19 in our rural communities here in Sussex County is a testament to working towards a common goal to re-open our state. From the farmers to the workers in the plants to employees in agribusinesses, our workforce is the backbone that makes agriculture so successful in Delaware,” said Secretary of Agriculture Michael T. Scuse. “We want to ensure that every employee gets the care they need, and to make sure if a staff member does have COVID-19 that we can stop it from spreading to others. We appreciate the efforts that the poultry companies are taking to protect their employees, including implementing physical barriers and social distancing protocols, daily health screenings, and now on-site testing.”

Partners in the community testing efforts include: 

• Bayhealth
• Beebe Healthcare
• ChristianaCare Health System
• Nanticoke Health Services
• Allen Harim 
• Mountaire Farms
• Perdue Farms 
• Local Community Partners and Organizations
• Municipal and County Government 
• Delaware Technical Community College Georgetown
• Community Health Centers and Providers

Governor Carney, DPH Director Dr. Karyl Rattay, and DEMA Director A.J. Schall will discuss the community testing and outreach partnership during their 1:45 p.m. press briefing on Friday.

Delawareans with questions about COVID-19, related to medical or social service needs, should call 2-1-1; or 7-1-1 for individuals who are deaf or hard-of-hearing. Hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday; and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the weekends. Questions may also be submitted by email at DPHCall@delaware.gov.

DPH will continue to update the public as more information becomes available. For the latest on Delaware’s response, visit: de.gov/coronavirus.      

Wires Down Route 1

Verizon lines and poles near Indian Street have fallen onto Route 1.  The Fire Department and Police are on the seen, and traffic has been diverted on both the north and south bound of Route 1.  Please be cautious in this area.  The repair is expected to take the remainder of today.

As of now, there are no interruptions in phone service for any customers.

Thunderstorm Expected: 4/21/2020

A cold front will cross the region this afternoon from west to east bringing a line of showers and thunderstorms. There is a marginal risk that some of these storms could be severe with damaging winds being the main threat. The timing for these storms is expected mid to late afternoon.

Safe Shopping Tips for Customers

The Delaware Food Industry Council has provided the best practical guidelines to keep shoppers and grocery store workers safe during the COVID-19 crisis.  Please use these helpful safe shopping tips that include several new government mandates.

1. Limit going to the grocery store only when it is essential and focus on buying what you need.  Coronavirus has upended our daily lives and the usual grocery store trips are a luxury.  As experts advise the general public to stay home, it is important that customers limit their trips to the store as much as possible.  When you do shop, buy what you need most.  There is no need to stockpile items.  Buying enough for one weeks is advisable.  If everybody maintains normal shopping patterns, the food supply will replenish.
2. Shoppers should wear cloth face coverings.  All customers are encouraged to wear cloth face coverings.  Please note that these coverings can be made from everyday household items such as a scarf, bandana, or t-shirt.  Reserve the N95 masks for front line workers.
3. Reduce store crowding by shopping alone.  Some of us really enjoy going to the grocery store with our spouse or families, but to keep everyone safe, shop alone if you can.  By reducing capacity, it is easier to maintain less crowded aisles and safe social distancing between customers.
4. Practice safe social distancing throughout the store even at checkout.  Six feet is the safe distance to help prevent the spread of coronavirus.  An average grocery cart is three feet long, so always keep two grocery carts apart between you and others.  Although checkout signifies the end of your trip, it is still important that you maintain six feet or two shopping carts of space between you and someone else.  To protect everyone’s well-being, please wait until a customer finishes loading their groceries and exits the line.
5. Avoid handling any items in the store, unless it’s for purchase.  Use your eyes to inspect, not your hands.  Habits are hard to break but avoiding the handling of products at the store helps prevent the spread of the virus.  Do your part and try not to pick up items unless you plan to buy them.  This also applies to produce items.  We recommend using a produce bag to make your selection.  Let your eyes do the shopping.
6. When using personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves, wipes, or disposable face coverings, please discard responsibly.  Since customers are encouraged to wear facial coverings and are using PPE for added safety, it is important to dispose of gloves, masks and wipes properly.  Please do not leave these soiled items in your cart or in the parking lot.  Mishandling these items can create more safety concerns for employees and other customers.  Trash cans are placed conveniently outside the store for your disposal.  Moreover, refrain from disposing flushable wipes in the store restrooms.
7. Keep your reusable grocery bags at home until this health crisis is over or thoroughly disinfect after each use.  For the safety of both customers and employees, do not use reusable bags unless you know how to thoroughly disinfect them.  Studies have shown that the virus can live on certain surfaces for an extended period.  Using bags that are kept in an individual’s home or car for repeat use could increase the risk of infection.  You might be asked to bag your own groceries depending on the store’s temporary policies with reusable bags.
8. Check your local store’s special hours or new procedures.  To ensure the safest shopping experience, grocers are adapting special hours and accommodations.  Check their websites, social media pages, or call ahead to confirm.
9. Be patient and allot more time to shop.  New mandates have created crowd control policies that potentially slow down a normal shopping experience.  Be cognizant of this and be prepared with extra time in case it is needed to shop.
10. Treat employees with respect and kindness.  Grocery, pharmacy and convenience store employees are critical during this crisis.  They are working on the front line to ensure everyone always has access to food and supplies.  Be understanding of the extra work being provided to make sure a store is sanitized and ready to feed your families.

These simple tips will help provide for a more pleasant shopping experience!  For more information, please contact the Delaware Food Industry Council at 302-545-8305.

Governor Carney Announces Multi-State Council to Get People Back to Work & Restore the Economy

Recognizing that their states have one integrated regional economy, Delaware Governor John Carney, New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont, Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf, and Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo today announced the creation of a multi-state council to restore the economy and get people back to work. This announcement builds on the states’ ongoing regional approach to combatting the COVID-19 pandemic.

The coordinating group – comprised of one health expert, one economic development expert and the respective Chief of Staff from each state — will work together to develop a fully integrated regional framework to gradually lift the states’ stay at home orders while minimizing the risk of increased spread of the virus.

Delaware’s representatives will include:

• Sheila Grant, Chief of Staff, Office of Governor John Carney
• Dr. Kara Odom Walker, Secretary, Delaware Department of Health and Social Services
• Kurt Foreman, President and CEO, Delaware Prosperity Partnership

The council will create this framework using every tool available to accomplish the goal of easing social isolation without triggering renewed spread – including testing, contact tracing, treatment and social distancing – and will rely on the best available scientific, statistical, social and economic information to manage and evaluate those tools.

“We still have a situation in Delaware that is getting worse. Infections of COVID-19 and hospitalizations are rising. Delawareans should stay home. Don’t go out in public unnecessarily. Don’t visit Delaware unless you need to see a doctor, or care for a family member. You’ll only increase everyone’s risk,” said Governor John Carney. “At the same time, we need to look forward. We need a consistent approach for moving our states out of this crisis, when that day comes. I’m grateful for the partnership of my fellow Governors in the region. They are all working around-the-clock to prevent surges in COVID-19 cases, protect hospital capacity for the most critically-ill patients, and save lives. We’ll get through this by working together.”

Governor Andrew Cuomo said, “We have been collaborating closely with our neighboring states to combat this pandemic through a uniform approach to social distancing and density reduction and it has been working well. Now it is time to start opening the valve slowly and carefully while watching the infection rate meter so we don’t trigger a second wave of new infections. This is not a light switch that we can just flick on and everything goes back to normal – we have to come up with a smart, consistent strategy to restart the systems we shut down and get people back to work, and to the extent possible we want to do that through a regional approach because we are a regional economy. New York is partnering with these four states to create a multi-state council that will come up with a framework based on science and data to gradually ease the stay at home restrictions and get our economy back up and running.”

Governor Phil Murphy said, “No one has given more thought or is more eager to restart our economy than I am, but if we don’t get the sequencing right, we put more lives at risk. The only path to a sustainable economic recovery is through a strong healthcare recovery. Then, and only then, do we position ourselves to fully ignite our economy and get the residents of our state back to work while minimizing the danger of this disease. A coordinated, regional approach, informed by a multi-state council of experts, will help us avoid a major setback with potentially disastrous consequences. I look forward to the day when the facts on the ground allow us to ease our restrictions and move our regional economy forward.”

Governor Ned Lamont said, “One thing that’s undeniable is that this virus does not stop at the border of any county, state, or country, but the impact is the same when it comes to our respective economies and healthcare systems. Working as a regional coalition to make the right decisions will lead to the best public health results for all of our residents. We must solve these problems together.”

Governor Tom Wolf said, “Our highest priority remains protecting the health and safety of Pennsylvanians. While my administration continues to take critical steps to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, I also recognize that we must look ahead and take a measured, careful approach to prepare for the future while ensuring that we don’t undo all of our efforts. Pennsylvania will work collaboratively with our partners both in state and in surrounding states to develop a comprehensive strategy that first focuses on health but also addresses the need to gradually restore our economy.”

Governor Gina Raimondo said, “States are taking the lead as we fight to slow the spread of coronavirus and save lives. I’m proud of the steps we’ve taken, and I’m constantly thinking about what it will take to safely reopen our economy. But we know that this virus does not recognize borders, and it’s clear we need a strong, coordinated regional approach to avoid a second wave of this disease. I’m grateful to my fellow governors for their leadership during this crisis and I’m confident that this new partnership will support our efforts to get Rhode Islanders — and all Americans — back to work safely.”

Delawareans with questions about COVID-19, related to medical or social service needs, should call 2-1-1; or 7-1-1 for individuals who are deaf or hard-of-hearing. Hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday; and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the weekends. Questions may also be submitted by email at DPHCall@delaware.gov.  

DPH will continue to update the public as more information becomes available. For the latest on Delaware’s response, visit: de.gov/coronavirus.

Public Health Announces 146 More Positive Cases; 2 New Deaths

The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) is announcing two additional fatalities related to  coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and is providing an update on the number of positive cases and recovered individuals.

DPH is now reporting deaths of laboratory-confirmed individuals and deaths involving “probable” cases where the individual had clinically consistent symptoms and was exposed to a confirmed case, but was never tested before their death. This new guidance comes from the Centers for the Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

In total, 35 Delawareans have passed away due to complications from COVID-19. The most recent deaths involve a 33-year-old female resident of a long-term care facility in Sussex County who had underlying health conditions and an 88-year-old female resident of a long-term care facility in Sussex County who had underlying health conditions. Individuals who have died from COVID-19 ranged in age from 33 to 96 years old.

To protect personal health information, DPH will not confirm specific information about any individual case, even if other persons or entities disclose it independently.

The latest Delaware COVID-19 case statistics, cumulatively since March 11, include:

• 1,625 total laboratory-confirmed cases
• New Castle County cases: 880
• Kent County cases: 281
• Sussex County cases: 464
• Males: 725; Females: 900
• Age range: 1 to 97
• Currently hospitalized: 201; Critically ill: 51 (This data represents individuals currently hospitalized in a Delaware hospital regardless of residence, and is not cumulative.)
• Delawareans recovered: 213
• 10,195 negative cases*

*Data on negative cases are preliminary, based on negative results reported to DPH by state and commercial laboratories performing analysis.   

DPH epidemiologists are transitioning to a new data reporting system. During the transition period, not all fields (county of residence, sex) have complete information.

The Department of Health and Social Services’ Division of Public Health and Division of Health Care Quality also released revisions today to the Friday, April 10, announcement of positive cases and deaths in Delaware care facilities, including long-term care facilities. The revisions are:

• HarborChase of Wilmington has one resident death; it was listed as having two.
• New Castle Health and Rehab in New Castle was listed as having three resident deaths; it does not have any deaths among residents.
• Shipley Manor in Wilmington was listed as having multiple positive cases; it does not have any positive resident cases.

No facilities have reported staff deaths related to COVID-19.

Delaware is considering patients fully recovered seven days after the resolution of their symptoms. Three days after symptoms resolve, patients are no longer required to self-isolate at home; however, they must continue to practice strict social distancing for the remaining four days before returning to their normal daily routine.

Widespread community transmission is occurring throughout the state, which means COVID-19 is actively circulating in the community. If you are sick with any of the following symptoms, stay home: fever, cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, muscle fatigue, or digestive symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain or lack of appetite. If you are sick and need essential supplies, ask someone else to go to the grocery store or the pharmacy to get what you need.

If you think you have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, or have symptoms of illness, make sure to distance yourself from others, particularly vulnerable populations. Older adults and people of any age with serious underlying medical conditions – including serious heart conditions, chronic lung conditions, including moderate to severe asthma, severe obesity and those who are immunocompromised, including through cancer treatment – might be at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19.

Statewide testing at standing health facility testing sites require a physician’s order or prescription to be tested (*Bayhealth patients will be pre-screened via phone without needing to see a provider first). These are not walk-in testing sites. Those without a primary care provider can call the DPH Call Center Line at 1-866-408-1899. In New Castle County, individuals can call ChristianaCare at 1-302-733-1000 and Sussex County residents who do not have a provider can call the Beebe COVID-19 Screening Line at 302-645-3200. Individuals awaiting test results, should wait to hear back from their medical provider. The DPH Call Center does not have test results.

Anyone with a question about COVID-19, whether related to medical or social service needs, should call Delaware 2-1-1; or 7-1-1 for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing, or text your ZIP code to 898-211. Hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

In addition, the Division of Public Health asks any Delaware health care, long-term care, residential, or other high-risk facility with questions or concerns to email: DPH_PAC@delaware.gov or call the DPH Call Center at 1-866-408-1899 and press ext. 2.

Questions can also be submitted by email at DPHCall@delaware.gov.

DPH will continue to update the public as more information becomes available. For the latest on Delaware’s response, go to de.gov/coronavirus.