The Delaware Division of Public Health announced 35 individuals are being monitored for coronavirus (COVID-19). The division also offered more details on testing practices.
A total of 44 individuals have been tested for COVID-19, including the four individuals who tested positive for the disease. A total of 30 tests returned negative results, and 10 persons under investigation are awaiting test results.
Testing for coronavirus disease is not recommended for individuals who do not have any symptoms of illness. For individuals who have symptoms of illness (fever, cough, or shortness of breath), their primary care provider can collect specimens and send them to either the Delaware Public Health Lab or LabCorp for testing. Medical providers should evaluate patients and rule out other causes of illness first before recommending testing for COVID-19.
While testing for the disease at the Public Health Lab requires Division of Public Health approval, providers do not need DPH approval to submit test samples to LabCorp.
With the addition of commercial lab testing now available, Delaware has enough capacity to accommodate its current testing needs, a release stated.
Providers can use flu kits to collect a nasal swab and include an additional oral swab for testing. Commercial labs are required to report testing and results to DPH.
Those at elevated risk for developing the disease is based on exposure due to travel to a country with a Level 2 Travel Alert or higher in the last 14 days; contact with someone who has a confirmed case of COVID-19; or older individuals (ages 65 and older) and those with chronic underlying health conditions.
Delawareans with questions about COVID-19 or their exposure risk can call the Division of Public Health’s Coronavirus Call Center at 1-866-408-1899 or TTY at 1-800-232-5460 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, or email DPHCall@delaware.gov. For the latest on Delaware’s response, go to de.gov/coronavirus.
For more information, visit de.gov/coronavirus.
