Corrected: Coronavirus deaths rise to 120 as number of people testing positive jumps by more than 450

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Sussex County cases now lead New Castle figure by 200

The number of coronavirus deaths rose by eight as of Saturday night, with an increase of more than 450  people testing positive. The report released today by the Delaware Division of Health indicated that the 120 deaths come as Delaware moved past the 19,000 mark in total tests, with more than 15,000 people testing negative.

Sussex County solidified its position as a coronavirus hotspot, with its cases now outnumbering those of more densely populated New Castle County by about 200.

Hospitalizations have also been on the increase, although the rate has been well below worst-case estimates. Delaware has continued to see test results come in spurts, due to the use of private labs with longer turnaround times.

Delaware has stepped up testing in poorer neighborhoods in the Wilmington-New Castle area as well as the Georgetown area, where concern is growing about a high rate of infections in the immigrant community.

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On Saturday, Gov. John Carney ordered the use of facemasks in public places later this week. It is not known if the sharp increase in positive cases played a role in the decision.

Other governors in the region  had ordered mandatory use of the masks earlier than Delaware.

In total,120 Delawareans have passed away due to complications from COVID-19. 

Individuals who have died from COVID-19 ranged in age from 32 to 103 years old. Of those who have died, 62 were females and 58 were males. A total of 55 individuals were from New Castle County, 22 were from Kent County, and 43 were from Sussex County. Seventy-four of the deaths involved residents from long-term care facilities.

The most recent deaths announced today ranged in age from 52 to 87. Three were females and five were males. Three were New Castle County residents, four were Kent County residents, and one was a Sussex County resident. All of the most recent deaths involved individuals with underlying health conditions. Four individuals were residents of long-term care facilities.

The latest Delaware COVID-19 case statistics cumulatively since March 11, provided as of 6 p.m., Saturday include: 

  • 4,034 total laboratory-confirmed cases 
  • New Castle County cases: 1,599
  • Kent County cases: 625
  • Sussex County cases: 1,801
  • Unknown County: 9
  • Males: 1,822; Females: 2,178;
  • Unknown: 34
  • Currently hospitalized: 317; Critically ill: 61 (This data represents individuals currently hospitalized in a Delaware hospital regardless of residence, and is not cumulative.) 

Data is subject to change.

Additional demographic data on COVID-19 cases and deaths, including race/ethnicity, more age-specific data and rates information by ZIP code, can be found on the Division of Public Health’s My Healthy Community data portal. The data on My Healthy Community will supplement, not replace, the daily case data displayed on de.gov/coronavirus.

Gov.  John Carney’s 13th  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, goes into effect at 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday April 28.

 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.

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