The number of coronavirus cases and deaths rose sharply on Friday.
One Sussex County death may have been the state’s first for an individual with no underlying health problems.
State officials had cautioned on Thursday that that numbers would rise, due to data collection issues.
Hospitalizations remain below 15 percent of the level of total cases, a figure that will put less pressure on the state’s hospital system.
State officials are expressing concern over increase coronavirus cases in Sussex County. The state’s southernmost county now accounts for 811 of the state’s 2075 cases.
State officials confirmed that the state’s poultry plants are being monitored, even though confirmed cases have been few in number. A nursing home in Milford has also reported an outbreak.
Poultry processors have loosened attendance policies as a way to encourage sick workers to stay home. State Emergency Management Director A.J. Schall said first responders in Sussex County have reported transporting seriously ill patients suspected of having COVID-19 who did not seek treatment earlier.
Poultry processor, Allen Harim told some growers to “depopulate” their chicken houses, due to lower production brought on by increased absenteeism.
Another area of focus has been the New Castle and Wilmington areas, which have a large concentration of cases.
Sixty-one Delawareans died of complications from COVID-19. Individuals who have died from COVID-19 ranged in age from 33 to 98 years.
The most recent deaths all involve individuals with underlying health conditions, except for one individual. The Sussex resident may be the first Delawarean with no underlying health conditions to succumb to the disease.
- 73-year-old man from New Castle County, hospitalized
- 74-year-old man from New Castle County, long-term care facility
- 83-year-old man from New Castle County, long-term care facility
- 85-year-old man from New Castle County, hospitalized long-term care resident
- 90-year-old man from New Castle County, long-term care facility
- 46-year-old man from Sussex County, no known underlying health conditions
- 80-year-old male from Sussex County, long-term care facility
- 98-year-old woman from Sussex County, long-term care facility
- 91-year-old woman from Sussex County, long-term care facility
The latest Delaware COVID-19 case statistics:
- New Castle County cases: 1,100
- Kent County cases: 384
- Sussex County cases: 811
- Unknown County: 28
- Males: 1,053; Females: 1,267; Unknown: 3
- Age range: 0 to 98
- Currently hospitalized: 224; Critically ill: 64 (This data represents individuals currently hospitalized in a Delaware hospital regardless of residence, and is not cumulative.)
- Delawareans recovered: 423
As of today, there have been 114 positive COVID-19 cases involving long-term care facilities in Delaware. Thirty-four residents of Delaware long-term care facilities have died from complications related to COVID-19.
The locations and number of deaths related to long-term care facilities are:
- Little Sisters of the Poor, Newark (11)
- Milford Center, Genesis Healthcare (11)
- Brandywine Nursing and Rehabilitation Center (4)
- Atlantic Shores Rehabilitation and Health Center (2)
- Governor Bacon Health Center (1)
- Four New Castle County long-term care facilities (1 death each)
- A Sussex County long-term care facility (1 death)
