Coronavirus death toll rises by nine to 168 as state steps up testing

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Thursday 6.m. figures

The number of deaths from coronavirus rose by nine as the state waits for results from its testing program.

The number of people testing positive for the virus by more than 100 a day. However, state health officials caution that results come in batches since outside labs are being used to supplement more limited in-state capabilities.

The closely watched figure of hospitalizations rose to 300, the first increase in recent days. 

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At a press briefing on Friday, Gov. John Carney said the state has roughly double the capacity it needs to handle any surge in serious COViD-19  cases. 

The number of people tested in Delaware rose past the 23,000 mark. The figure does not reflect the number of tests, since many people are tested more than once. 

The Centers for Disease Control reported that Delaware ranks in the top 15 states in the rate of testing. 

Based on state figures, about 2.3 percent of Delaware’s population has been tested.

Stepped up testing is now seen as key to identifying and controlling outbreaks of COVID-19  as well as allowing the process of reopening the state to move forward.  

Individuals who have died from COVID-19 ranged in age from 26 to 103 years old.

Of those who have died, 90 were females and 78 were males. A total of 76 individuals were from New Castle County, 29 were from Kent County, and 63 were from Sussex County.   

The most recent deaths announced today ranged in age from 26 to 98. Seven were female and two were male. Six were New Castle County residents, two were Kent County residents, and one was a Sussex County resident. All nine individuals had underlying health conditions. Eight individuals were residents of long-term care facilities.

Other information:

  • New Castle County cases: 1,864
  • Kent County cases: 793
  • Sussex County cases: 2,359
  • Unknown County: 22
  • Females: 2,709; Males: 2,308; Unknown: 21
  • Age range: 0 to 103 
  • Currently hospitalized: 300; Critically ill: 64 (This data represents individuals currently hospitalized in a Delaware hospital regardless of residence, and is not cumulative.) 
  • Delawareans recovered: 1,546

Data are provisional and 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. 

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