Spike in Covid-19 cases in past 2 days overshadows long period with no deaths from virus

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The results of a Covid-19  outbreak in Sussex County contributed to more than 280  additional positive cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) in Delaware over the weekend.
 
The state has typically seen 70 or fewer daily positive cases. The Sussex cases came after reports of an outbreak linked to senior week activities at the beach. In the spring, the inland areas of the county were hit by Covid-19 cases linked to  poultry industry workers.
 
While the outbreak is centered in Sussex,  numbers show  that New Castle County is seeing a higher number of positive tests.
 
Division of Health spokesperson Jen Brestel said cases are classified by county of residence and it is possible that some New Castle County cases are connected to the outbreak in Sussex. 
 
Another explanation could be stepped up testing in New Castle County, according to Brestel, who noted that no outbreak has been reported in the state’s northernmost area.

 

“We are concerned that the clusters of cases we are seeing related to the beach community could lead to further exposure and additional cases – both to individuals who live and work in those areas and those visiting from other areas,” Brestel said.

In recent days, the number of people testing positive has exceeded figures for the city of Philadelphia, which has more than  one and a half times the population of Delaware and also has higher population densities than the First State. Delaware ranks eighth in the percentage of   Covid-19 cases per 100,000 population, according to Statistica.

The news overshadowed the fourth straight day with no new deaths from the virus.  A total of 507 Delawareans have died due to complications from Covid-19. Individuals who have died from Covid-19 ranged in age from 21 to 104 years old. 
 
Nearly 11 percent of the state’s population has been tested for Covid-19, one  of the higher rates among the 50 states. By contrast,  states, like Arizona, Florida and Texas that have seen a surge in cases, have far lower testing rates than Delaware. 
 
State health officials on Sunday announced that 112 people in coastal Sussex tested positive for the virus.
 

As the Division of Public Health works to implement  Delaware’s new contact tracing program, DPH  is moving to a different data surveillance system. During this transition, DPH may not be able to provide updated data on the total number of recovered individuals. 

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.
 
Also available below is an interactive dashboard courtesy of the Delaware Division of Health.
 

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