Test results from the state’s corrections system were behind what at first glance looked like a surge in coronavirus cases, the Delaware Division of Public health noted in its weekly report.
The cases stemmed from an earlier outbreak in the Sussex Correctional Institution. The outbreak was contained but did come with word of two deaths from people with pre-existing conditions.
The Sunday Covid-19 summary reported 61 new positive cases bringing the total to 16,451.
Over the last week, the number of new COVID-19 cases remained below 100 per day for the first time since late-June.
The 14-day average for the percentage of persons who tested positive for COVID-19 rose to 4.4 percent from 4.2 on Friday.
A total of 593 Delawareans have passed away due to complications from COVID-19. The state reported five additional deaths since last week’s update. None were residents of long-term care facilities.
DPH noted that while the total cumulative number of positive cases increased by 373 between Wednesday and Thursday night, 291 positive cases largely represent test results reported by the Department of Correction that were recently processed into the Division of Public Health’s system. Additionally, 88 DOC-related positive cases were added the day before.
The Department of Correction’s healthcare provider has been reporting positive cases to the Division of Public Health throughout the pandemic through a fax system.
In July, as the DOC administered more than 1,000 inmate Covid-19 tests (for 975 inmates at Sussex Correctional Institution and 80 inmates at Morris Community Corrections Center), DPH requested that DOC begin submitting all test results electronically.
Following recent training for DOC and its provider, the first electronic report containing nearly 300 test results from July, and including approximately 100 positive test results, was submitted and processed into the DPH surveillance system last week
DOC submitted its remaining reports, containing more than 1,000 test results (both positive and negative), late last week, and DPH staff have been working this week to process those results into the system. As a result of inputting these results, a larger-than-typical increase showed up.
Additional demographic data on COVID-19 cases and deaths, including race/ethnicity, more age-specific data and rates information by ZIP code, and information on Delaware’s contact tracing efforts can be found on the Division of Public Health’s My Healthy Community data portal at de.gov/healthycommunity.
The state’s dashboard is also available at the bottom of this post with information for counties and zip codes.
Long-term care statistics:
Information related to positive cases and deaths among residents at long-term care facilities will be updated weekly each Friday, using information reported as of 6 p.m. Thursday.
A total of 1,234 positive COVID-19 cases involving long-term care residents. Have been reported. A total of 362 residents of Delaware long-term care facilities have died from complications related to COVID-19. No new deaths for long-term care residents have been reported in the last week.
The locations and number of deaths involving residents of long-term care facilities are:
• Atlantic Shores Rehabilitation and Health Center, Millsboro (17)
- Brackenville Center, Genesis Healthcare, Hockessin (17)
• Brandywine Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Wilmington (34)
• Brandywine Living at Seaside Pointe, Rehoboth Beach (2)
• Cadia Healthcare Broadmeadow, Middletown (10)
• Cadia Healthcare Capitol, Dover (12)
• Cadia Healthcare Renaissance, Millsboro (7)
• Cadia Healthcare North Wilmington/Silverside, Wilmington (4)
• Delaware Hospital for the Chronically Ill, Smyrna (11)
• Governor Bacon Health Center, Delaware City (1)
• HarborChase of Wilmington, Wilmington (4)
• Harbor Healthcare and Rehabilitation, Lewes (20)
• Harrison House Senior Living, Georgetown (40)
• Hillside Center, Wilmington (3)
• Little Sisters of the Poor, Newark (11)
• ManorCare Health Services, Wilmington (13)
• ManorCare Health Services, Pike Creek (20)
• Methodist Country House, Wilmington (4)
• Millcroft, Newark (2)
• Milford Center, Genesis Healthcare, Milford (35)
• New Castle Health and Rehabilitation Center, New Castle (11)
• Newark Manor Nursing Home, Newark (11)
• Parkview Nursing and Rehabilitation, Wilmington (26)
• Pinnacle Rehabilitation and Health Center, Smyrna (24)
• Regal Heights Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center, Hockessin (5)
• Summit Assisted Living, Hockessin (3)
• Sunrise Assisted Living, Wilmington (2)
• Westminster Village, Dover (7)
• Six other New Castle County long-term care facilities (1 death at each facility)
Information about testing events, including community testing sites and free-standing sites operated by the health care systems and hospitals, will be listed on the testing section of the Delaware coronavirus website at: coronavirus.delaware.gov/testing/.
