Delaware recorded 312 new coronavirus cases in its Monday report on top of the 320 new cases a day earlier. The figures reflect data collected on Sunday night.
The combined two-day figure amounts to nearly a week’s worth of cases earlier in the summer.
One new death was reported, an individual from New Castle County in their 90s who had underlying health conditions and was also a resident of a long-term care facility.
The high number of cases boosted the seven-day rolling percentage of positive cases to 11.5 percent, up eight-tenths of a percent from the previous day. The rolling average figure of positive cases to total tests also soared to 4.3 percent, up four-tenths of one percent.
The total test metric takes into account people who undergo multiple tests.
The figure is the highest recorded since mid-May and comes after the number of people testing for the virus stayed around 100 during much of the summer.
The figures rose as a spokesman for Gov. John Carney said restrictions are not out of the questions.
“We’re starting to see in Delaware what we’ve seen across the country as it gets colder – rising COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations statewide. The governor will consider new restrictions if that becomes necessary to reduce the spread, based on advice from the public health experts,” said Jonathan Starkey, spokesman for Gov. John Carney. “We know what works. Wear a mask. Socially distance. Avoid gatherings. Wash your hands frequently. The governor will also keep delivering that message.”
Earlier, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy warned that restrictions are likely after the Garden State saw a surge in cases. On Monday Murphy was expected to order 10 p.m. closings for restaurants.
Earlier, Carney lifted bar seating restrictions in Coastal Delaware zip codes. Beach areas are much quieter this time of year, with a number of large bars closed for the season.
Delaware has stepped up testing as schools continue to reopen and employers bring back to staff to offices.
While more testing contributes to a higher number of positives, it also indicates a widened community spread. Even before the test surge, Delaware has long been in the upper ranks of states in tests per 100,000 population.
For more data, including breakdowns by age, sex, race/ethnicity, at the statewide, county, and, in some cases, ZIP code or census tract level: https://myhealthycommunity.dhss.delaware.gov/locations/state
