With coronavirus cases on the increase, unvaccinated Delaware residents are now advised to get weekly tests.
The advisory, issued by Gov. John Carney, the Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH), and the Delaware Emergency Management Agency, strongly suggested that individuals 12 and over get vaccines.
The number of daily vaccinations has risen, but rates remain low among young adults.
The state stopped short of other steps on mask-wearing or other measures. As a result, the State of Emergency was allowed to expire earlier this summer.
After seeing a low number of cases earlier in the summer, daily cases have moved above 100. According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention figures, all three Delaware counties are now in “substantial,” the second-highest category when it comes to spreading the virus.
The Division of Public Health updated guidance for unvaccinated people with the following:
- Get tested once a week.
- Get tested five to seven days after being exposed to someone with Covid-19
- Isolate at home immediately if unvaccinated and develop symptoms of Covid-19, and quarantine at home immediately if exposed to someone with the virus.
The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that fully vaccinated persons get tested three to five days after being exposed to someone with Covid-19. Fully vaccinated individuals do not need to quarantine after exposure.
The CDC also recommends that anyone with any signs or symptoms of Covid-19 get tested, regardless of vaccination status or prior infection.
Covid-19 cases have been steadily climbing in Delaware during July. New cases of over 100 per day have been reported for the last five days.
“With Covid-19 cases climbing again daily, it is very important that you get tested weekly if you are not vaccinated in order to identify and stop the spread of COVID,” said DPH Director Dr. Karyl Rattay. “This will also help us identify infection among people with no symptoms and allow them to take steps to ensure they are not unknowingly spreading the disease to people who may be more likely to get incredibly sick from the virus.”
A full list of testing locations and options can be found onde.gov/gettested.
