State lags in booster vaccinations
Delaware is on the other side of the surge in Omicron variant Covid-19 cases but faces challenges that include a lagging rate of booster vaccinations.
That was the message from Gov. John Carney’s Covid-19 briefing on Tuesday.
Carney pointed to new daily cases dropping from 3,000 to 881, with the rate of positive cases declining from 30% to under 20%. In addition, hospitalizations have fallen from 759 to 400 in what Carney described as a roller coaster ride of surges and declines in cases over the past two years.
While findings point to the Omicron variant often leading to less serious Covid-19 infections, the sheer number of cases has led to a spike in deaths.
Carney said the current indoor masking requirement is being evaluated and credited the mandate with helping to drive down cases. The governor pointed to the high rate of hospitalizations in ordering the mandate.
The governor also praised National Guard members for easing stress on staff who have been dealing with hospitals running at or above capacity.
To free up space, Delaware has moved less seriously ill patients to space in long-term care centers.
Despite progress in vaccinations, Delaware ranks a less impressive 26th among the 50 states in the rate of residents getting booster doses of the Covid-19 vaccine.
Delaware Division of Public Health Director Dr. Karyl Rattay spent a large portion of the briefing making a case for booster doses, pointing to studies showing the effectiveness of boosters and vaccinations in keeping people out of the hospital.
Rattay strongly recommended that the growing number of people testing positive for Covid-19 should get the vaccine. Public health officials have been dealing with claims that contracting Covid-19 provides “natural immunity” and eliminates the need for vaccines or a booster.
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