To the friends and neighbors in my district,
We’re just two weeks into Phase 1B of our vaccination rollout. During my time volunteering at the vaccination sites at the Delaware City DMV and the Chase Center, I worked alongside health care workers and other volunteers as we tried to get as many people vaccinated as possible. While there have been some stumbling blocks, the results are overwhelmingly positive.
Delaware is now ranked 9th in the country in terms of the percentage of the population who have received the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccination at 8.5%. We’re also tied for 11th place when it comes to the percentage of our population who have received a second dose.
Our ability to continue at this pace will be dictated by the amount of doses coming in from the federal government. Recently, Delaware has been getting 15,000 to 20,000 doses per week, but production remains a hurdle nationwide. Click here to read more about the issues being encountered by states across the nation and countries around the world.
Given both the limited supply and the federal government basing future vaccine numbers on how many doses the state distributes, the Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) is focusing its vaccination efforts on delivering first doses to the highest-risk seniors ages 65 and older and providing second doses to high-risk health care workers as soon as possible.
If you are 65 or older, the first and most important step is to register your willingness to receive the vaccine. Click here to register today! Seniors without computer access can call the COVID-19 Vaccine Call Center at 1 (833) 643-1715 to register.
Our public health officials are committed to ensuring that all Delawareans receive a second dose within 42 days of their first vaccination in keeping with the latest CDC guidelines. The science shows that the first dose of vaccine provides 52-80% protection, making it more effective than the average flu vaccine.
In the meantime, DPH is working to get employer-based vaccination programs set up for teachers, first responders and other frontline essential workers.
Remember, we’re rolling out the largest and most extensive vaccination effort in Delaware history. There are going to be some bumps along the way as DPH scales up that program.
Please contact me with any issues you experience as DPH continues its work. My colleagues and I are in constant contact with agency officials to make sure your concerns are addressed as quickly as possible.
Click here for additional information about Delaware’s vaccine rollout.
In this newsletter you will find updates on:
- Vaccination options for seniors
- Testing sites in our area
- How Delaware is building out its vaccination infrastructure
- Additional steps to protect our most vulnerable neighbors
- And more!
Be well and stay safe!
Jack Walsh
Senator, 9th District
DELAWARE VACCINATION PROGRAM CONTINUES
Delaware is continuing to build out the distribution infrastructure needed to provide COVID-19 vaccinations to larger and larger segments of the population.
The Division of Public Health is currently prioritizing seniors 65 and older, while laying the groundwork to vaccinate workers in essential business included in Phase 1B.
Seniors have multiple options for scheduling their first dose:
- Large scale vaccination events: To participate in an upcoming drive-thru vaccination event, you must first register your willingness to receive the vaccine. Click here to register today! Seniors without computer access can call the COVID-19 Vaccine Call Center at 1 (833) 643-1715 to register.
- Pharmacy-based vaccinations: Pharmacies will eventually become the primary location for vaccinations as more doses become available, but are now limited due to supply. Six pharmacy chains in Delaware are now offering vaccines to seniors by appointment only. All scheduling must be completed online. No walk-ins or phone scheduling is currently available. For a list of participating pharmacies and links to their online scheduling, click here.
- Medical-provider vaccinations: Some primary-care and specialty-care providers have vaccines available for their own patients, while some may invite the public to request appointments. For a list of participating medical providers, click here.
DPH is also partnering with Vault Health and community organizations to expand access to the COVID-19 vaccine among low-income and underserved seniors. A walk-up event targeted to those seniors was held Tuesday at Delaware Technical Community College in Wilmington and more events are being planned.
Educators and school staff are scaling up their own vaccination events now. The Delaware Department of Education held its first clinics in all three counties last week with separate events for child care providers planned later this month. For more information about DOE’s COVID-19 vaccination plan, click here. Email your questions to Education.CovidVaccine@doe.k12.de.us.
Essential workers who fall under Phase 1B soon will be able to get vaccinations through their employers. Businesses that do not already have a vaccination plan are asked to fill out a survey here. Questions can be emailed to VaccinePlanning@delaware.gov.
MORE INFORMATION ON WHERE TO GET VACCINATED
THE LATEST COVID-19 DATA IN DELAWARE
The cumulative number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Delaware since mid-March reached 74,575 over the weekend – a 5% increase from one week ago. Statewide, the rate of infection is now 795.2 cases for every 10,000 people.
Hospitalizations are falling from their holiday peak but remain elevated. As of this morning, there were 388 people in the hospital due to COVID-19 complications, down nearly 11% from last week. The number in critical condition fell to 52.
Delaware documented 25 additional Coronavirus-related deaths over the last week, bringing the total number of fatalities to 1,041. Of those, 53% were residents of long-term care facilities.
Visit Delaware’s Coronavirus Data Dashboard for all the latest information about COVID-19’s spread throughout the First State.
CLICK HERE TO SEE MORE STATE-LEVEL DATA
GET TESTED NOW, GET TESTED OFTEN
Fast, free and convenient testing sites are available in our area this week.
Click here for a full list of state-run and community testing sites in Delaware.
Walgreens is also offering test sites throughout our state. Click here to check available locations and reserve an appointment.
Seniors and other high-risk populations also can get test kits delivered to their homes. You’ll need to download Zoom to your smartphone or other electronic device to complete the test. Click here for more information on how to request an at-home test kit.
HELP DELAWARE FIGHT COVID-19
Volunteers are needed to help bolster the rapidly growing vaccination infrastructure Delaware needs to deliver inoculations to nearly every resident by the end of the year.
The Delaware Medical Reserve Corps is a volunteer group of medical professionals, mental health professionals and everyday people willing to dedicate their time to help our state recover from this pandemic.
Any community member ages 18 and older can offer their services to help register Delawareans for vaccinations, manage traffic and process data at one of our large-scale vaccination events.
Please consider helping your community heal today.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION
NEW COVID VARIANT DETECTED IN DELAWARE
Three cases of the COVID-19 variant that originated in the United Kingdom were confirmed in Delaware last week.
All three people live in the same New Castle County household and may have been exposed while attending a family gathering with people from other states. Delaware is now one of 26 states reporting cases of the UK variant.
Preliminary data suggests the UK variant may spread more easily and quickly, but it is not yet known whether it causes more severe illness than the more common Coronavirus.
Public health experts believe current testing will still detect the UK variant and existing COVID-19 vaccines will provide a similar level of protection.
Please step up your efforts to reduce the spread of COVID-19 by continuing to frequently wash your hands with soap and water. Cover any coughs or sneezes with your elbow, not your hands. Wear a mask anytime you leave your home. Practice responsible social distancing. Get tested regularly. Sign up to receive the COVID vaccine when it becomes available to you. And limit any in-person gatherings to the immediate members of your household.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION
NEW TESTING RESOURCE FOR DELAWARE GROUP HOMES
Delaware group homes, day programs and other provider-managed settings that serve people with intellectual and developmental disabilities have a new resource for protecting clients and staff.
The Delaware Department of Health and Social Services is now making rapid antigen testing kits available to providers that can detect the active COVID-19 virus in 15 minutes.
That kind of quick detection is vital when it comes to serving this especially vulnerable community, who often have underlying health conditions but also rely on close contact and care from direct support professionals who can’t always maintain responsible social distancing.
Using a shallow nasal swab, providers will be able to test staff and more readily identify asymptomatic COVID-19 positive clients. Staff members who test positive will be required to isolate at home and obtain a second COVID test to confirm the rapid test. They will not be permitted to return to work until they provide a negative COVID test or complete their isolation period.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION
Weekly COVID-19 Press Briefing
Be sure to tune in for Governor John Carney’s weekly press briefing at 1:45 p.m. every Tuesday for the latest information and announcements.
You can watch by visiting his Facebook page or by visiting the State of Delaware’s livestream page.
COVID Alert DE App
Use your phone to help slow the spread of COVID-19.
This free and anonymous app will alert you when you’ve been exposed to someone who tested positive for COVID-19, regardless of whether that person lives in Delaware, Pennsylvania, Maryland, New Jersey, New York or Washington D.C.
Restore the Corridor – Wilmington
DelDOT’s massive, three-year reconstruction of Interstate 95 bridges, ramps and pavement is set to begin on February 12, 2021.
During Phase 1, the northbound lanes of I-95 will be closed from I-495 to an area between the Brandywine River Bridge and the U.S. Route 202 off-ramp. Northbound traffic and southbound traffic will share the 1-95 southbound side of the roadway, with one lane in each direction.
Access into/out of the City of Wilmington will remain open, but some ramps will be closed (see below image).
Commuters can access real-time travel advisories and updates by visiting DelDOT.gov or by downloading the DelDOT app from the Google Play or Apple App Store directly to their smartphones or other electronic devices.