Rutherford Newsflash: Senator Jack Walsh Newsletter – Delaware Coronavirus Updates

Hello friends and neighbors,

COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and deaths have continued to climb at a record pace since Thanksgiving. As many of us prepare for Christmas and New Years Day, each of us has to take responsibility for protecting our loved ones and getting this winter surge under control.

Enhanced restrictions intended to limit the number of people congregating indoors took effect this morning. Please follow them.

Shop responsibly and order online or by phone whenever possible. Limit holiday gatherings to your immediate family. Wear face coverings. Practice social distancing. Wash your hands often. And please, get tested regularly.

In this week’s newsletter, you will find updates on:

  • Delaware’s enhanced COVID-19 restrictions
  • Testing sites available in our area this week
  • Tips for safely enjoying the holidays
  • Delaware’s plan to distribute the COVID-19 vaccine
  • And more

Be well and stay safe,

Jack Walsh
Senator, 9th District



NUMBER OF COVID-19 CASES

Delaware last week continued to set new records for this pandemic. We saw the largest number of new cases reported in a single day (1,058) on Friday. We also recorded the highest 7-day rolling average for new cases (826) on Friday. And we hit the most COVID-19 hospitalizations at one time (348) on Wednesday.

The cumulative number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Delaware since mid-March has now reached 45,460 – a 14% increase from a week ago. Statewide, the rate of infection is now 484.5 cases for every 10,000 people.

Hospitalizations increased by 13 percent last week to 357 people, while the number in critical condition rose to 55.

Delaware documented 23 deaths since last week, bringing the total number of fatalities to 816. Of those 55% were residents of long-term care facilities.

Be sure to continue visiting Delaware’s COVID-19 website for all the latest data, news, community resources and plans for distributing a safe and effective vaccine.

Click Here To Visit coronavirus.delaware.gov

ENHANCED RESTRICTIONS KEEP BUSINESSES OPEN

Governor John Carney announced several enhanced restrictions last week that went into effect throughout Delaware this morning.

While these new rules mean fewer people are temporarily being allowed inside large retailers, they set smaller limits for smaller businesses. The governor deserves a lot of credit for this change, which puts mom-and-pop shops on equal footing as they close out the holiday shopping season.

  • Big stores with more than 100,000 square feet are now being held to 20 percent of fire capacity, while retail stores with less than 5,000 square feet will be allowed to operate at 40 percent of capacity. Businesses in between can continue to operate at 30 percent.
  • All houses of worship and funeral homes, regardless of size, can operate at 40 percent.
  • Mall food courts can hit 20 percent capacity or 100 people, whichever is smaller.
  • Exercise classes at gyms can continue with up to 10 people, so long as exercise machines are spaced at least 10 feet apart.
  • Indoor public events, just like indoor gatherings in homes, also must be held to 10 or fewer people, while outdoor gatherings should not exceed 50 people without a plan approved by the Delaware Division of Public Health.
  • Restaurants and bars must now close at 10 p.m.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION

GET TESTED NOW, GET TESTED OFTEN

Share holiday cheer this month, not COVID-19. Protect yourself, your loved ones and your community by getting tested regularly.

More fast, free and convenient testing sites are available in our area than ever before.

For a full list of state-run and community testing sites in Delaware, click here.

Walgreens is also offering 13 test sites across the state by appointment only. To check available locations and reserve an appointment, click here.

DELAWARE PREPARES TO RECEIVE COVID-19 VACCINE

Nearly 8,800 doses of the FDA-approved Pfizer vaccine are expected to arrive in the First State this week, marking what many hope will be a turning point in our efforts to contain this deadly disease.

This vaccine has a 90 percent effectiveness rate but requires two doses spaced about three weeks apart.

Due to the initial limited supply of the vaccine, Delaware health officials have developed a multi-tier strategy for distribution.

The first people to get the vaccine will be health care workers, emergency medical services agencies and staff at long-term care facilities – all of whom are on the front lines of this battle.

By early next year, workers in high-risk, critical infrastructure industries will begin to get the vaccine. That includes first responders, teachers, poultry plant workers, along with people in close-proximity group living facilities such as prisoners, people in homeless shelters and seniors with underlying health conditions.

State health workers expect to begin vaccinating more moderate-risk Delaware residents by March and introduce the vaccine to the general public by late spring or early summer.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION

WEEKLY 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.

EMERGENCY FOOD PANTRIES ARE AVAILABLE

The Food Bank of Delaware will be holding a drive-thru mobile pantry in New Castle County this week. Pre-register to save time or register at the event.

Friday, December 18
11 a.m. – Frawley Stadium, 801 Shipyard Drive, in Wilmington
Pre-register: DecNewCastleCountyFood.eventbrite.com

Several financial assistance programs are available to help support Delaware families and businesses in-need:

COVID-19 RELIEF & SUPPORT

Several financial assistance programs are available to help support Delaware families and businesses in-need:

Housing Assistance

Help is available statewide for eligible renters and homeowners impacted by COVID-19.

Renters affected by COVID can now receive up to $8,000 in financial assistance, while impacted homeowners can now apply for up to $10,000 in help covering their mortgage costs. Eligible income limits also have been adjusted so more Delawareans can take advantage of these CARES ACT funded programs.

At this time, applications will be accepted until December 30, 2020.

LEARN MORE

Food Assistance

Families struggling to keep food on the table this winter might be eligible for SNAP benefits.

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program helps families afford nutritious meals. Benefits are automatically issued electronically to your Delaware Food First card each month and can be used at your local grocery store.

The SNAP Outreach team at the Food Bank of Delaware can even walk you through the application process.

LEARN MORE

Health Care Relief Fund

Delaware’s healthcare workers have stepped up in heroic ways during this pandemic. As they work to save lives and protect our most vulnerable neighbors, our healthcare industry is also facing unprecedented financial pressure. That’s why Governor John Carney recently dedicated $100 million in CARES Act funding to help support their fight against COVID-19.

LEARN MORE

Higher Education Assistance

A $45 million fund was recently announced to help Delaware’s colleges and universities avoid tuition increases or a reduction in student loans and grants as they weather this pandemic.

Funded by the CARES Act, these funds must be used on specific expenses related to the COVID-19 response.

LEARN MORE

CELEBRATE SAFELY

This holiday season has to be different than years past if we’re going to get through this safely.

Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah or Kwanzaa, we all need to work together to keep our holiday gathering safe.

Delaware health officials have five recommendations for how you can celebrate responsibly.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION

WINTER WEATHER WARNING

Some areas of Delaware could become a winter wonderland as soon as Wednesday, when a nor’easter is expected to bring a few inches of snow to the First State.

Prepare now for snow and icy conditions that could impact travel on our roadways. Make sure you have emergency kits in your vehicle and your home. And please bring your pets inside any time there is a winter storm or freezing temperatures.

To help you stay better informed during winter weather events, I’m including a list of helpful agencies, their websites and their social media sites below:

National Weather Service-Mount Holly for weather conditions and winter storm warnings:

DelDOT to check road conditions before travel:

DEMA for updates and state office closures

PrepareDE for tips on how to be prepared for this winter and all hazards in Delaware:

Center for Environmental Monitoring and Analysis for snow totals and data: