Delaware’s Division of Public Health (DPH) reports three more presumed cases of the new coronavirus disease, bringing the total statewide four.
The three most recent individuals to test positive for COVID-19 in the First State are all under the age of 30.
And like Delaware’s first reported case, these are associated with the University of Delaware.
Delaware has tested at least 44 people for COVID-19. Results for 30 came back negative and 10 are still pending.
The state is testing for the disease at its Public Health Lab. Health providers can also test for COVID-19 submit test samples to Delaware LabCorp locations without approval from DPH, according to a state press release.
State Public Health Director Dr. Karyl Rattay says for weeks the state was only able to test those with the highest risk for coronavirus but adds testing is now much more widely available.
“We’ve been able to open up the criteria, and this is going to help not only better identify people who might be more mildly ill, but then also it helps us better understand what’s going on in our community,” said Rattay.
Rattay says none of the four individuals are severely ill, and all are self-isolated at home.
The state has issued a guidance for the University of Delaware community. It says those who came into contact with the infected individuals must not take public transportation and must self-quarantine at home for at least 14 days after last contact with positive cases.
Rattay says the four cases are all linked, and the state is reaching out to any other individuals suspected of contacting them while they were symptomatic.
“When we learn about a positive case, we do investigation to better understand how many people may have come into contact with a person while they have been symptomatic. So that's something that our epidemeologist or our disease investsigators do.”
The state has not issued wide-scale guidance concerning large. But Rattay says those planning events should make sure "precautions are in place" including hand sanitizer.
This story has been updated.
