Several more Delaware residents have died from COVID-19 complications.
State public health officials announced three additional deaths Saturday, bringing the statewide total so far to five.
The latest deaths were of a 76-year-old New Castle County man and two men from Kent County, ages 74 and 77. Both Kent County men were hospitalized, while the New Castle County man was not. All three had underlying health conditions. The source of their exposure is not confirmed.
The state also announced 49 more cases of the new coronavirus in Delaware since Friday — bringing the total number of confirmed cases so far to 214 since March 8.
That includes 130 confirmed cases in New Castle County (up 24 from Friday), 25 in Kent County (up 4) and 59 in Sussex (up 21).
There are also multiple new coronavirus cases at another assisted living facility.
Six residents at the memory care unit HarborChase of Wilmington have tested positive for COVID-19. Five are now hospitalized. The unit is home to 36 people. The state’s Department of Health and Social Services is working with the assisted-living facility to ensure resident and staff safety. The source of the infection is under investigation.
“Responding to multiple cases of COVID-19 in such facilities is among our greatest concerns,” Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) Secretary Dr. Kara Odom Walker said in a statement. “The populations who live in these facilities are at the highest risk for COVID-19, based on their age and underlying health conditions. Our DHSS team is working closely with the facility’s staff to make sure that the residents with COVID-19 are isolated from other residents, and that staff follow strict safety protocols regarding care of the individuals with the virus and also screening of all who enter the facility.”
The state reports 31 hospitalizations, with eight people criticially ill.
Nine people are considered recovered from the virus, which means it has been more than seven days since the resolution of their symptoms.
This story has been updated.
