The First State now reports 11 COVID-19 deaths.
Public health officials say another person has died and Delaware has 49 new confirmed cases of the coronavirus. The latest victim is an 84 year old Sussex County man.
The total number of confirmed cases statewide since March 11 is now 368. The current number of hospitalizations has dropped from 57 to 51, and 13 people are critically ill. The number of people who have recovered is up 27 to a total of 49.
Director of the state’s Division of Public Health Dr. Karyl Rattay says the increasing case numbers is not surprising.
“We are in the midst of what is called the acceleration phase of this," said Dr. Rattay. "Again, not unexpected, but very concerning.”
Rattay stresses that anyone displaying any COVID-19 symptoms should stay home from work and not go out at all.
She also notes the state is seeing symptoms beyond fever, cough and shortness of breath with COVID-19. Other symptoms include body aches, a runny nose, stomach ache and diarrhea.
Rattay also said Wednesday morning the state plans to watch essential businesses and workers more closely to make sure they are following the rules.
“The Governor and the Division of Public Health are extremely concerned that many businesses are not being compliant with social distancing – and we want to say we intend to crack down on this,” said Rattay.
Rattay asks the public to report businesses not following the rules or people who have tested positive that are not properly quarantining.
The state also now has preliminary data on negative test results, saying Delaware has seen 4,015 people test negative to date.
