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This page offers all of Delaware Public Media's ongoing coverage of the COVID-19 outbreak and how it is affecting the First State. Check here regularly for the latest new and information.

Dept. of Health and Social Services ends walk-in services at its offices

Milton Pratt
/
Delaware Public Media

First State public health offices are seeing a decline in office visits during the COVID-19 outbreak. The Delaware Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) wants to continue that trend.

DHSS announced Monday that it is eliminating walk-ins and will primarily handle clients’ needs by phone, email, or online to reduce public interactions. DHSS spokesperson Jill Fredel said it was seeing a drop in office visits during the pandemic - as people maintain social distancing.

“We are really grateful that our clients are following along and staying home safe and making these connections with us either online, phone calls, emails,” Fredel said. “We have adapted our processing so we can follow along with our clients.”

Fredel said some in-person visits are still offered by appointment.

“We know have hundreds of people who are homeless in Delaware and for them maybe they don’t have a phone,” Fredel said. “So, they are used to walking into our office to either to pick up mail or to replace maybe a lost EBT Card. And, we will continue to be open for those services.”

Crisis and emergency services are still offered in person without appointments. Critical services still operating include the Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health’s Mobile Crisis Services, the Division of Social Services’ Community Partner Support Unit and the Office of Animal Welfare’s animal control.

DHSS is also teaming up with United Way of Delaware to handle COVID-related calls. Residents are encouraged to call Delaware 211 before calling public health offices.