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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.

Report offers framework for COVID-19 resurgence response

A new report lays out recommendations to help the state plan for a potentially dangerous resurgence of COVID-19 this fall.

The report comes from the Pandemic Resurgence Advisory Committee or PRAC, a group of over 50 state leaders from the public and private sector. 

 

They developed a comprehensive strategy to deal with a COVID-19 resurgence focusing on health, business, and equity.

Their recommendations include monitoring the pandemic to proactively address a widespread resurgence and communicating regularly with all residents, businesses, and visitors about COVID-19.

"It is very much a model of shared responsibility or shared accountability as we like to say," said Secretary of State Jeff Bullock, a co-chair of the committee. "We realize now, as I think we did six months ago, but we know even more now that we are literally all in this together."

The report also prioritizes ensuring the entire healthcare system is ready and accessible while seeking ways to limit job losses and inequities in the virus’ impact should cases spike again. 

"Gotta have a healthy community to have a healthy economy, but at the base of that we've got to protect and have equitable distribution of care and services, particularly for our most vulnerable whether it's our homeless, our veterans, our communities of color that has really driven us," said Lt. Gov. Bethany Hall-Long, another PRAC co-chair.

The plan also calls for identifying tactics and resources necessary to manage a resurgence including testing capabilities, PPE, social distancing, economic development and recovery, and health facility readiness.

The committee adds that keeping Delaware safe and economically resilient requires supporting people and businesses disproportionately affected by the virus while mitigating stress and social disruption caused by pandemic control measures.

They also want to capitalize on trends to foster growth and innovative new businesses, and foster a culture of compliance to public health guidance. 

Pandemic Resurgence Advisory Committee Final Report 2020 by Delaware Public Media on Scribd

Joe brings over 20 years of experience in news and radio to Delaware Public Media and the All Things Considered host position. He joined DPM in November 2019 as a reporter and fill-in ATC host after six years as a reporter and anchor at commercial radio stations in New Castle and Sussex Counties.
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