The nationwide increase in COVID-19 cases is showing up in the First State as well.
COVID hospitalizations, new daily cases and percent of people testing positive have all trended upward in Delaware over the past month.
“We want all of those measures to go the other way,” Gov. John Carney said Tuesday. “So we need to flatten the curve again.”
Other states are seeing similar trends, andsome experts worry the U.S. could be on the cusp of a fourth surge, despite more people getting vaccinated each day.
As of Tuesday, 142 people were hospitalized with COVID-19 in Delaware. The 7-day average of new daily cases of the virus remained above 300, where the measure has been for a week.
During a virtual town hall Tuesday, Carney blamed the local uptick in cases on Delawareans letting their guard down.
“The good news is, vaccines are flowing—half a million shots into people’s arms,” he said. "The bad news is, it’s making people feel a little bit more comfortable, a little bit more confident. We’re into the nicer weather, it’s been beautiful out, people are circulating more—and as a result, the virus is spreading.”
State officials urge residents to wear masks, practice social distancing and get tested.
The number of Delawareans getting vaccinated continues to rise.
Anyone age 16 and older became eligible Tuesday, and by Wednesday nearly a third of all Delawareans had received at least one shot—and close to one in five had been fully vaccinated.
That’s roughly in line with nationwide vaccination rates.
