Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
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.

Delaware may see COVID restrictions eased this or next week

State of Delaware

Gov. John Carney is still considering plans to reopen the state as COVID cases level off in Delaware. 

The First State is averaging 233 cases per day with 111 hospitalizations as of Wednesday. Those numbers were as low as 189 and 83 respectively just a couple weeks ago. Carney blames St. Patrick’s Day activities for the uptick. 

“I’m a little concerned about St. Patrick’s Day and the outcome of that frivolity,” he said. Tuesday. “We should be seeing now—we’re over a week out. So we’re just a little cautious there. We expect to have something maybe this week, maybe next.”  

Carney says he is keeping an eye on the actions of neighboring states New Jersey, Maryland and Pennsylvania as he looks to reopen Delaware. He says when the state does reopen it will not use the same phased approach as last year. 

“If you consider a phased approach a gradual approach: yes. If you’re thinking about phased approach like we talked about phase 1, phase 2, phase 3 back in the spring: no,” Carney said. “We don’t think about it those terms really now. We think about it in terms of how to keep establishments safe as we relieve some of the restrictions.”  

Businesses are currently limited to 50 percent of their fire code capacity and private indoor gatherings are limited to ten people. Plans submitted to the state Division of Public Health are required to host events of more than 150 people. Outdoor events are capped at 50 people, or 250 with a plan.

And Delaware’s statewide mask mandate is still being enforced as some states have made the move recently to lift mask mandates.

To date, just over 138,000 people in Delaware are fully vaccinated.

Related Content