Delaware Headlines

Delaware Public Media Novel Coronavirus coverage

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.

First State adds 5 to COVID death toll, another prison death reported

Delaware Public Media | By Tom Byrne

Published January 20, 2021 at 3:52 PM EST

Delaware’s COVID-19 death toll rose by 5 for a second straight day, hitting 1,026 Wednesday.

The 5 victims announced by state health officials were all over 74-years-old with underlying conditions. One was a long-term care facility resident

The Department of Correction (DOC) also announced the state’s 13^th inmate death related to COVID Wednesday. It’s only the second since early September.

Michael Harris, a 40-year-old inmate Sussex Correctional Institution died Tuesday night. He had multiple underlying conditions.

DOC also notes it has 84 active COVID-19 cases as of Tuesday. 21 inmates are symptomatic and 2 are hospitalized.

Statewide hospitalizations from COVID-19 ticked up by two to 456. 53 people are considered in critical condition.

The average number of new positive cases remains below 700 with the 7-day average of tests returning positive still hovering around 9 percent. The state is performing around 8,500 tests per day.