Delaware sees a dip new COVID cases after back-to-back record setting days.
Public health officials reported the state saw 681 new cases Friday after Delaware recorded 784 on Wednesday and 924 Friday.
But other numbers continue to rise. Delaware’s rolling weekly average of new cases ticked up to just above 634 while the average of positive tests is now 8.6 – the highest it’s been since June 1.
And hospitalizations topped 300 for the first time since late April, reaching 306 with 36 people considered critical.
Gov. John Carney said in a statement that the rising hospitalizations are especially troubling.
“For anyone still not taking this winter surge seriously, now is the time to start. More than 300 Delawareans are currently in the hospital with COVID-19, and we are likely to soon pass our spring peak of 337 hospitalizations. We are facing a serious situation that promises only to get worse in the weeks ahead," said Carney in his statement. "We all know what to do. Do not gather with friends or family outside your household. Wear a mask anytime you’re indoors with others you don’t live with. Wash or sanitize your hands frequently. A vaccine is on the way. But we need to stay vigilant. These are small, temporary sacrifices that will save lives.”
The growing numbers prompted Carney to issue a new stay-at-home advisory last week. That asks Delawareans to avoid gathering indoors with anyone outside their own household between Dec. 14 and January 11. It also recommends schools “pause” hybrid learning during that period. Many districts responded by going remote this Monday.
Carney also instituted a universal mask mandate statewide, requiring people to wear a cloth face covering when indoors with anyone outside their immediate household.
No new COVID-related deaths were reported Saturday, leaving Delaware’s death toll at 782
