Coronavirus metrics in Delaware remain largely flat, but state officials are noting a slight increase in cases in certain areas of the state.
As of Monday, there are 53 statewide hospitalizations, less than 100 new cases per day and less than five percent of tests in the state are positive.
But at the state’s weekly COVID update Tuesday, Delaware Division of Public Health Director Dr. Karyl Rattay listed zip codes in Wilmington, New Castle, Newark and Dover showing a slight increase in cases of late.
She also noted a seven percent positive test rate statewide on Sept. 4—the highest Delaware has seen in some time. That high rate was driven in part by 28 new cases found in Newark Zip codes 19711 and 19713 that same day. 19711 recorded a more than eight percent positive test rate.
Rattay also expressed concern about recent daily case amounts in Wilmington zip codes 19801, 19802 and 19805, as well as New Castle 19702.
Rattay says the main concern is students returning to college campuses at the University of Delaware and Delaware State University. She notes UD has so far reported 41 cases since students began returning to campus last week.
“What our epidemiologists or case investigators are finding is there’s no single point of exposure, but a number of these young adults are either in group living situations or involved in off-campus social activities,” said Rattay.
She adds the state is sending out contact tracing field teams to track down people who test positive but do not respond to phone calls. She also says New Castle County Police have been active in breaking up large gatherings.
Gov. John Carney says improved COVID metrics could lead to more students returning to classrooms, but he adds restrictions at bars, restaurants and other congregate settings will remain in place indefinitely.
“As I looked at the list—this is going back several weeks now—of what would constitute Phase 3, frankly it wasn’t a lot, it’s mostly just opening up certain venues,” Carey said. “But it gave the impression that everything was back to normal. Everything is not going to be back to normal until we have a vaccine”
At Tuesday’s update, both Carney and Rattay denounced a Bridgeville gathering which was reportedly attended by hundreds.
Carney also decried the recent decision by New York, New Jersey and Connecticut to yet again add Delaware to a list requiring out-of-state travelers to quarantine.
