Delaware’s death toll from the COVID-19 pandemic jumped significantly Friday.
State health officials reported nine deaths, bringing the state’s total to 32.
Seven of the nine deaths involved long-term care facilities, where 21 of the state’s 32 deaths have occurred.
Six of the deaths reported Friday were in New Castle County, five involving long term care facilities. The age range for those five victims was 87-94 years old. The other New Castle County death was a 69-year-old woman who had been hospitalized.
There were 3 deaths reported in Sussex County Friday. They were a 61-year-old man who had been hospitalized, along with two women, ages 69 and 82, at long-term care facilities.
State health officials now say 19 long care facilities in Delaware have seen a total of 97 positive COVID-19 cases involving residents/patients or staff.
The 21 deaths at those facililties have been split between New Castle County and Sussex County. 18 were in New Castle County, including 11 at the Little Sisters of the Poor nursing home in Ogletown. Three have come in Sussex County.
Part of the spike in deaths Friday can be attributed to a change in the way the state is reporting deaths. It is now including “probable” deaths where a person had "clinically consistent symptoms and was exposed to a confirmed case, but was never tested."
There were also 117 new lab-confirmed cases of COVID-19 Friday. Delaware has seen 1,326 lab-confirmed cases since March 11.
Hospitalizations in Delaware rose to 181 from 169 people Thursday, with 48 people critically ill.
177 people have recovered, and more than 9,089 have tested negative.
The Division of Public Health said in Facebook post Friday the highest number of cases in Delaware is now in the area from New Castle to Bear, with cases increasing west and south of that area. In Kent County, the area west of Dover has the highest number of lab-confirmed positive cases. In Sussex, the highest case totals are in the Lewes-Rehoboth area, Georgetown, Millsboro and Milford.
Two more inmates at Vaughn prison have tested positive for COVID-19. There are now four inmate cases there, the only four in Delaware’s correctional facilities. Ten correctional officers to date have tested positive at multiple facilities. Two probation and parole officers have also tested positive along with several contract healthcare workers at DOC facilities.
Gov. Carney also formally extended his State of Emergency order Friday. He is required to do that after it has been in place 30 days. He first declared it on March 12th. This move does not change the order; all the pieces of it remain in place.
The Division of Public Health also issued guidance on religious gatherings, urging Delawareans to celebrate holiday weekend with only their immediate families.
