Delaware continues to see rise in COVID cases, hospitalizations after pre-holiday surge

Krys'tal Griffin, Delaware News Journal
·4 min read

After Delaware recorded the highest weekly increase in COVID-19 hospitalizations nationwide in late December, the virus continues to spread in the First State.

Newsweek reported on Jan. 2 that 16 states in the United States had a “substantial increase” in COVID hospitalizations in the week leading up to Christmas, Dec. 17 to Dec. 23, compared to data from the previous seven days, Dec. 10 to Dec. 16.

According to their report, COVID hospitalizations began to rise again in November in December, with 29,059 hospital admissions due to COVID nationwide in the week before Christmas. Delaware reportedly had the greatest increase in hospitalizations that week, up 61.9 percent from the previous week.

South Carolina and Louisiana trailed with week-over-week increases of 49 and 48 percent respectively, with Massachusetts, New Jersey and Mississippi following with hospital admissions increasing week-over-week by more than 30 percent.

COVID-19 hospitalizations in Delaware

Cases of the new COVID variant JN.1 are up this holiday season—here's how to avoid it
Cases of the new COVID variant JN.1 are up this holiday season—here's how to avoid it

Although Delaware has recently seen an increase in COVID hospitalizations, the number of recent hospitalizations is still much lower than similar time periods during the past few years.

The Delaware Division of Public Health’s Coronavirus Data Dashboard reports a total of 94.7 “current COVID hospitalizations” for the week ending on Dec. 16 and 105.3 for the week ending on Dec. 23.

For the most recent data available, the week ending on Dec. 30, there were 121.7 current COVID hospitalizations recorded. Note that the Division of Public Health has a separate dataset for critical hospitalizations, which currently recorded 10 as of Dec. 30.

Compared to previous years:

  • In 2020, the week ending on Dec. 16 recorded 407 hospitalizations, with 426 recorded for the week ending on Dec. 23 and 411 recorded for the week ending on Dec. 30.

  • In 2021, the week ending on Dec. 16 recorded 359 hospitalizations, with 401 recorded for the week ending on Dec. 23 and 485 recorded for the week ending on Dec. 30.

  • In 2022, the week ending on Dec. 16 recorded 147 hospitalizations were recorded, with 176 recorded for the week ending on Dec. 23 and 185 recorded for the week ending on Dec. 30.

COVID-19 in Delaware

COVID-19 continues to mutate and confirmed cases of new variants are on the rise.
COVID-19 continues to mutate and confirmed cases of new variants are on the rise.

The Coronavirus Data Dashboard, which includes most recent data from Jan. 2 and was last updated on Jan. 4, shows 1105 new positive cases in Delaware, with 495 recorded in New Castle County, 250 recorded in Kent County and 345 recorded in Sussex County.

Cases of COVID were most heavily concentrated in New Castle County in northernmost cities like Hockessin, Greenville, Centreville and Brandywine Hundred. In Sussex County, coastal areas like Lewes, Rehoboth and Bethany beaches.

The omicron variant, and its subvariants, account for all positive COVID cases in Delaware.

In total, 2,448,596 COVID vaccines have been administered in Delaware, but only 14.9% of the population of Delaware is vaccinated with the updated 2023-2024 dose.

COVID-19 continues to spread after holiday travels.
COVID-19 continues to spread after holiday travels.

To date, there are 3,535 total deaths from COVID-19 in Delaware, with 3,127 confirmed, 408 deemed probable and 1,097 occurring in long-term care facilities. The CDC defines “probable cases” as those meeting certain clinical or vital records criteria and/or lacking a confirmed lab test for COVID.

The Delaware Division of Public Health updates the Coronavirus Data Dashboard every Tuesday at 9 p.m. Values from the first week of the new year, from Dec. 31 to Jan. 6, will be available after 9 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 9.

At this time, a mask mandate is not in place in Delaware. Employers and organizations are encouraged to implement the appropriate health and safety protocols in their facilities and work with any individuals infected with COVID-19 to limit the spread of the virus, said the Division of Public Health.

How to stay safe, prevent the spread of COVID-19

A Christiana Care nurse administers a dose of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine.
A Christiana Care nurse administers a dose of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine.

The Division of Public Health recommends the following actions to help Delawareans stay safe from COVID-19, RSV, the flu and any other respiratory viruses in local communities:

  • Get vaccinated for COVID-19, the flu and RSV if eligible.

  • Get tested if you have symptoms or were exposed to someone with a respiratory illness and seek treatment if you test positive.

  • Stay home if you are sick.

  • Consider wearing a mask as cases continues to rise or if you or someone close to you is immunocompromised.

Got a tip or a story idea? Contact Krys'tal Griffin at kgriffin@delawareonline.com.

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This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: COVID continues to spread in Delaware after a pre-holiday surge