“DON’T COME TO DELAWARE. THAT’S OUR MESSAGE”
November 25, 2020
“Don’t come to Delaware. That’s our message to those in Pennsylvania that can’t go to restaurants and bars in their state,” Governor John Carney sternly stated in today’s COVID19 update at the Carvel Building in Wilmington. With the Thanksgiving holiday just two days away, Carney says Delaware currently has a zero-tolerance policy for COVID-compliance in bars and restaurants and motorists can expect to see increased DUI patrols at the Pennsylvania border and throughout the state over the upcoming holidays.
This message comes as 757 Delawereans have now passed away due to complications from COVID19, the average new cases per day has climbed to 440.7 and the current hospitalizations have increased to 185, according to the Division of Public Health (DPH). “The number of hospitalizations has continued to trend upward and that is very concerning,” said Dr. Karyl Rattay, Director of DPH. “We don’t want to go from 185 to 337,” added Governor Carney, referencing the peak of hospitalizations due to COVID19 this past Spring, which jumped from 181 on April 11th to 337 less than a week later on April 17th.
Delaware Governor JOHN CARNEY answers questions regarding Delaware’s response to coronavirus disease during a press briefing in the auditorium Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2020, at Carvel State Office building in Wilmington, DE. Photo By Saquan Stimpson
“We need to protect hospital capacity this winter,” said Carney, “and everyone has a hand in that, whether you’re part of the vulnerable population or not.” Dr. Rattay says since last week DPH has had to adjust their threshold for determining areas of concern in the state as it relates to community spread of COVID19. “Really, the entire state of Delaware is considered an area of concern at this point,” said Rattay, adding that New Castle County alone has seen a 40% increase in new cases.
Delaware Emergency Management, Director AJ SCHALL answers questions regarding Delaware’s response to coronavirus disease during a press briefing in the auditorium Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2020, at Carvel State Office building in Wilmington, DE. Photo By Saquan Stimpson
Meanwhile, according to a recent CDC report, Delaware is one of the top 5 states in America in COVID19 testing. A.J. Schall, Director of Delaware’s Emergency Management Agency says this month the State has collected between 2,000 and 11,000 tests daily, hitting an all-time high of 11,072 tests administered on November 18th. “Lines and traffic (at testing locations) have led to frustration,” said Schall. “We are asking people to practice patience and pre-register when possible.” Schall says that despite the recent heavy increase in testing, the state is still reporting turnaround times on results of less than 48 hours. Schall also added that starting this Friday, November 27th, Walgreens will be transitioning to a registration-based system only with 5 new testing locations being added across the state on December 1st.
Dr. KARYL RATTAY answers questions regarding Delaware’s response to coronavirus disease during a press briefing in the auditorium Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2020, at Carvel State Office building in Wilmington, DE. Photo By Saquan Stimpson
“There is a light at the end of the tunnel,” stated Dr. Rattay, reporting that Pfizer has submitted its Emergency Use Authorization request to the FDA regarding the distribution of their COVID19 vaccine, which Dr. Rattay says is reporting over 90% effectiveness with minimal side effects such as a sore arm, some fever, nausea or body aches. “The vaccine could arrive in Delaware as early as December 11th to the 14th,” said Rattay. The state says the first to receive the vaccine will be front-line healthcare workers who are in direct contact with COVID19 patients or people potentially carrying the virus. When asked when the vaccine would be available to the general population, Dr. Rattay said around March of 2021.
As for financial relief and support as we move into 2021 and potential economic ramifications due to restrictions amidst a second surge of the virus, Carney simply stated, “We have help on the way.” In a recent White House task-force call, Carney says President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris talked specifically about Delaware’s response to COVID19. “It was a very positive meeting,” said Carney. “He sees the states and Governors in particular who have been on the field battling this virus since back in March are true partners with the Federal Government.” Carney says himself and the other Governors in the meeting were unified in their message to the President-elect and Vice President-elect that leadership and financial support for the states is needed as we move into a second surge of the virus across the country.
Written by: Mikaelyn Austin