Delaware Agencies announced more closures to their public facilities as Coronavirus infects 8 more Delawareans.
NEWARK(DE): Earlier today, the Department of Health announced eight additional positive cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) bringing the statewide total to 16.
The facts:
- Seven of the eight individuals are New Castle County residents, and one is the first reported case in Sussex County.
- Four of these individuals are males, and four are females. All but one is self-isolating at home; one in New Castle County is hospitalized.
Six of the seven New Castle County residents participated in the ChristianaCare Health System drive through testing event.
The Sussex County resident had a travel-related exposure. The source of the exposure of the remaining individuals is under investigation. The Department of Health say they do not have all the results for all of the patients who attended drive-through event; “The hospital system that performed the testing will report results to the patients, and all positive results to The Department of Health., said Andrea Wojcik, spokeswoman for the Department of Health.
As Delaware Coronavirus continues to infect more Delawareans, state and local agencies are putting recommended measures in place to help prevent the spread of the virus. The Biden Welcome Center along I-95 closed it’s doors at 6:00 Pm. Tuesday evening. DELDOT explains it’s temporarily and an effort to keep crowds from gathering.
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According to DelDot, “fuel will still be available at the gas station located on the north side of the property and bathroom facilities in the convenience store will also be available to motorists. The stand-alone Starbucks will continue to offer a full menu for drive through customers only.
Starting Wednesday business hours for the four DMV locations, for Wednesdays will change to 8:00am to 4:30pm and there will be no evening hours to eliminate the possibility of overcrowding in the evening hours for the next two weeks. This may be extended and further changes may be implemented depending upon the status of the pandemic event.”
DART also have announced it will “operate on a reduced schedule until further notice due to the presence of Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Delaware, business closures, reductions in staffing and lower ridership levels, effective Wednesday, March 18th.”
“DART public transit services will operate on the following reduced service schedule until further notice. On weekdays, regular fixed route services will operate on a Saturday service schedule statewide, with additional service on Routes 15, 18, 43 and 301. DART’s regularly scheduled weekend service will operate normal service levels. For specifics, please visit www.DartFirstState.com.”
The DART press release also stated that:
“Customer Service call center hours will be reduced to Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM. Riders can view real-time bus information by downloading the DART Transit app. All DART ticket stores will be closed until further notice starting on Wednesday, which includes the stores at 718 N. Market St., Amtrak Station, at DART Administration Buildings in Dover and Wilmington, and at the Lewes Transit Center. DART fares and passes can be purchased through DART Pass mobile payment app, online, or by paying cash on the buses. A list of other sales locations is available at Ticket Outlets.
Statewide Paratransit services will continue to operate normal hours, as will the Reservations call center and to support Delaware Public Schools, DART is offering students free bus rides on regularly scheduled bus routes to access school meal programs weekdays from 10 AM to 2 PM until schools are back in session.
In addition, Delaware Transit Corporation (DTC) has implemented several additional measures to clean vehicles and facilities used by the public to help limit the spread of the illness.
For customers who ride our public transit service, all DART buses have and continue to be thoroughly disinfected with vital oxide antimicrobial spraying solution and we are thoroughly cleaning areas of frequent contact to keep our buses as clean as possible.
Our public facilities and lobbies are continually being disinfected including counters, public seating, and door handles.
The safety and well-being of our customers and employees is our top priority. We know the importance of connecting people to their destinations, safely, and efficiently. We are closely monitoring this rapidly evolving situation through Delaware’s Division of Public Health and the CDC to ensure that we have the most up-to-date information to guide our operations.
If you are feeling sick, please do not visit public facilities and avoid public transportation. For more information on the state’s response to the Coronavirus, visit de.gov/coronavirus.”
Newark Police had some modifications as well. In a press release earlier today, police spokesman, Andrew Rubin said that their Records Division will be closed to the public. Rubin said the reason was “due to ongoing efforts to prevent transmission of COVID-19 (Coronavirus).” Requests for copies of police reports and other information should be made in writing or by telephone. The Records Division will be available by telephone Monday through Friday from 9:00 am until 2:30 pm at (302) 366-7100 option 3. All payments must be made by check or money order sent via mail or can be placed into the payment dropbox in the Municipal Building lobby.”, Rubin said.
“Anyone who walks into the police lobby for police assistance will still be able to contact a police officer at all times of the day.”, Rubin said
