Governor John Carney Urges Delawareans, Businesses, Nonprofits to Support COVID-19 Response Community call-to-action issued for emergency materials, supplies
Wilmington (DE): One of the biggest issues in healthcare is that providers don’t have enough equipment and supplies to meet the growing number of positive cases. In an NBC News survey of 250 health care workers, more and more are becoming fearful for the first time in the careers, as healthcare workers around the country run out of critical medical supplies and personal protective equipment to not only treat patients, but also protect themselves.
As of the publishing of this story, Delaware has a total of 393 positive cases, 245 of them are in New Castle County, 43 in Kent County, and 101 in Sussex County. Unfortunately, 12 people have died in Delaware from COVID-19, and most of those deaths occurred with people who were over the age of 60 with underlying health conditions. While 56 people are currently hospitalized, 49 have made full recoveries.
On Thursday, to better prepare Delaware for the peak of COVID-19 that has yet to come, and in an effort to help healthcare facilities don’t get overwhelmed, Governor John Carney issued a community call-to-action, urging all Delaware citizens, businesses and nonprofits to offer their assistance in Delaware’s fight against coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
So if you have critical medical supplies and PPE (Personal Protection Equipment) the state of Delaware wants to hear from you and time is critical. The State of Delaware launched an online tool to connect Delawareans offering materials and supplies with organizations, medical providers and others in need of assistance.
Click here if you are a citizen, business or nonprofit with materials and supplies to support Delaware’s response.
Click here if you represent a nursing home, emergency child care site, grocery store, pharmacy, or other designated emergency retailer and are in need of supplies.
“Delawareans across our state have stepped up during this challenging time to support their neighbors, and support Delaware’s response to COVID-19,” said Governor Carney. “We hope this new effort will encourage more Delaware citizens, businesses and nonprofit organizations to get involved. Our goal is to get emergency supplies and materials where they are most needed – on the front lines supporting our health care workers, our long-term care facilities, and other first responders. We’ll get through this – but it takes all of us.”
Governor Carney issued a formal request-for-assistance to private sector vendors on March 25, urging vendors to indicate the availability of critical emergency supplies.
Critical needs include:
• Hand sanitizer
• Sanitizing Wipes
• Nitrile Gloves
• Tyvek Suits
• N95 Masks
• Face shields and/or eye protection
• Impermeable gowns
Delawareans with general questions about COVID-19 or their exposure risk can call the Division of Public Health’s Coronavirus Call Center at 1-866-408-1899, or 711 for individuals who are deaf or hard-of-hearing, from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Questions can also be submitted by email at DPHCall@delaware.gov.
DPH will continue to update the public as more information becomes available. For the latest on Delaware’s response, go to de.gov/coronavirus.
