Dr. Deborah Birx: “It is extraordinarily widespread. It’s into the rural as equal as urban areas.”

They say the best way to protect yourself against covid-19 is by adhering to the CDC and state health officials recommendations. Sounds pretty simple but not everyone is taking this disease serious enough and were seeing a spike in cases around the country.

Some think their rights are being infringed upon so I say to you, forget about those feelings and start thinking about others around you and the most vulnerable because this is not a political crisis. It’s a health crisis and it’s happening all around the world.

No, It’s not a hoax and it wasn’t “made up” to fool or trick Americans and yes, health officials are telling you one thing today and something else tomorrow, and that’s because they are learning new things about the disease every day, so lets stop calling our health officials liars, or that they don’t know what they are doing or how to do their jobs.

Wear your mask, social distance, and use hand sanitizer or wash your hands. These are very simple guidelines while in public. I would start adhering to these guidelines because if you remember, the WHO warned that a second wave of infections would begin in August and we have already seen spikes all around the country.

On Sunday, Dr. Deborah Birx urged all Americans, especially those in rural areas or living in multi generational households, to take precautions against the coronavirus. As schools plan for the fall, Birx warns areas with high coronavirus case numbers should move to online instruction.

“What we are seeing today is different from March and April,” Birx warned. “It is extraordinarily widespread. It’s into the rural as equal as urban areas.”

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As of Sunday, the US had reported more than 4.6 million cases of covid-19 and at least 154,449 Americans have died, according to data from the Johns Hopkins University.

The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) provided an update on the most recent statistics related to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Delaware, as of 6 p.m. Thursday, July 23, 2020.

In Delaware, a total of 14,202 positive cases of COVID-19 among Delaware residents have been reported to the Department of Health since March 11, 2020, including 7,936 individuals who are considered recovered.

Currently, 55 individuals are hospitalized due to COVID-19, nine of whom are critically ill., officials say.

The seven-day average decreased from 4.9% as of July 16 to 4.2% as of Thursday, July 23.

Of the 49 deaths added to the state’s total death count, 37 are classified as confirmed due to there being a positive lab result of COVID-19 in DPH’s surveillance system, and 12 deaths are classified as probable, as, per the CDC case definition, the death certificate indicated COVID-19 or SARS CoV-2 as a cause or contributing factor to death.

With the 49 additional COVID-19 related deaths added to the state’s statistics, 578 Delawareans have passed away due to complications from COVID-19. Individuals who have died from COVID-19 ranged in age from 21 to 104 years old. Of those who have died, 310 were females and 268 were males. A total of 283 individuals were from New Castle County, 105 were from Kent County, and 190 were from Sussex County.

Long-term Care Statistics: Information related to positive cases and deaths among residents at long-term care facilities will be updated weekly each Friday, using information reported as of 6 p.m. Thursday. There have been a total of 1,166 positive COVID-19 cases cumulatively involving long-term care residents, and 356 residents of Delaware long-term care facilities have died from complications related to COVID-19.

[su_box title=”More Coronavirus (Covid-19) Information”]Additional demographic data on COVID-19 cases and deaths, including race/ethnicity, more age-specific data and rates information by ZIP code, can be found on the Division of Public Health’s My Healthy Community data portal at de.gov/healthycommunity.[/su_box]

[su_box title=”Delaware Covid-19 Guidance”]If you are sick with any of the following symptoms, stay home: fever, cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, muscle aches, fatigue, chills, shaking with chills, loss of smell or taste, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea, congestion or runny nose without a known cause such as allergies. Other symptoms such as abdominal pain or lack of appetite have been identified as potential symptoms related to COVID-19 and may prompt further screening, action or investigation by a primary care provider. If you are sick and need essential supplies, ask someone else to go to the grocery store or the pharmacy to get what you need.

If you believe you have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, or have symptoms of illness, make sure to distance yourself from others, particularly vulnerable populations. Older adults and people of any age with serious underlying medical conditions – including serious heart conditions, chronic lung conditions, including moderate to severe asthma, severe obesity and those who are immunocompromised, including through cancer treatment – may have a higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19.[/su_box]

[su_box title=”Report Those Not Complying”]Individuals who have complaints about individuals violating public gathering restrictions should contact state or local law enforcement. Concerns that a business may be violating operating restrictions should be directed to: HSPContact@delaware.gov. Questions related to business re-openings or operations as businesses reopen should go to COVID19FAQ@delaware.gov.[/su_box]

Individuals with questions about COVID-19 should call Delaware 2-1-1, individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing can text their ZIP code to 898-211, or email info@delaware211.org. Hours of operation are 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Monday through Friday; 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Medically related questions regarding testing, symptoms, and health-related guidance can be submitted by email at DPHCall@delaware.gov.  Questions regarding unemployment claims should be emailed to: UIClaims@delaware.gov.

In addition, the Division of Public Health asks any Delaware health care, long-term care, residential, or other high-risk facility with questions or concerns to email: DPH_PAC@delaware.gov or call the DPH Call Center at 1-866-408-1899 and press ext. 2.