It’s quite obvious we are now entering the third Coronavirus (COVID-19) wave that was previously predicted to come, mostly due to Americans ignoring the CDC Covid-19 guidelines.
As of Saturday, the United States has surpassed more than 12 million Covid-19 positive cases and states have reported more than 255,000 deaths since the pandemic began. Saturday alone brought more than 200,000 new daily cases across the nation.
The alarming trend has prompted the CDC to issue holiday gathering guidelines and urge Americans not to travel for the Thanksgiving holiday. As of Saturday, Americans have been ignoring those guidelines as more than 1 million people flew through U.S. airports on Friday alone, according to data from the Transportation Security Administration, causing fears of the virus spreading even more.
Despite officials pleading with Americans to stay at home, it was the second-heaviest domestic air traffic day since the start of the pandemic.
“This is the 2nd time since the pandemic passenger volume has surpassed 1 million,” TSA spokeswoman Lisa Farbstein wrote on Twitter on Saturday.
Meanwhile in Delaware, the state topped more than 400 daily cases on Saturday alone. The figure is a seven day average daily case count. This is the highest daily case count since the pandemic began. The state reported 649 new positive cases Thursday alone and Friday saw an additional 504 new positive cases. Twenty-six are critically ill, up four from last week.
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Officials in recent weeks have tightened up some restrictions. The tightened restrictions begin Monday November 23, 2020.
Indoor gatherings outside of homes must be limited to 30 percent of the venue’s stated fire capacity, up to a cap of 50 people. This includes all events, such as weddings, funerals, services in houses of worship, performances, political gatherings, and events in public spaces including fire halls.
Outdoor public gatherings are limited to 50 people. Up to 250 may be allowed with a plan approved by the Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH).
Restaurants must operate at no more than 30 percent of fire capacity indoors, with allowances for additional outdoor seating.
Governor Carney’s order will also prohibit Delaware youth sports organizations, teams and venues from hosting or participating in tournaments with out-of-state teams, effective at 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday, December 1. The order includes a provision prohibiting Delaware teams from traveling across states lines for tournaments.[/su_box]
After health officials learned the sources of those who tested positive, they are now recommending Delawareans take the following actions to prevent further spread of infection in the community:
• Only dine socially (at home and in restaurants) with those who live with you.
• Don’t spend time socially with people outside your household.
• Don’t plan on holding holiday dinners with those outside your household – even family.
Top 5 Infection sources: This is how many people were infected after visiting the below establishments. This is not to say that those who tested positive after visiting one of these establishments contracted covid-19 as a result of visiting the establishment.
As of Friday, a total of 30,816 positive cases of COVID-19 among Delaware residents have been reported to state officials since the pandemic began. Officials say that includes 15,534 individuals who have made full recoveries.
According to state data, the number of new daily cases each day this week has remained elevated with the seven-day average increasing to 398.9 as of Thursday, November 19, 2020.
A review of state health data also shows hospitalizations have increased in the state as more than 170 are currently hospitalized due to COVID-19 complications. This represents an increase of 40 from the total as of last Friday’s update.
Delaware also saw 30 deaths from Coronavirus (COVID-19) in the past two weeks. In total, 746 Delawareans have passed away due to complications from COVID-19. The state reported 12 additional deaths since last week’s update, including two as a result of a review of Vital Statistics records.
State officials continue to encourage Delawareans to take advantage of the testing sites across the state and are now encouraging Delawareans to follow these holiday guidelines. A recent University of Delaware testing site saw thousands. You can get a full list of testing sites here.
Facts about testing:
The seven-day average for the percentage of persons who tested positive for COVID-19 increased from 12.9% as of Nov. 12, to 14.8% as of Thursday, Nov. 19.
As of Tuesday, Nov. 17, the seven-day average for the percentage of total tests that were positive was 5.9%, up from 4.7% as of Nov. 10.
The Division of Health says there is a two-day lag for presenting data related to percent of tests that are positive to account for the time delay between the date of the test and the date that they receive the test result.
Although the CDC is urging Americans not to travel during the Thanksgiving holiday, Delaware officials are encouraging those who are planning on traveling to get tested before they do so. It is recommended that you get tested at least 14 days before your scheduled travel. Unless you get a rapid test done before Thursday, you’re out of luck. That means you should not travel.
We’re just days away from the Thanksgiving holiday and it appears more and more people are ignoring the CDC guidelines. A Wilmington Citgo gas station was recently fined $100. for violating Governor John Carney (D) pandemic restrictions.
The fine was issued to the Citgo on Concorde Avenue in Wilmington by the Delaware Division of Public Health.
According to officials, two visits by inspectors in September and October found a lack of proper use of face coverings from customers and employees and a lack of floor markings that denote six feet of distance between customers. The visits came after complaints about the business.
112220_More Americans are ignoring CDC guidelines as we get closer to the holiday season
While we may be moving into another wave of Covid cases in the state, there is hope. On Saturday, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration authorized an experimental drug cocktail that has shown to be effective in preventing severe illness in people infected with the coronavirus.
The drug was developed by Regeneron and was approved to treat mild to moderate Covid-19 cases for both adults and children over the age of 12 who are at risk of developing severe symptoms. This includes people 65 years of age and older and those with chronic medical conditions.
Casirivimab and imdevimab must be administered intravenously and are not approved for patients who require oxygen therapy as a result of Covid-19. The FDA said it will continue to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the treatment, it said in a statement.
Previously, on Tuesday, the FDA approved the 1st Rapid Virus Test that gives results at home. Regulators allowed emergency use of the test which can be performed entirely at home and delivers results within 30 minutes. It’s unknown if this test is available in Delaware.
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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, or headache or 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.
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Information about testing events, including community testing sites, permanent fixed testing sites, and free-standing sites operated by the health care systems and hospitals, will be listed on the testing section of the Delaware coronavirus website at: coronavirus.delaware.gov/testing/.
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Delawareans over the age of 18 are encouraged to download COVID Alert DE, Delaware’s free exposure notification app to help protect your neighbors while ensuring your privacy. Download on the App Store or Google Play.
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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 re-open should go to COVID19FAQ@delaware.gov.
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.
DPH will continue to update the public as more information becomes available. For the latest on Delaware’s response, go to de.gov/coronavirus.
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