Delaware Covid case count declines for 4th straight month – Delaware Business Now

 The Delaware Division of Public Well being (DPH) reported that the statewide seven-day common of recent constructive Covid-19 instances has decreased for the fourth consecutive month. Hospitalizations and deaths associated to Covid-19 have remained low over the identical time interval. 

Common new constructive instances are lowest in Kent County, with Sussex County solely barely increased. Nevertheless, the seven-day common in New Fortress County is nearly 3 times that of Kent County and double the typical for Sussex County. On the whole, the extent of group unfold stays low.

DPH famous that people can get both the Pfizer or Moderna up to date bivalent booster, no matter whether or not their main sequence or most up-to-date dose was with Pfizer, Moderna, Novavax or the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. In keeping with the Facilities for Illness Management, the brand new bivalent booster replaces the present monovalent vaccine booster The sooner booster vaccine will not be approved to be used as a booster dose in individuals ages 5 and up. The bivalent booster is for many who accomplished their main sequence, or earlier boosters, two or extra months in the past.

The Novavax vaccine is additionally approved as a monovalent booster dose for adults ages 18 and older, no less than six months after finishing main vaccination with Pfizer, Moderna or Novovax, or two months after J&J who’ve by no means obtained a earlier booster.Adults might select to obtain a Novavax booster as a substitute of an up to date Pfizer or Moderna booster if they’re allergic to mRNA vaccines, or don’t want to get an mRNA vaccine. For extra info on boosters, go to de.gov/boosters.

DPH has inspired people to get their booster similtaneously they get their annual flu vaccine, both in the identical arm no less than one inch aside, or in numerous arms. As of Thursday, Nov. 1, a whole of 598 influenza instances have been reported for the week of Nov. 6 to Nov. 12, a rise from the prior week. It brings the overall variety of influenza instances for the season to 1,404. Whereas instances are growing, influenza-related hospitalizations stay low at 23 statewide at current.

As flu instances rise this season, solely 26% of Delawareans have obtained their annual flu vaccine.The CDCencourages everybody 6 months older to get their annual flu vaccine by Thanksgiving. 

Flu vaccines and bivalent boosters can be found at DPH clinics, many pharmacies, Federally Certified Well being Facilities and a few group occasions.

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is one other respiratory virus that has induced concern. Circumstances are starting to say no, however stay comparatively excessive. Throughout the week of Nov. 6 to Nov. 12, there have been 102 laboratory-confirmed instances of RSV reported amongst Delaware residents, with 606 whole instances for the 2022-2023 season.

The co-circulation of COVID-19, flu and RSV continues to be a priority for Delaware. The three viruses have contributed to a pressure on the well being care system, and public well being officers have urged the general public to follow prevention tips to assist scale back the impression and permit hospitals to proceed caring for many who are critically in poor health.

Although a vaccine doesn’t but exist for RSV, it’s not too late to get essential safety from the flu in case you not but obtained a flu vaccine Near half of the almost 1,500 Delaware flu instances reported this season occurred between Nov. 6 and Nov. 12.  Whereas it’s nonetheless potential to get the flu even after you’ve been vaccinated, the vaccine reduces the severity of sickness in case you do get sick, DPH famous.

The under knowledge is as reported on Delaware’s My Wholesome Group knowledge portal on Thursday, Nov. 17, 2022.

COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations:

Case statistics

• Complete variety of doses administered in Delaware:2,051,226
• Share of Delawareans 5+ who’re totally vaccinated (CDC knowledge): 76.1%  
• Share of Delawareans 12+ who’re totally vaccinated (CDC knowledge): 80.2%  
• Share of Delawareans 18+ who’re totally vaccinated (CDC knowledge): 81.7%  
• % of Delawareans who’re totally vaccinated (CDC knowledge): 72%