COVID-19 UPDATE

5-22-2020

I n an effort to keep Delaware's medical community current on the latest information regarding the coronavirus crisis, the Medical Society of Delaware is sharing the following:

MSD Observes Memorial Day

The Medical Society of Delaware will be closed Monday, May 25th in observation of Memorial Day. We wish everyone a relaxing and healthy holiday! We are proud to be serving you!

DPH Announces 143 New Positive Cases / Five Additional Deaths

According to the Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH)  192 new Delawareans have been diagnosed with COVID-19, taking the total number of lab-confirmed cases to  8,529, including  221 who are hospitalized,  44 of whom are critically ill.

Three hundred twenty-two individuals have died due to COVID-19 in Delaware with ages ranging from 21 to 103 years old. A total of 146 individuals were from New Castle County, 56 were from Kent County, 119 were from Sussex County, and one individual’s county of residence is unknown. 

The most recent deaths ranged in age from 39 to 90. Two were New Castle County residents, one was a Kent County resident, and two were Sussex County residents. Four the individuals had underlying health conditions and three were residents of long-term care facilities.

Latest statistics on positive cases:

There have been a total of 607 positive COVID-19 cases cumulatively involving long-term care residents, and 208 of those residents have died from complications related to COVID-19. The locations and number of deaths related to long-term care facilities are:

Read more.

COVID-19 Sentinel Surveillance Plan Announced

The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) has released information regarding the start of a COVID-19 Sentinel Surveillance Program, where state providers and some health centers will help track the spread of COVID-19 throughout the state, but especially in some of the most vulnerable sectors of Delaware. Federally Qualified Health Centers throughout the state will be critical in this process. Read more.

Statewide COVID-19 Testing Program

Ramps Up

Delaware's Statewide Testing Program is transitioning from a symptom-driven hospital-based testing operations, to a proactive, collaborative community-based testing strategy. The state’s evolving approach involves curative drive-through events open more broadly to the public, and targeted walk-up and drive-through events in areas of Delaware that are home to citizens who are more vulnerable to the spread of COVID-19 because of long-standing inequities. Read more.

CDC Recommends Babies Born to a

COVID-19 Positive Mother be Tested

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is now recommeding that all newborns born to women with confirmed or suspected COVID-19, regardless of whether there are signs of infection should be tested. While much still needs to be learned, the CDC suggests newborns first be tested 24 hours after they are born and if the test is negative, they should be tested again the next day. Read more.

Governor Carney Addresses Press Ahead of Holiday Weekend

Delaware Governor John Carney spoke at his biweekly press briefing about the State's expectations for the Memorial Day weekend and going forward with the loosened COVID-19 restrictions. Division of Public Health Director Karyl Rattay, MD announced a significant increase in long term care testing participation. Director of Delaware Emergency Management Agency (DEMA) AJ Schall explained the latest testing efforts, and Mike Jackson of the Delaware Office of Management and Budget explained some of the financial challenges going forward. View press briefing.

Dealmed Helps Meet PPE Supply Demand

MSD understands the urgent need for medical supplies, including personal protective equipment (PPE). MSD's newest Affinity Partner, Dealmed, is the largest, independent medical/surgical distributor in the Northeast region and is offering MSD members special discounted rates. Located in New Jersey, Dealmed has a wide array of services, affordable supplies (including PPE equipment and injectable medications), and custom items that can quickly be delivered to your office. To set up an account or for a free consultation, please contact Sonja Baggett, Medical Consultant, at (302) 766-2124 or [email protected].

Physician Emeritus Luncheons Cancelled

Due to the coronavirus pandemic and with the safety of our members in mind, the Medical Society of Delaware is cancelling the 2020 Physician Emeritus Luncheon Series. We are in the process of issuing refunds to all who have registered. We will eagerly look forward to resuming in 2021.

For more information and resources regarding COVID-19, MSD has created a coronavirus resource page on our website.  View resource page .   

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