Delaware sees rebound in COVID-19 as more cases confirmed in senior week

DOVER, Delaware (WPVI) – Delaware health officials are concerned about an increase in the coronavirus in the state after more confirmed cases stemming from senior week activities.

Dr. Karyl Rattay, Director of the Delaware Division of Public, announced additional COVID-19 cases Tuesday of people who attended the week of the past year on state beaches.

Rattay said four people who were in a rental unit tested positive; three individuals in another unit tested positive; and there was another person who attended weekly activities on the beach that tested positive.

She said they expect those numbers to increase with more tests.

“If you are mixing with strangers in large group meetings, you are putting yourself at risk,” Rattay said. “Especially indoors, or if you are living in a group that is not your family, that is also a risk.”

Rattay said those who attended senior beach week are not in trouble, but should know about the risk. They are asked to take the COVID-19 test.

Delaware is among the 26 states across the country that are seeing a higher rate of new cases.

Governor Tom Carney said that many of the cases, in Delaware and other states like Florida, Texas, Arizona and Georgia, are with people in the age group of 18 to 34 years.

“I think it is indicative, anecdotally, of behavior, people who want to go back outside, to the beaches and inside to restaurants and bars that might be connected to them or houses and beach parties,” Carney said.
Rattay said that many people in the age group show no symptoms.

“It’s all a concern, because we don’t want to go backwards,” said Carney.

Carney said the state saw an increase in hospitalizations last weekend. She said hospital officials have told her, from now on, her view that there is nothing to worry about, but something to consider.

The governor said that as they seek to move the state from Phase 2 to Phase 3, they will continue to observe how the social distancing and facial mask guide is being followed.

Carney said the virus still exists in the community.

“This is not the time to let our guard down. This is not the time to be complacent,” Carney said.

There are currently 9,792 confirmed cases in Delaware and 446 total coronavirus-related deaths.