Delaware has seen decreases in important COVID-19 metrics in recent weeks, though these numbers remain significantly higher than this time last year.
In the past two weeks, hospitalizations are down by 26%, the percent of positive tests has decreased by 18% and the weekly average of new cases has dropped 35%, according to state data.
“The numbers are getting better but we’re still not out of it yet,” Gov. John Carney said Tuesday during the state’s COVID-19 briefing.
Much remains the same in Delaware: A majority of Delaware’s hospitals are still operating under the Crisis Standards of Care, in which health care workers can prioritize patients when it comes to treatment and resources.
State and hospital officials are asking residents to volunteer to work in these health care facilities due to significant staffing issues.
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And the mask mandate is still in place. it is unclear when it will be lifted.
Dr. Karyl Rattay, director of the Division of Public Health, said during the briefing that she shared the governor’s “cautious optimism.”
VIDEO:Gov. John Carney provides an update on the Delaware COVID-19 response. Watch the replay
She noted that pediatric cases have been increasing since Thanksgiving, resulting in children age 5 to 17 currently having the highest case rate in the state.
“None of this really is entirely surprising,” she said, “if you look at the vaccination rates for these age groups and incorporate what we know about the spread of omicron.”
The vaccination rates among Delaware children lag behind many states.
Contact Meredith Newman at (302) 256-2466 or at mnewman@delawareonline.com. Follow her on Twitter at @MereNewman.
