Coronavirus in Delaware: State to track race, ethnicity of coronavirus patients; more updates
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Here's the latest news on the coronavirus and its impact on Delaware and the region, for Thursday, April 9. Complete free coverage from Delaware Online can be found here.
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Governor: Delaware has not been tracking race, ethnicity of coronavirus patients, until now
Thursday, April 9, 3:38 p.m.
Sixteen of the 19 Delaware residents who have died from COVID-19 have been white, according to state officials, while the other three have been people of color.
But as for the race and ethnicity of the more than 10,000 people tested in Delaware for the novel coronavirus?
The state can't say, because more than half the testers didn't ask these questions or require them, making it challenging for officials to determine how the virus is spreading locally and how it may be affecting communities of color.
Starting Thursday, Gov. John Carney and the state Division of Public Health will require each test kit to report the race and ethnicity of the person being tested. This comes in the wake of data showing communities of color throughout the nation have been disproportionately affected by COVID-19.
"This is important and necessary information to have for lots of different reasons," said Carney at a press briefing Thursday, "not the least of which is that we know ... there are health disparities and chronic diseases and social determinants of health and the rest."
READ:Governor: Delaware has not been tracking race, ethnicity of coronavirus patients, until now
— Esteban Parra and Brittany Horn
USPS delivery workers will keep their distance, won't ring your doorbell
Thursday, April 9, 2:32 p.m.
The U.S. Postal Service has new delivery protocol to prevent the spread of coronavirus, including in Delaware.
According to a Thursday morning news release, USPS carriers will knock on your door instead of touching the doorbell if you have a package that requires a signature.
Carriers will also stay a "safe distance" and, instead of asking for a signature, they'll ask for a name and leave the package "in a safe place for retrieval," the release said.
READ:USPS delivery workers will keep their distance, won't ring your doorbell
— Sarah Gamard
DNREC to limit number of people in parks, may close areas if social distancing isn't followed
Thursday, April 9, 10:14 a.m.
The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control will limit the number of people allowed in parks to comply with social distancing guidelines starting Friday.
DNREC may also close certain areas of parks if there is too much crowding. The announcement comes following several days of warm weather that drew large numbers of people to parks.
"As the days have gotten nicer and the stay-at-home period endures, we have been increasingly concerned to see the behavior of some visitors to our state parks and wildlife areas, with full parking lots and increasingly crowded trails," DNREC Secretary Shawn Garvin said on Thursday.
READ:DNREC to limit number of people in parks, may close areas if social distancing not followed
— Isabel Hughes
Delaware health care workers put themselves at greater risk to provide extra care
Thursday, April 9, 9:32 a.m.
Patients' personal attention has gotten more complicated amid the coronavirus outbreak as families have been shut out of hospitals, leaving many sick people by themselves.
In many cases, health care workers are doubling as support – making extra phone calls to loved ones, setting up video chats so they can see their families, and even spending time at their bedside. And they do this at great risk to themselves and their own families.
"It's been emotionally challenging," said Josie Robinson, who has worked in Christiana Hospital's emergency department since 2003. "These patients are scared. They don't know what's happening and they don't know what's going to happen.
"Being able to look them in the eyes and tell them, 'I'm going to do everything I can for you,' that's what we do right now."
READ:Delaware healthcare workers put themselves at greater risk to provide extra care
— Brittany Horn
When will Delaware reopen from coronavirus shutdown? What officials are saying
Thursday, April 9, 5:09 a.m.
For nearly a month, Delaware has lived under a state of emergency that has closed businesses, limited gatherings and even placed restrictions on how we worship.
It's unclear when the statewide shutdown will end, and officials say it will largely depend on science.
"In the absence of therapeutics and a vaccine, and in the absence of widely available, highly reliable and low-cost testing, it will be difficult for us to reopen with confidence," said U.S. Sen. Chris Coons during a virtual Tuesday evening town hall with other state officials.
READ:When will Delaware reopen from coronavirus shutdown? What officials are saying
— Sarah Gamard
Outrunning the risk: Conrad freshman with cystic fibrosis tries to stay ahead of COVID-19
Thursday, April 9, 5:01 a.m.
Shortness of breath and chest congestion are common conditions for Mallory Holloway.
The Conrad Schools of Science freshman has cystic fibrosis, a genetic disease in which the lungs chronically clog with mucus. In addition to daily medication and therapy, Holloway fights back at cystic fibrosis by building her breathing power and cardio-vascular strength as a distance runner.
But in the coronavirus pandemic, with her lungs already compromised, Holloway would be a particularly unwilling target as COVID-19 causes respiratory tract illnesses such as pneumonia. The very nature of Holloway’s illness undermines her breathing, making COVID-19 additionally perilous.
"I feel like I've taken all the precaution that I can really take so what happens happens and I’ll just fight through it if it comes up I guess," she said.
READ:Outrunning the risk: Conrad freshman with cystic fibrosis tries to stay ahead of COVID-19
— Kevin Tresolini
Easter amid COVID-19: Worshipping 6 feet apart, the fluffy faithful, no egg hunts
Thursday, April 9, 5:01 a.m.
Instead of being packed into pews for Good Friday services at Victory Christian Fellowship in New Castle, worshippers will be directed into every other space in the parking lot.
The church's outdoor commemoration of Jesus Christ's death on the cross will take the form of a drive-in theater.
The church is one of many in Delaware that wrestled with how to celebrate the holiest day of the Christian year in the time of the coronavirus. Gatherings over 10 are banned and people have been told to stay home and to avoid going out and having contact with others.
READ:Easter amid COVID-19: Worshipping 6 feet apart, the fluffy faithful, no egg hunts
— Ira Porter
Eight, including five patients, test positive for coronavirus at Delaware Psychiatric Center
Wednesday, April 8, 7:44 p.m.
Eight people have tested positive for coronavirus at Delaware Psychiatric Center's Herman Holloway Sr. Campus near New Castle.
The people include five patients and three staff members. The patients are now isolated. The staff are self-isolating at their homes, Department of Health and Social Services announced on Wednesday.
"Our highest priority is the health and safety of the individuals we care for at DPC, as well as for the staff who provide that daily care," DHSS Secretary Dr. Kara Odom Walker said in a statement. "Unfortunately, the individuals we care for at DPC often have multiple underlying conditions."
READ:Eight, including five patients, test positive for coronavirus at Delaware Psychiatric Center
— Nick Perez
HUD gives Delaware almost $7 million to combat the COVID-19 pandemic
Wednesday, April 8, 6:11 p.m.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has given Delaware almost $7 million to combat the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic for the most vulnerable.
"This funding is crucial for our most vulnerable populations in Delaware," Delaware's U.S. Senator Tom Carper said Wednesday in a statement. "From providing homeless assistance to helping those who are immunocompromised stay healthy during this pandemic, these grants will help our cities and agencies meet the needs of our neighbors."
The funding comes from the CARES Act Grants, which also cuts red tape to help with COVID-19 response such as housing assistance and relocation services.
READ:HUD gives Delaware almost $7 million to combat the COVID-19 pandemic
— Nick Perez
Contact Esteban Parra at (302) 324-2299, eparra@delawareonline.com or Twitter @eparra3.