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Received this from a DE state senator—what DE is doing about COVID-19:

“The Division of Public Health is providing the below situational awareness briefing as a result of the recent increase in global cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The information below serves to provide important information about Delaware’s readiness activities.

Situational Awareness:

No confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Delaware.

No persons under investigation. Previous three (3) returned negative.

For the general public, the immediate health risk from coronavirus disease is low.

Thirteen (13) residents (asymptomatic travelers returning from Mainland China) are currently under DPH Supervised Monitoring. DPH has built self-monitoring kits for these individuals containing a mask, thermometer, hand sanitizer, and printed material about COVID-19 and Public Health contact information if symptoms appear.

DPH Lab still awaiting reordered test kits; expect ability to test two weeks after delivery.

All hospitals report a high census of patients with influenza-like illnesses. Hospitals have implemented decompression strategies by adjusting visitor guidelines and using additional hospital space for overflow.

Hospitals are conserving their Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and building protocols for appropriate use. DPH is providing PPE stock for hospital training purposes.

DPH issued a press release on its preparedness efforts Wednesday Feb. 26, 2020:
https://dhss.delaware.gov/dhss/pressreleases/2020/coronavir_2262020.html

We ask that you share with your constituents DPH’s coronavirus website with general information for Delawareans, fliers in multiple languages and updated information on travelers being monitored: de.gov/coronavirus

The Delaware Division of Public Health has been active in monitoring and responding to the evolving and expanding global outbreak related to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) since it began in Wuhan City, China. Since the outbreak, DPH has been making preparations not only to contain the spread of the disease, should it occur in Delaware, but also to mitigate the impact of the virus if community spread were to occur in Delaware.

As we continue to prepare for the eventual likelihood of community spread in the U.S., we have begun stepping up our planning and preparedness efforts around mitigation strategies recommended by the
CDC https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/php/preparing-communities.html. In the coming days and weeks, we will be having additional conversations with health care providers, schools, businesses and other state partners and stakeholders about what guidance to consider in the event of an outbreak locally.

This is another step in our collective planning and preparedness efforts. There is currently no community spread of the disease in Delaware. There is no need at this time for schools to make immediate decisions about reducing class sizes or school closures.

CDC is recommending communities prepare for what they would do if community spread occurs by:

Recommending schools review their infection prevention and control plans in the event there is a local outbreak in the community.

Recommending employers in the public and private sectors review their plans to ensure they are able to operate with adaptations like telework and flexible sick leave policies, as well as how to respond if an employee does get sick.

Providing guidance to the public about the steps they can take that would help slow the spread of illness.

We are dealing with a particularly serious flu season with over 5,000 cases and 11 deaths statewide. Everyday actions the public can take now to slow the spread of respiratory illnesses (including flu and/or coronavirus):

Cover coughs and sneezes;

Stay home when sick, and avoid other well people;

Wash hands frequently with soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizer;

Clean frequently touched surfaces often;

For flu-prevention – get the flu vaccine.

This event is dynamic and evolving rapidly. Individual risk of developing coronavirus disease continues to be dependent on exposure.

DPH relies on accurate and up-to-date information from various federal and international partners to guide our preparedness and response efforts. We continue to follow the CDC’s guidance, and as new recommendations are released, we will continue to share that information as quickly as possible with our health care partners and the public.

To date, Delaware:

Has activated the Division of Public Health’s State Health Operations Center (SHOC) to allow for enhanced response coordination;

Maintains communication and outreach with federal, state and local partners;

Coordinates testing for symptomatic persons with an associated travel history to China;

Is monitoring asymptomatic (not sick) individuals returning from Mainland China to ensure they do not develop symptoms;
Provides symptom monitoring guidance for residents returning to Delaware from China;

Participates in frequent calls with the CDC, health care systems, EMS and first responder agencies and other state agency partners (including DSHS and DEMA); and

Provides information to health care professionals, businesses and educational settings.”