COVID-19 pandemic in Delaware

On March 4, in preparation for the spread of COVID-19 in Delaware, the Delaware Division of Public Health opened a coronavirus call center at its State Health Operation Center in Smyrna to assist with questions that businesses, schools, and people may have about the disease.[1]

On March 11, the Delaware Division of Public Health announced its first presumptive positive case of COVID-19 in Delaware. The positive case involved a man over the age of 50 in New Castle County who was associated with the University of Delaware.[2]

On March 12, Delaware Governor John Carney declared a state of emergency. This allowed for the Delaware National Guard to take precautionary actions and prepare for further response to the disease, for the state to conduct public meetings electronically, and prevent the price gouging of goods. Governor Carney also recommended that all non-essential public gatherings of over 100 people be canceled, following CDC guidelines.[3] Three more positive cases of coronavirus were confirmed on March 12. The patients were two graduate students and a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Delaware.[4] Delaware State University President Dr. Tony Allen advised all students to not return to campus until at least April 5. He also announced that all classes from March 18 until April 5 will take place online.[5]

On March 13, the Downtown Dover Partnership announced the cancellation of the St. Patrick's Day parade due to coronavirus concerns.[6] Late on March 13, Governor Carney closed all Delaware Public Schools from March 16 to 27.[7] In addition, the University of Delaware announced that all classes after spring break would be moved to an all-online format for the remainder of the semester. All University of Delaware on-campus housing would close for students who remained on the campus during spring break on March 17 at 10:00 pm and for all students who were returning to campus on March 22 at 10:00 pm.[8]

On March 14, the Delaware Division of Public Health announced two more positive cases of coronavirus in the state. The two new patients were both self-quarantining in New Castle County: a woman older than 50 and a man older than 60. This increased the number of total positive cases in Delaware to 6.[9]

Delaware announced their seventh case in the state on March 15; the case is associated with the University of Delaware.[10]

The Delaware Division of Public Health announced on March 16 that a woman over 50 in New Castle County was confirmed to have coronavirus. The total number of positive cases increased to 8 in Delaware with the addition of this case.[11]

It was announced on March 17 that eight additional positive cases of coronavirus were confirmed in the state, including the first in Sussex County. Of the patients, four were men and four were women, though their ages were not revealed. This increased the total number of positive cases to 16 in Delaware.[12]

On March 18, the DDHS announced the addition of 10 more positive cases in the state of Delaware, including the first three in Kent County. All three of Delaware's counties had at least one coronavirus case by March 18. The addition of these cases increased the cumulative number of positive cases to 26 for the state.[13]

Dover Air Force Base declared a public health emergency on March 18, allowing for tighter restrictions of the movement of people on the base, including personnel restrictions and access restrictions to the base's installation. In addition, the emergency allowed the isolation and quarantine procedures for the base to go into effect.[14]

On March 19, the number of cases was confirmed to have increased to 30: 23 in New Castle, 3 in Sussex, and 4 in Kent Counties.[15]

On March 20, the state reported 27 lab-confirmed cases of COVID-19 in New Castle County, five in Kent County and seven in Sussex County, which brings the total to 39, with two people being in critical condition.

The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) had reported 30 COVID-19 cases in the state just the day before. DPH said testing is recommended for people with a fever and either a cough or shortness of breath.[16]

On April 24, Governor John Carney made the decision to close all Delaware schools for the remainder of the 2019–20 academic school year. "Nothing replaces in-person instruction, and the services that are delivered in our schools every day, but the health and safety of Delawareans is our first priority", he said.[17]

On March 17, The Delaware Division of Libraries announced that all Delaware Public Libraries were to be temporarily closed until further notice, and to evaluate before reopening of libraries and follow guidelines provided by public health officials.[18]

Delaware Governor John Carney declared a state of emergency on March 12, allowing for the Delaware National Guard to prepare for the coronavirus' spread.[3] He would close all public schools in the state on March 13.[7]

The City of Dover canceled all permits for event gatherings of over 100 people on March 13, citing the governor's recommendation.[6]

On March 16, all public libraries within Delaware have been closed until further notice. Restaurants were ordered to stop dine-in services at 8pm EST, moving to take-out and delivery only services.[19]

On March 23, Governor Carney issued the stay-at-home order to stop the spread of COVID-19. All non-essential businesses have been ordered to close. Governor Carney issued the order Sunday night, set to go in effect Tuesday morning at 8 a.m., stating "All non-essential businesses are closed. All Delawareans are instructed to stay in their homes, except when they are going to and from their place of business if it's permitted to stay open". This shelter-in-place order will remain in effect until May 15.[20] Additionally, Delaware schools are to remain closed through May 15 to fight the spread of COVID-19.[21]

Variable-message sign along Interstate 95 near Newark requiring that non-Delaware residents self-quarantine for 14 days

On March 29, Governor Carney ordered all travelers from outside the state to self-quarantine for 14 days upon arriving in Delaware. Exemptions from the self-quarantine requirement included people only traveling through Delaware, people traveling to an essential job, and people traveling to care for family members.[22]

On April 17, Governor Carney announced that schools in the state will remain closed until May 18, with updates coming if necessary. He also mentioned that there is not enough information yet to make a decision regarding the remainder of the year.[23]

On April 24, Governor Carney announced that schools in the state will remain closed for the remainder of the school year. Schools will continue to use remote learning.[24]

On April 25, Governor Carney announced that Delaware residents must wear face coverings when in public, including when shopping, visiting a medical office or using public transportation.[25]

On May 5, Governor Carney announced that the state would start testing all residents and staff at long-term care facilities.[26]

On May 8, Governor Carney allowed for retail stores to open for curbside pickup while also allowing for barbershops and salons to reopen with restrictions.[26]

On May 22, Governor Carney allowed for the Delaware Beaches and community pools to reopen ahead of Memorial Day weekend. Social distancing was enforced while masks were required on the boardwalk.[27]

On June 1, Delaware entered Phase 1 of its reopening plan. In this reopening phase, many businesses were allowed to reopen at 30 percent capacity, including restaurants, retail stores, shopping malls, museums, barbershops, salons, gyms, and casinos. In addition, outdoor gatherings of up to 250 people were allowed. With the move to Phase 1, the ban on short-term property rentals along with the 14-day self-quarantine requirement for out-of-state travelers were both lifted.[28]

On June 8, tattoo shops, massage parlors, and nail salons were allowed to reopen at 30 percent capacity.[29]

On June 15, Delaware entered Phase 2 of its reopening plan. In this reopening phase, businesses open in Phase 1 were allowed to increase their capacity to 60 percent. In addition, childcare services were allowed to open to everyone after having previously been restricted to children of essential workers.[29]