By Tim Mastro

WILMINGTON — Gov. John Carney formally extended Delaware’s Public Health Emergency order Friday for another 30 days to allow the state and its medical providers to continue COVID-19 vaccination and testing programs.

Under Delaware law, Public Health Emergency declarations must be renewed every 30 days.

“There’s no better way to prevent the spread of COVID-19 than getting vaccinated,” Gov. Carney said in a statement. “Children ages 5 and older are now eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine, and that is really good news. If you have questions, talk to your family doctor. Getting more of our younger Delawareans vaccinated will help us finally put an end to this pandemic. Visit de.gov/getmyvaccine to find a free vaccine provider in your community.”

With children between the ages of 5-11 newly eligible for the Pfizer vaccine, the Delaware Division of Public Health has extended operating hours at its standing vaccine sites to make vaccinations more convenient and accessible for working families. The extended hours will run from Monday to Friday from 8:30-11:30 a.m. and 1:15-6:30 p.m. beginning this Monday until Friday, Nov. 19.

DPH’s standing vaccine sites are located at:

• Blue Hen Corporate Center: 655 S. Bay Road, Dover, DE 1990.

• Georgetown Plaza: 19 Georgetown Plaza, Georgetown, DE 19947.

• Canby Park: 1920 Maryland Ave., Wilmington, DE 19805.

• University Plaza, 256 Chapman Road, Suite 100, Newark, DE 19702.

DPH said parents or guardians are encouraged to first contact their child’s pediatrician to see if they are administering the vaccine. Vaccines will also be available at Federally Qualified Health Centers for patients. Westside Family Healthcare is offering vaccinations to non-patients as well.

Additionally, vaccines will be available to patients of pediatric health care providers and a limited number of large chain pharmacies initially until vaccine supply opens up. DPH recommends parents check pharmacy websites for scheduling options and availability before going.

DPH reported 76% of new COVID-19 hospitalizations between Oct. 25-31, the most recent available datatset, were not fully vaccinated. Seventy-five percent of new positive cases during the same time period were also not fully vaccinated, according to DPH’s weekly update.

There have been 5,882 total breakthrough cases in Delaware — 1.1% of fully vaccinated individuals. A breakthrough case is defined as testing positive for COVID-19 after an individual has been fully vaccinated for two weeks or more.

Of those breakthrough cases, 111 ended up hospitalized while 83 resulted in death.