By Tim Mastro

WILMINGTON — As Delaware’s COVID-19 statistics continue their downward trend, the state increased indoor gathering limits on Friday.

Gov. John Carney signed the Seventh Modification to the Omnibus Emergency Order Friday to raise capacity for indoor events with restrictions still in place to prevent spread of COVID-19.

Under the latest order, ​the limit on gatherings at businesses and other indoor spaces ​is increased from the current limit of 10 people to a maximum of 25 people or 50% of stated fire occupancy restrictions, whichever is less.

Organizers may ​submit a plan to the Division of Public Health to host larger events up to 150 people. Outdoor gatherings are limited to 50 people, or up to 250 with an approved plan from DPH. The limit for private indoor gatherings or events, such as dinner parties, house parties, and birthday parties, remains at 10 people.

Event organizers must email DPH at HSPContact@delaware.gov at least a week prior to the event ​for permission to host indoor gatherings over 25 people, up to 150 people, or outdoor gatherings over 50 people, up to 250 people. Businesses and other event hosts also must continue to follow state and local COVID-19 restrictions, including masking and social distancing requirements.

Indoor gatherings with fewer than 25 people and outdoor gatherings with fewer than 50 people do not require a plan, but must follow all other applicable requirements.

The order also raises the group exercise class capacity to 15 people, excluding staff, with additional restrictions in place.

A previous order, which went into effect Feb. 12, increased occupancy inside restaurants, retail locations, gyms, houses of worship, arts venues and other business locations to up to 50% of stated fire capacity.

“We are making progress in our fight against COVID-19. Hospitalizations are down more than 50 percent from our winter peak, and Delaware providers have administered more than 164,000 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine,” said Gov. Carney in a statement. “But let’s keep doing what works until we can get enough Delawareans vaccinated. Wear a mask. Avoid large gatherings where this virus can spread. Wash or sanitize your hands frequently. Stay vigilant.”

Also on Friday, Gov. Carney extended the COVID-19 emergency order another 30 days to confront the spread of COVID-19 in Delaware.

Gov. Carney’s order came on the same day Delaware recorded its lowest COVID-19 hospitalization total in the last 90 days. The DPH reported 173 individuals hospitalized with the virus — the state’s best mark since Nov. 20.

Delaware’s seven-day rolling average for percentage of positive tests also dropped below the World Health Organization’s recommended mark of 5% for the first time since Nov. 11, decreasing to 4.8%.

The DPH reported 17 additional deaths on Friday, including 13 due to a review of Vital Statistics records from January, to increase the COVID-19-related death toll to 1,343. The 17 deaths ranged in age from 66 years old to 97 years old.

Six were residents of a long-term care center, bringing the total number of long-term care COVID-19-related deaths to 679. Ten of the 17 were from New Castle County while six were Sussex County residents and one was from Kent County.

A total of 84,181 positive cases of COVID-19 have been reported to the DPH since March 11. Delaware’s seven-day rolling average of new positive cases decreased to 280.3 new cases per day in the DPH’s latest report.

To date, the DPH has identified seven confirmed cases of the COVID-19 variant, SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.7, in Delaware through routine surveillance of test specimens. This variant is the same one that was first discovered in England in December and is also commonly referred to as the UK Variant, according to the DPH.

The DPH said the seven cases include six adults ranging in age from 18 years old to 65 years old, as well as a child under the age of 10. Five individuals were from New Castle County and two were from Kent County.