By Tim Mastro

DOVER — As the number of vaccinated Delawareans continues to grow, the rate of breakthrough COVID-19 cases remains low.

There have been 904 breakthrough cases of COVID-19 as of last week, occurring in approximately 0.2% of fully vaccinated individuals, according to data from the Delaware Division of Public Health. Of those 904 cases, 186 were reported last week.

For the week of Aug. 2 to Aug. 8, unvaccinated or partially vaccinated individuals made up 79% of positive cases of the virus and 85% of COVID-19 hospitalizations, the DPH said.

Vaccinations have been on the rise amid a surge in positive cases spurred on by the delta variant. Since July 19, the rate of first doses have outpaced second doses as Delaware has administered 1,085,065 total doses.

Vaccinations are available at most pharmacies, a list of which is sortable by ZIP code by visiting here. Local community events also have pop-up sites offering free vaccinations.

Dover’s Legislative Mall hosted a clinic on Sunday at Unity in the Community Family Fun Day. It was a partnership between the Haitian Vizyon Alliance and Kent County Coalition for vaccine equity and organized by Tabitha Health Care and Rose Simon. The event featured dis jockeys, comedians, vendors, food and an appearance by Lt. Gov. Bethany Hall-Long while offering COVID-19 vaccines to those 12 years and older.

The DPH also has six mobile units, which are visiting communities this week with low vaccination rates in an effort to eliminate potential barriers to vaccine access.

Two events are taking place today in Dover. The first is at Redner’s Warehouse Market on Del. 8 from 10 a.m. to noon while the second is at Lowe’s on U.S. 13 from 1 to 3 p.m.

Other clinics using the mobile unites are scheduled for the Wilmington Farmers Market on Wednesday (10 a.m to 2 p.m.), The Goodwill Center in Wilmington on Wednesday (11 a.m. to 2 p.m.), Laurel Junction on Thursday (10 a.m. to noon), Greenwood Fire Department on Thursday (1 to 3 p.m.) and Helen Chambers Park in Wilmington on Thursday (1 to 4 p.m.).

A full list of vaccination sites is available here.

The DPH reported 294 positive cases in Monday’s update, bringing the all-time total to 114,770. Delaware has averaged 262.6 positive cases per day over the last seven days — the most since April 27.

The delta variant remained the dominant variant in the state last week as all 39 test samples, which were identified at the DPH lab for variants, were the delta variant. The DPH lab sequenced 46 samples for variants last week, a variant positivity rate of 74%.

COVID-19 hospitalizations dropped by three compared to the day prior, down to 80. Of those currently hospitalized, the DPH said 17 cases are considered critical.

The DPH did not report any new COVID-19-related deaths on Monday as that number remained at 1,838 — 825 of which occurred among long-term care residents. Long-term care centers recorded no new COVID-19-related deaths over the last seven days and seven new positive cases, bringing that total number to 2,796.