COVID hospitalizations climb above 200 in Delaware

By Tim Mastro

DOVER — The number of individuals hospitalized with COVID-19 in Delaware rose above 200 for the first time since Oct. 14, according to the Delaware Division of Public Health’s daily update on Monday.

DPH reported 213 COVID-19 hospitalizations — an increase of 14 compared to the day prior and the most hospitalizations since there were 224 on Oct. 8. Hospitalizations were last above 200 on Oct. 14 with 207 and were as low as 132 recently on Nov. 13.

The mark of 213 is still well off Delaware’s all-time high of 474, set last winter on Jan. 12. Hospitalizations were as low as 15 this summer on June 27.

Of the 213 currently hospitalized, 32 cases are considered critical, according to DPH. All hospitalization data is as of Sunday at 6 p.m.

According to DPH’s latest data, for the week of Nov. 15-21, 69% of new hospitalizations were not fully vaccinated against COVID-19. For the week prior, Nov. 8-14, 71% of new hospitalizations were not fully vaccinated.

Delaware is averaging 333.3 new cases of COVID-19 per day over the last week. That number was as low as 234.3 cases per day on Nov. 5.

The seven-day average is down from this time last year however when it was at 491.4 cases per day at the start of a winter surge. DPH officials have warned against another surge this winter and have encouraged vaccinations and booster shots as a way to prevent another uptick in cases.

A list of vaccination sites is available here.

DPH reported no new COVID-19-related deaths on Monday as that number remained at 2,173.