Today the Pennsylvania Department of Health announced 1,680 additional cases of COVID-19 in the state, bringing the total number to 16,239. Delaware County has 144 new positives cases, bringing the total of positive cases in the county to 1,042.
The Pennsylvania Department of Health reported 70 new deaths in the state today, bringing the statewide total to 310. Delaware County had 3 deaths reported today: a 58-year-old female from Lansdowne, an 85-year-old male from Lansdowne and a 75-year-old female from Yeadon. The total number of deaths in the county is 25.
Governor Wolf has ordered commonwealth flags on all commonwealth facilities, public buildings and grounds fly at half-staff until further notice to honor the victims of the COVID-19 pandemic. State Flags outside of Delaware County owned properties are flying at half-staff in honor of the victims.
The rise in deaths and cases in our community reflects the urgent need for residents to stay home unless it’s necessary for work or essential such as grocery shopping or receiving medical care. Residents should wear a mask any time they leave their homes. Residents should reserve N-95 and surgical masks for healthcare workers. The use of a cloth or handmade mask is recommended for everyday use. The statewide stay-at-home order remains in effect and wearing a mask should not be considered an alternative.
Because homemade masks protect others from the droplets created by the wearer, it is important that as many people as possible wear these masks when leaving their homes. This helps prevent those who may be infectious but are only mildly symptomatic or not symptomatic from spreading the virus to others in the community.
Guidance on facial masks can be found here: www.chesco.org/4458/Coronavirus-COVID-19-Face-Mask-Guidance
Do-It-Yourself Face Covering Instructions can be found here: www.delcopa.gov/publicrelations/releases/2020/pdf/DIY-cloth-face-covering-instructions.pdf
Residents or organizations who would like to donate handmade facial masks, as well as other protective supplies, medical supplies, equipment, and in-kind donations, can call 1-800-253-3102 or email: EOC@DelcoDES.org
Donations will be distributed by the Delaware County Emergency Services Department
During the stay at home order residents are welcome to go outside but should adhere to the same guidelines that apply to indoors including social distancing and wearing a mask. When using a trail, at a park or walking in your neighborhood- stay at least 6 feet away from others and wear a cloth or homemade mask.
It’s also critical to practice social distancing both indoors and outside. During trips to a grocery store, pharmacy or when picking up take-out food, keep at least a 6-foot distance from others while inline or in a store aisle. Shop alone if possible to protect your family members and to also decrease the number of people inside the store.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, The County of Delaware Services for the Aging (COSA) and Community Transit are partnering to offer seniors an alternative to in-person grocery shopping. Community Transit drivers are available to get grocery lists and payment from seniors and shop and deliver their items. Seniors can stay safely in their homes. The cost of shopping and delivery will be subsidized by COSA. Seniors do need to pay for the groceries, but the service for shopping and delivery is free.
“This service was put into place to protect some of our most vulnerable residents during this pandemic,” said Delaware County Council Chairman Brian Zidek. “The less our seniors need to be out- the more protected they are. Please take advantage of this service and pass it along to your elderly loved ones.”
To contact Community Transit for this service, please call 215-900-2519 or email GroceryDropOff@CTDelco.org
This afternoon the Pennsylvania Department of Health issued guidance for businesses that includes sanitation and social distancing. The guidance can be found here: https://www.governor.pa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/20200405-SOH-Building-Safety-Measures.pdf
The County has a website dedicated to information on the COVID-19 including prevention, resources and a FAQ section with links to the Chester County Health Department, the Pennsylvania Department of Health and the CDC. The website is: www.delcopa.gov/ich/resources/coronavirus.html
The Chester County Health Department has updated its website to include data and maps for Delaware County COVID-19 cases. Residents can visit the website for COVID-19 data and information on how to keep themselves, their family and friends, and the community healthy.
The website is: www.chesco.org/4376/Coronavirus-COVID-19
It can also be accessed on the Delaware County’s COVID-19 website by clicking on the blue COVID-19 banner: www.delcopa.gov/ich/resources/coronavirus.html
There are two local numbers for residents to call for COVID-19 related resources and questions. Residents can call the Chester County Health Department Hotline at 610-344-6225. They have staff on-site from 8:30am-4:30pm, seven days a week answering questions. They have also partnered with the Greater Philadelphia Coronavirus Helpline, which is staffed 24/7. Residents can call 1-800-722-7112.
Residents are encouraged to register for the DelcoAlert notification system which alerts residents of updates and emergencies. You can register here: www.delcopa.gov/delcoalert/delcoalert.html