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| Delaware News Journal
Lights, winter, action in Wilmington
The Grand offers a holiday light show driving along the riverside.
AJ Schall, director of the Delaware Emergency Management Agency, tested positive for COVID-19, prompting Gov. John Carney to cancel public events this week “out of caution,” the governor said in a press release Saturday.
Schall attended the weekly COVID-19 press conference with Carney and Dr Karyl Rattay, director of the Division of Public Health.
Carney is not considered close contact due to social estrangement and wearing a mask. But the weekly coronavirus press conference will be held practically this week out of caution.
Schall, who manages the logistics of the statewide testing program, tested positive on Friday.
“He is currently at home with mild, cold symptoms and we all wish AJ a speedy recovery,” Carney said.
In a press release, DEMA said Schall tested negative on Monday, but then developed symptoms on Wednesday, which triggered the second test. Schall is at home “isolated and keeps in touch with the governor’s office and DEMA leaders,” DEMA said.
“I am fortunate to have minor symptoms so far and appreciate the good wishes,” Schall said in the press release. “I follow all of the Public Health Division’s guidelines and encourage you to do the same. Wear a mask, do a physical distance and get tested.”
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Carney stressed in his statement the importance of following the recommended advice, saying that this “only underscores the seriousness of this virus”.
“This is a real threat – especially to our most vulnerable friends, neighbors and loved ones,” he said. “Let’s all do our part to limit the spread this winter. Wear a mask. Think twice before meeting with friends or family outside of your home. We will overcome this.
Delaware reported 505 new cases of the coronavirus on Saturday. The seven-day average daily case is 470.3. As of 6 p.m. Friday, 202 people have been hospitalized with complications from COVID-19 and 29 people have been listed in critical condition.
MORE TO READ: Delaware healthcare workers could start receiving COVID-19 vaccines in early December
The number of hospitalizations is the highest the state has seen since May 25. The number of people hospitalized almost doubled from October 31 to Saturday.
The spread of the community is so uncontrolled that almost all zip codes in the state are considered an area of concern. Contact tracing efforts in the state are also under significant pressure.
Contact Jeff Neiburg at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @Jeff_Neiburg.
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