Delaware reports increase in coronavirus cases and deaths ahead of state's reopening

The number of deaths related to the coronavirus and the number of confirmed cases continue to gradually increase in Delaware as the state prepares to lift its stay-at-home order Monday.

Over the weekend, Delaware health officials reported 10 additional deaths related to COVID-19 and 262 more cases. To date, the state has confirmed 9,498 cases and 366 deaths.

The U.S. became the first country to surpass 100,000 deaths from COVID-19 on Wednesday, according to Johns Hopkins University data. In the days since reaching the gruesome milestone, the country's news cycle has been dominated by protests in cities across the country in response to George Floyd's death at the hands of Minneapolis police.

Asked if protests in Wilmington, which turned from peaceful to violent Saturday night, would affect the stay-at-home order, Gov. John Carney gave no indication the plan would change, saying he hadn't thought about it yet.

Delaware is scheduled to lift its ban on short-term rentals and the mandatory quarantine for out-of-state travelers on Monday. Restaurants and businesses will be allowed to reopen with limited capacity and will be subject to social distancing restrictions. 

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The number of residents hospitalized continues to decrease. Officials said 160 people were hospitalized Sunday, a decline of 45 from the week prior.

There are multiple testing events scheduled for this week. Each are from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. You can register in advance at delaware.curativeinc.com.

• Monday, Food Lion parking lot, 4307 Governor Printz Blvd.
• Tuesday, Beacon Middle School, 19483 John J Williams Hwy.
• Wednesday, Marbrook Elementary School, 2101 Centerville Rd.
• Thursday, Banning Park, 102 Middleboro Rd.
• Friday, Caanan Baptist Church, 3011 New Castle Ave.
• Saturday, Shiloh Baptist Church, 215 W. 23rd St.

More information regarding testing sites is available at coronavirus.delaware.gov/testing. 

Starting Monday, the state will officially begin its contact tracing program, designed to limit the virus's spread as the state gradually reopens businesses.

When officials announced the program on May 12, they said they were hiring 200 Delawareans to conduct contact tracing and case investigations. In a press release Sunday, the state said field teams of two will begin visiting individuals for whom the Division of Public health has no phone number to tell them they tested positive or have been identified as a close contact of someone who tested positive. 

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The state said they will request permission to ask the person a series of questions, but will not ask to enter the home unless they are unable to maintain the individual's privacy outside the home. Information shared will only be used by the Division of Public Health.

The deaths announced Sunday ranged in age from 65 to 93. All had underlying health conditions and were residents of long-term care facilities.

Contact Brandon Holveck at bholveck@delawareonline.com. Follow on Twitter @holveck_brandon.