Delaware’s positivity rate nears 30%
For the past two weeks, reports have shown the Delaware Division and remaining counties completely red. The most recent data report says the county seven-day rolling average positivity rate is now 28.44%. This is a 1.46% decrease in the risk of exposure. Zero new cases of COVID-19 have been reported. The total number of COVID-19 related deaths this week is also zero.
In the past week, 101 positive cases have been reported by the Indiana Department of Health. Over 230 residents have received COVID-19 testing. Most cases in Indiana come from 20-29-year-olds.
Over 20,000 Hoosiers have died from the COVID-19 virus since early 2020, including nearly 400 people from Delaware. Over 77,000 Delaware residents have been tested for COVID-19 contributing to the almost 290,000 Hoosiers tested since the initial outbreak.
To prevent the spread of COVID-19 and to ensure the good health of everyone, we ask adults and kids to please wear facial masks or stay home if they’re not feeling well.
Centers For Disease Control
The Centers For Disease Control is a specialized department in the federal government. The group specializes in protecting the public health of every person in the United States from both inside and foreign illnesses.
Specializing in the health of the American population, they’re one of the most accurate data sources for state officials and the federal government.
In 1946, the organization worked toward the prevention of malaria with only a $10 million budget. At the time, the south was one of the biggest hot spots for the deadly disease.
Local hospitalization data
Hospitals have been hot spots for average daily cases of COVID-19. Many positive cases are from patients that did not receive vaccinations. Students everywhere are being required to get vaccinated, including the booster shot.
The CDC chart shows an increase in hospitalizations after a dip in positive cases in November. However, hospitalization data shows COVID-19 cases decreasing over the last week.
Health risks don’t come from only breathing in the virus but touching contaminated locations too. Probable cases arise when infected individuals breathe out droplets that contain the virus. When the COVID-19 pandemic first hit, reported cases were not yet public, so many health centers advised people to stay home.
Overall, COVID-19 cases are decreasing nationwide since the records show a peak in January. However, contamination rates remain steady, according to CDC reports.
Tracking the COVID-19 virus has become easier with wastewater surveillance. A large percentage of contaminated individuals release COVID-19 from their bodies via bowel movements.
Reported cases in animals
In early January, NBC News reported cases of COVID-19 transmitted from humans to deer. These aren’t the first cases of COVID-19 in animals, as the Zoetis Vaccine was introduced late last year. Doses of the vaccine reduced the spread of COVID-19 from animals to humans. A common location for these confirmed cases was at zoos. There’s a growing fear of new variants developing in wildlife that could then be transferred to humans.
Local vaccination data
State data reported over three million fully vaccinated individuals. Over 54,000 of the Delaware County population are fully vaccinated. A little over 51,000 of Delaware have received their second dose vaccine. Over 3,000 Delaware residents have received their booster doses.
Getting vaccinated works in the prevention of COVID-19 in most cases. Fewer cases of COVID-19 are reported when much of the population receive vaccinations. The suggested two-dose vaccine series has proven to be more effective for disease control than one dose.
Data reported last year by the Centers For Disease Control said the Johnson & Johnson Vaccine (a one dose series), was proven to be effective in preventing COVID-19 for at least eight months.
In 2020, the Delta variant was reported in India. The Delta variant is faster spreading and serves an increased risk of exposure for the population. Although there were new cases of COVID-19 in vaccinated people, the reports of new cases were lower than those who were not vaccinated.
Symptoms of exposure can appear in four days, five days, or later. Fever or chills, muscle aches, a sore throat, diarrhea, nausea, and more symptoms have been reported. Those that contracted the COVID-19 virus said their symptoms were less severe and went away in a matter of days.
Because the symptoms closely resemble the symptoms of a cold or the flu, it’s important to get testing on each person. Medical staff tests for SARS-CoV-2, which causes COVID-19, typically within the nasal cavity.
At least one dose of the vaccinations will protect each age group for approximately 6-8 months depending on the brand of vaccine. A two-dose vaccine series is the average number of vaccinations required for each age group except for adults aged 65+.
Pharmacies nationwide are handing out the new N95 masks commonly used by medical care. Masks have been known to protect adults and children from the Omicron Variant, the latest infection spread worldwide.
While masks worn around the country have been said to decrease contact with sick patients, the N95 masks are now being reported as the most effective. N95s filter out 95% of air particles, preventing contact with COVID-19.
We hope to continue being one of Indiana’s most reliable data sources for COVID-19. You can view more of our health blogs here.
Sources:IN.Gov (Advisory Levels), IN.Gov (Vaccination Rates), CDC Organization, CDC History, CDC FAQs, CDC Weekly Review, NBC News, Ross Community Center, Johnson & Johnson, Yale Medicine, CDC Symptoms of COVID-19, CDC COVID-19 Testing, Healthline, WSLS News, NBC Chicago, Ross Community Center Public Health
Featured Image: mySA