The national heat wave is expected to affect about 170 million Americans in the Midwest and Northeast this week. (Photo by Xurzon/iStockphoto)

Delaware health officials urge caution as extreme heat wave approaches

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Health

97, 99, 96 – those are the high temperatures expected for the state’s capital, Dover, for Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. With a heat wave expected to blanket Delaware in the coming days, the state’s Division of Public Health (DPH) is warning residents to take precautions to avoid heat-related illnesses, especially among the most vulnerable populations. According to the National Weather …

It's officially tick season, so be precautious to avoid getting latched on to and suffering from tick-related illnesses. (Photo by DieterMeyrl/Getty Images)

Delaware officials urge caution as peak tick season begins

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Health

As summer temperatures rise and more Delawareans head outdoors, state health and environmental officials are warning of increased risks from ticks and tick-borne illnesses. The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) and the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) are urging residents to take precautions to avoid tick bites, which can transmit serious diseases including Lyme disease, ehrlichiosis, …

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Indian River Power Plant to close in February

Bradley VasoliBusiness, Environment, Government, Headlines

By Bradley Vasoli Delaware’s only coal-fired energy power plant will cease operating in February, almost two years before its previously scheduled shutdown. PJM, the regional transmission organization (RTO) overseeing wholesale electricity movement in Delaware and a dozen other states, determined with transmission-line owner Delmarva Power that Indian River Power Plant Unit 4 can deactivate without compromising reliability or worsening consumer …

Paramedics deliver whole blood pre-hospital

DE becomes First State where paramedics provide whole blood to patients statewide

Peter OsborneHeadlines, Health

Delaware has become the first state to offer whole blood in ambulances across all its counties, marking a significant advance in emergency medical care. The milestone comes as paramedics report treating hundreds of patients since the program began in May 2023. New Castle County paramedics have now administered 151 units of whole blood, contributing to a statewide total of 250 …

The Division of Public Health had its Joint Finance Committee hearing Tuesday. (Photo by tashatuvango/Adobe Stock)

Public Health seeks $3.5 million more in 2025 state budget

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Government, Health

Editor’s note: This report has been updated to reflect that Medicaid is not overseen by Public Health The Delaware Division of Public Health wants a 2025 budget of $167.4 million, but about $3.5 million of that is not in the governor’s recommended budget. That puzzled the chair of the state Joint Finance Committee, which writes the state budget. It’s in …

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COVID cases, hospitalizations rise about 50% in last month, still low

bshupeHealth, Headlines

The daily average number of COVID-19 cases in Delaware has risen by 50% in the last month, but is still miniscule compared to the thousands per day in January. As of Thursday, the number of daily new cases, averaged over seven days, was 157.1, up from 94 on March 25. The number of hospitalizations was 25 Thursday, up 10 from …

Delaware's flu season has been very mild this year.

Kent woman becomes state’s first flu death of 21-22 season

bshupeHealth, Headlines

The Department of Public Health announced the first flu death of the year Tuesday. A 54-year-0ld Kent County woman became the first person in Delaware to die of the flu this season, the Delaware Division of Public Health announced Tuesday. She had underlying health conditions and was not vaccinated before dying of influenza A, the division said. It does not …

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COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations continue to drop in Delaware

bshupeHealth, Headlines

The number of new COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations continued to decline this week in Delaware. As of Thursday, Jan. 27, the Delaware Division of Public Health said the state has had a 57% decrease in the seven-day average of new positive cases reported since the peak of the surge on Jan. 12, 2022. It also reported: The total number of …

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Delaware sees 1,000+ new COVID-19 cases four days in a row

Charles MegginsonHeadlines, Health

Delaware broke its all-time record for new daily cases of COVID-19. One day later, it broke the record again. Photo by Sam Johnson/Pixabay. The day after Delaware broke its all-time record for new daily cases of COVID-19, the record was broken again. On Christmas Eve, 1,587 Delawareans tested positive for the virus. The previous state record was 1,393 on Dec. …

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Delaware sees 1,000+ new COVID-19 cases four days in a row

Charles MegginsonHeadlines, Health

Delaware broke its all-time record for new daily cases of COVID-19. One day later, it broke the record again. Photo by Sam Johnson/Pixabay. The day after Delaware broke its all-time record for new daily cases of COVID-19, the record was broken again. On Christmas Eve, 1,587 Delawareans tested positive for the virus. The previous state record was 1,393 on Dec. …