05/22/2020

by Christina Bryan, Director of Communications and Policy

Since the first coronavirus cases were confirmed in Delaware, our hospitals have stepped up to respond with screening and testing for COVID-19. To date, Delaware has tested more than 50,000 people for COVID-19. Delaware hospitals have tested the vast majority of those individuals -- more than 49,000 people in Delaware.

Delaware announced its first COVID-19 case in Delaware on March 11th and our hospitals were quick to respond. ChristianaCare held the state's first COVID-19 drive-thru testing event on March 13, 2020, testing over 500 people, and Beebe Healthcare followed, holding the first drive-thru testing event in Sussex County the following day, March 14^th, testing more than 200 individuals. Since then, Bayhealth, Nanticoke Memorial Hospital, Nemours and Saint Francis Healthcare have also all hosted or participated in numerous community COVID-19 testing and screening events in communities throughout the state in coordination with state partners.

These testing sites and events take serious planning in order to execute safely and effectively. They require staff time, testing supplies, adequate personal protective equipment, follow up for communicating results, and ongoing care for those that test positive. While many of these events are absolutely free for Delawareans, they come with tremendous financial costs for the hospitals.

Delaware hospitals have been integral leaders in the coronavirus testing done in our state, testing more than 49,000 Delawareans and helping to identify thousands of COVID positive individuals, thereby helping slow the spread of COVID-19. As the state moves to expand testing efforts to include more health care providers, be assured that our hospitals will continue to play a critical role.
 
For a list of upcoming community testing sites, visit: https://coronavirus.delaware.gov/testing/