As of Sunday, Delaware County has seven confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 after one more case was reported in the county Sunday,  March 15.

The update from the Pennsylvania Department of Health confirmed 16 additional cases in Pennsylvania, bringing the statewide total to 63.

All the patients are either in isolation at home or being treated at the hospital.

There have been 446 patients to date who have been tested or are in the process of being tested. There are 205 who have tested negative; 63 confirmed cases; and 183 patient samples are either at the lab for testing or on their way to the lab, according to the PA Department of Health.

Delaware County Council Chairman Brian Zidek was in contact with U.S. Sen. Bob Casey Sunday afternoon and discussed increased testing for Delaware County residents and mitigation efforts.

Gov. Wolf expanded his mitigation and guidance efforts over the weekend to contain the virus, announcing he was closing the state’s 88 liquor stores.

At the daily coronavirus briefing  Sunday, Delaware County officials reiterated that Gov. Wolf is advising non-essential retail facilities should close for the next two weeks, including movie theaters, bars, shopping malls, hair salons and gyms. Restaurants should only offer take-out orders.

Delaware County is strongly urging business owners and residents to follow this guidance.

In response, PREIT, owners of the Springfield Mall, announced they would be closing their Delaware and Chester County properties, including the Springfield Mall.

“The health and well-being of our shopper and tenant community is our top priority.  With that in mind, we have made the difficult decision to heed the recommendation of state officials by closing our Delaware, Chester and Montgomery County malls,” said Joseph F. Coradino, CEO of PREIT.

Essential retail facilities such as pharmacies, food stores and their suppliers, and gas stations will remain open.

Delaware County will be working with the Commerce Center and other organizations and departments to request federal relief funding for businesses hurt by the new restrictions.

The Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development is offering working capital loans to businesses impacted by COVID-19. Information and resources will be posted here as it becomes available.

All schools in Pennsylvania will close for two weeks starting today, March 16.

Gov. Wolf also encouraged the suspension of large gatherings of 250 people or more.

The ongoing goal is to prevent the spread of the virus by limiting social outings and group activities, and by maintaining social distances of 3 to 6 feet from each other.

“This isn’t about the idea of ‘I would be OK if I got the virus and would recover.’ It’s now become the need to have community responsibility,” said Delaware County Council Chairman Brian Zidek. “If you contract the virus and spread it to your immediate family and 10 people, those people spread it to 10 more people…and so on. This is what we’re seeing in other countries. We have the opportunity to learn from other countries and do things differently and can mitigate the spread of the virus. But that doesn’t work if we’re not all taking measures.”

Council also reported that the GEO Group, which runs the County’s prison, received confirmation that a prison employee tested positive for COVID-19.

Twenty three prison employees in contact with the individual are in self-quarantine at home. ‘

Eleven inmates who also had contact are in quarantine in a separate unit of the prison. Those employees and inmates are being tested. None are showing symptoms of the virus.

Delaware County is dependent upon the Pennsylvania Department of Health to test, investigate, quarantine and monitor residents in Delaware County who have, or may have COVID-19.

If you have symptoms- you should call 911 or 1-877-PA-HEALTH.

Local Emergency Rooms are not testing for COVID-19. Residents should refrain from going to Emergency Rooms if they have symptoms and want to get tested for COVID-19.

Other updates:

• The Government Center will be closed to the public today. Residents can call government offices but will not be able to enter the building.
• The Delaware County Court of Common Pleas will be suspending all judicial operations  today, March 16, and Tuesday, March 17.  A Common Pleas Court Judge will be available at the County Courthouse during regular business hours to hear temporary protection from abuse applications today and tomorrow. The Delaware County Magisterial Courts will be available, but only to conduct preliminary criminal arraignments and review after-hours temporary protection from abuse requests.
• President Judge Kevin F. Kelly will file an application today with the Pennsylvania Supreme Court seeking authorization to declare a judicial emergency, which if allowed will access various additional authorities to further address this public health crisis and the court’s ability to continue to provide critically essential judicial services.
• The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission Chairman signed an emergency order prohibiting electric, natural gas, water, wastewater, telecommunication and steam utility terminations.  This means no Pennsylvania residents will have their utilities such as water, electric or gas shut off while Gov. Wolf’s moratorium is in place, except for a safety emergency.
• The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources announced that Ridley Creek State Park will be closed for 14 days, effective today, March 16 to help slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
• The Office of Commonwealth Libraries has instructed all public libraries to close for two weeks. All Delaware County libraries will close today, March 16.

Right now the best way to protect yourself is to take the same precautions you would to prevent the flu or common cold:

1. · Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze with your elbow to avoid touching your face;
2. Wash your hands often with soap and warm/hot water for at least 20 seconds;
3. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available;
4. Clean surfaces frequently, including countertops, light switches, cell phones, remotes, and other frequently touched items;
5. If you are feeling sick, stay home. Rest, take care of yourself and don’t spread the germs.

The County has created a website dedicated to information on the Coronavirus, including prevention, resources and a FAQ section with link to the PA Health Department and CDC.

Residents are encouraged to register for the DelcoAlert notification system. You can register here.

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