Delaware County is reporting five new cases of COVID-19 as of Wednesday, March 18, bringing the county’s total to 14.

The state had 37 additional cases, including its first coronavirus-related fatality. Total number of cases in the state now stands at 133, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Health.

Gov. Wolf announced the patient who died was an adult from Northampton County.

In other developments:

• Delaware County officials have been coordinating with hospitals and the Pennsylvania Department of Health on a plan to offer drive-thru COVID-19 testing  at local hospitals throughout the county.
• Main Line Health now has drive-thru COVID-19 testing by appointment at their Newtown Square and Radnor locations. A physician referral is required to assure clinician triage and appropriate testing.

Main Line Health is participating in discussions with regional partners, including the Pennsylvania Department of Health, regarding broader testing of less ill patients with symptoms. Main Line Health has no plans to test patients with no symptoms.

• Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital, located in Darby, is also offering mobile testing for patients of the hospital or the hospital’s physicians.  At this time, only those Mercy Fitzgerald patients who have scheduled an appointment and have a prescription may receive a screening through this mobile screening site.
• Crozer-Keystone Health System, which operates Crozer Chester Medical Center, Delaware County Memorial Hospital, Springfield Hospital and Taylor Hospital, is working to offer drive-through COVID-19 testing as well. The locations and more details will be released once details are finalized. Residents must have a doctor’s referral and be in their healthcare network.

Citizen Corps

Delaware County’s Citizen Corps is a critical component to the County’s emergency response to the COVID-19 pandemic.  The all-volunteer organization is vital to ensuring our residents are protected.

There is an immediate need for volunteers to staff call centers and support screenings, testing, and logistics operations in response to the COVID-19.

“Many people in the community are asking how they can help,” said Ed Kline, in the Special Operations Unit of the County’s Department of Emergency Services. “Right now, residents can do the greatest good for the greatest number by volunteering with the Citizen Corps of Delaware County.”

Learn more and sign up here.

Substance use recovery support

As the nation adheres to social distancing to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, there may be less access to in-person recovery support meetings.

WEconnect and Unity Recovery have partnered together to offer four daily online recovery meetings to anyone in the world.

Meetings will follow an open format and are available to anyone in or seeking recovery. Meetings are held seven days a week at 9 a.m., noon, 3 p.m. and 9 p.m. EST.

You can join directly here.

Safe shopping 

In an effort to keep our community safe, Acme Markets has reserved 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. Monday through Friday as a time when senior citizens and other at-risk populations, such as pregnant women or those with a compromised immune system, can shop.

They are asking the public to allow only senior citizens and other at-risk populations to shop during this time.

County property tax 

The payment deadline of the discounted rate for the county tax has been extended to April 30, 2020. Delaware County Council March 18 unanimously voted to extend the deadline to April 30 qualify for a discount for the payment of County property taxes. This extension only pertains to County taxes.

Health

• If you have symptoms of COVID-19, you are asked to call the State Health Department at 1-877-PA-HEALTH.
• The state Department of Health has authorized Chester County to take the lead on the public health response, recovery and mitigation regarding COVID-19 for Delaware County, since Delaware County has no health department of its own.

A joint press conference announcing the decision will take place tomorrow, March 19, 11 a.m., with Delaware County and Chester County officials at the Chester County Court House in West Chester.  The briefing will be live streamed here.

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

–Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze with your elbow to avoid touching your face;

–Wash your hands often with soap and warm/hot water for at least 20 seconds

–Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available

–Clean surfaces frequently, including countertops, light switches, cell phones, remotes, and other frequently touched items.

• 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 which alerts residents of updates and emergencies. You can register here.

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