A timeline of some of the most significant events and moments related to coronavirus (COVID-19) in Delaware and the actions the state has taken to date to prevent its spread since the first positive case of the virus was reported on March 11:
March 11: The Delaware Division of Public Health announces confirmation of the state’s first presumptive positive case of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The case involves a New Castle County man over the age of 50 who is associated with the University of Delaware community.
March 12: The Delaware Division of Public Health announces three additional presumptive positive cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). All three individuals are under the age of 30 and are associated with the University of Delaware community. The individuals are not severely ill and are currently self-isolated at home. The individuals were exposed to the same confirmed case of COVID-19 in another state as the first Delaware case.
Also on this day, Gov. John Carney issues a State of Emergency declaration to prepare for the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19). The State of Emergency directs the Delaware Emergency Management Agency and the Delaware Department of Health & Social Services’ Division of Public Health to mobilize state agency resources to assist with Delaware’s response to the virus. The declaration becomes effective at 8 a.m. on Friday, March 13, 2020. The emergency declaration also:
- Requires the Delaware National Guard to take precautionary and responsive actions to assist with Delaware’s response to the coronavirus;
- Advises event organizers in Delaware to cancel non-essential public gatherings of 100 people or more, to prevent community spread of coronavirus;
- Allows the State of Delaware to conduct public meetings electronically to prevent unnecessary public gatherings;
Prohibits price gouging, or an excessive price increase of goods or services, during the coronavirus outbreak.
Additionally, DHSS recommends that all Delaware nursing homes, long-term care facilities and adult day-care centers temporarily end visitation as a way to reduce the risk of residents and clients contracting COVID-19. In response to growing concerns about the coronavirus pandemic, House Speaker Pete Schwartzkopf and Senate President Pro Tempore David McBride announce that the Delaware General Assembly is postponing next week’s legislative session.
March 13: Delaware Gov. John Carney's declaration of a State of Emergency goes into effect at 8 a.m. this day (see March 12 for details about what the declaration includes). Also, Carney directs all Delaware public schools to close for two weeks to allow for better preparations to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The news comes after Delaware reaches a total of four presumptive positive cases of COVID-19.
March 14: The Delaware Division of Public Health announces two more presumptive positive cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), bringing the total number of cases to six. The two individuals are associated with the University of Delaware community, and are linked to the initial presumptive positive cases. Gov. John Carney authorizes all meetings of public bodies to be conducted electronically until further notice.
March 15: The Delaware Division of Public Health two more positive cases of coronavirus (COVID-19). The first case involves a New Castle County woman under the age of 30 and the second involves at New Castle County woman over the age of 50. This brings to eight the total number of positive cases of COVID-19 in the First State.
March 16: The Delaware Department of Education receives a waiver from the federal government to allow school nutrition programs to provide meals to students during the closure. The Delaware Forest Services closes all campsites at Redden and Blackbird state forests until further notice.
March 17: The Delaware Division of Public Health announces eight additional positive cases of (COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 16. All public facing buildings that deliver various services go cashless across the state, including toll plazas and all Division of Motor Vehicle locations.
March 18: The Delaware Division of Public Health announces nine additional positive COVID-19 cases in the state, bringing to 26 the total number of laboratory-confirmed cases in all three counties since March 11. In response to ongoing concerns about the coronavirus pandemic, House Speaker Pete Schwartzkopf and Senate President Pro Tempore David McBride announce that the Delaware General Assembly is postponing legislative session until further notice. DART First State begins to operate on a reduced service schedule until further notice.
March 21: The Delaware Division of Public Health announces six additional positive COVID-19 cases in the state. This brings to 45 the total number of laboratory confirmed cases in the state since March 11. Of the Delawareans diagnosed with COVID-19, 32 are from New Castle County, five are from Kent County, and eight are from Sussex County.
March 22: The Delaware Division of Public Health there are 56 total number of laboratory confirmed cases in the state since March 11. This includes 31 additional cases reported on this day.
March 23: The Delaware Division of Public Health announces there are 87 total laboratory-confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the state since March 11. This includes 31 additional cases since the day before.
- Gov. John Carney orders all Delaware schools to remain closed through at least Friday, May 15 to fight the spread of coronavirus.
- All four DMV locations go to kiosk, drive-through and emergency appointment only.
March 24: The Delaware Division of Public Health announces an additional 17 positive cases of COVID-19 in the state, bringing to 104 the total number of laboratory-confirmed cases in the state since March 11.
Gov. John Carney orders all non-essential businesses to close by 8 a.m. on this day and for all Delawareans to stay home whenever possible to help fight the spread of COVID-19. Additionally:
- All Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs museums are closed and their programs postponed until further notice.
- DNREC closes all of its Delaware State Park camprounds and playgrounds and cancels campground reservations scheduled through May 15.
- In consultation with the Delaware Department of Insurance, Gov. John Carney issues a sixth modification to the state of emergency that requires that insurers cease cancellations or nonrenewals of insurance policies due to nonpayment throughout the duration of the declared Delaware State of Emergency for those residents and business owners who are experiencing a loss of income.
March 25: The Delaware Division of Public Health announces an additional 15 positive cases of COVID-19 in the state, bringing to 119 the total number of laboratory-confirmed cases in the state since March 11. Of the Delawareans diagnosed with COVID-19, 79 are from New Castle County, 14 are from Kent County, and 26 are from Sussex County. DPH also announces that four individuals who tested positive for COVID-19 since March 11, 2020, have fully recovered from their illness. Of the 119 cases, 58 are male and 61 are female. The individuals range in age from 1 to 90. Fourteen individuals are currently hospitalized; seven are critically ill. The source of exposure for many of these positive cases is unknown, which indicates community spread of the virus is occurring in the state.
March 26: The Delaware Department of Health and Social Services announces the state's first two deaths from COVID-19. The first one involved a 66-year-old Sussex County man who died at an out-of-state hospital. The second fatality involved an 86-year-old man who lived at the Little Sisters of the Poor Jeanne Jugan Residence in Newark. He had underlying medical conditions. His death also marks the first outbreak of positive cases in a long-term care facility in Delaware.
