Today the Pennsylvania Department of Health announced 37 additional positive cases of COVID-19 in the state. There are five new cases in Delaware County, bringing the total number of cases in the county to 14. The total number of cases in the state is 133. Sadly, this afternoon Governor Wolf confirmed the state’s first COVID-19-related death. The person was an adult from Northampton County.
Delaware County Council, the County’s Department of Emergency Services and the County’s Department of Intercommunity Health have been coordinating with the Pennsylvania Department of Health and local hospitals to offer drive-through COVID-19 testing at local hospitals and at additional locations throughout the County.
Main Line Health now has drive-through COVID-19 testing at their Newtown Square and Radnor locations. A physician referral is required to assure clinician triage and appropriate testing. Residents must also make an appointment. Main Line Health’s goal is to preserve access to their Emergency Departments for patients that require that level of care. Main Line Health is participating in discussions with regional partners including the Pennsylvania Department of Health regarding broader testing of less ill symptomatic patients. Currently, Main Line Health has no plans to test asymptomatic patients.
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 when the logistics are finalized. Residents must have a Doctor’s referral and be in their healthcare network.
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.”
Residents can learn more and sign up here: www.delcocitizencorps.com
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 9am, noon, 3pm and 9pm EST.
You can join directly here: unityrecovery.zoom.us/my/allrecovery
In an effort to keep our community safe, Acme Markets has reserved 7am-9am, Monday - Friday as a time that our community's senior citizens and other at-risk populations, such as pregnant women or those with compromised immune systems, can shop. They are asking the public to allow only senior citizens and other at-risk populations to shop during this time.
During the March 18 public meeting, Delaware County Council unanimously voted to extend the deadline to qualify for a discount for the payment of County property taxes. The new deadline to has been extended to April 30, 2020. Note- this extension only pertains to County taxes.
Another reminder--
Right now the best way to protect yourself is to take the same precautions you would to prevent the flu or common cold:
If you have symptoms of COVID-19, you are asked to call the State Health Department at 1-877-PA-HEALTH.
Right now, the best way to protect yourself is to take the same precautions you would to prevent the flu or common cold:
If you have symptoms of COVID-19, you are asked to call the State Health Department at 1-877-PA-HEALTH or 911.
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.
The website is: www.delcopa.gov/ich/resources/coronavirus.html
Residents are encouraged to register for the DelcoAlert notification system which alerts residents of updates and emergencies. You can register here: www.delcopa.gov/delcoalert/delcoalert.html