MEDIA – Citing hospitals diverting patients and long wait times in emergency rooms, Delaware County Council pleaded with the public to follow the protocols – wear a mask, socially distance and wash hands frequently, at Friday afternoon’s press update on the pandemic.
The county reported a positivity rate of 12.7 percent with 318 cases per 100,000 for the past week, as compared to 149.3 cases per 100,000 a month ago, when the county had a 6.5 percent positivity rate.
The total number of deaths in the county due to COVID-19 are 873 and there are 21,290 positive cases so far.
“We are going down a road we feared we may go down earlier this fall,” said Council Chairman Brian Zidek. “Higher numbers, more deaths, and overwhelming our health care systems and first responders.”
Council member Elaine Schaefer noted the dismal affect the ongoing pandemic is having on businesses.
“There is no way around it, we know you are suffering,” said Schaefer, expressing frustration with those who continue to ignore the safety precautions.
“To the residents who aren’t following the guidance, please don’t jeopardize our businesses and possibly schools staying open,” said Schaefer. ”Our decisions affect our whole community. We all need to do the right thing. This doesn’t work if 50 percent are being responsible and the other 50 percent are going about their lives as though we are not in the midst of a pandemic.”
Councilman Kevin Madden said the county is sticking with the mitigation measures the council approved on November 18, which went into effect November 23 and will remain in place until January 2, 2021:
- Individuals in bars, restaurants and other retail food establishments must wear masks, except when actually eating or drinking.
- Retail food establishments must limit the number of individuals at a table to four.
- Events or gatherings of more than 10 people indoors are prohibited.
“These regulations do apply to funeral homes,” said Madden.
Council Vice-Chair Dr. Monica Taylor reminded residents that drive-thru testing will be available next week at the Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital in Darby and the U.S. Army Reserve in Upland, for insured and uninsured residents over the age of 12.
If you have COVID-19 symptoms or were exposed to someone who had it, or are considered a critical/essential worker, please pre-register at www.chesco.org/4562/Delco-Testing to receive a test.
If you have health insurance, please bring your insurance card to the test site. However, there are no out-of-pocket costs or co-pays for COVID-19 testing. Masks or face coverings must be worn. Test results typically take between 4-7 days.
Free drive-thru flu shots are being offered this month as well in Delaware County.
The county announced the following flu-shot clinics:
- Monday, 12/14 from 1pm to 3:30pm at 1001 Baltimore Pike in Springfield (back of shopping center)
- Wednesdays (129, 12/16 and 12/23) from 1pm to 3pm at the Medical Office Building, 1501 Lansdowne Avenue, Darby (enter driveway by the Franklin Mint Federal Credit Union)
- Fridays (12/11, 12/18) from 1pm to 3pm at 925 Providence Road, Secane (shopping center for CVS, Price Rite and the U.S. Post Office).
And as this pandemic continues to bleed out the financial resources of everyone, the county is hosting a food drive. There have been 12 food drives since May in Delaware County. One scheduled for this Saturday was cancelled due to the predicted rain The new date is Dec. 12.
“Many residents are struggling and there are less donation and collection events and drives due to the pandemic,” said county spokeswoman Adrienne Marofsky. “We are urging residents to donate if they can.”
Canned goods like soups and stews, rice, peanut butter, tuna fish; dry goods like paper towels and toilet paper and personal care items such as hand sanitizers, sanitising wipes, baby wipes, deodorant and toothpaste, are needed. Donations will be distributed to food pantries across the county.
On December 12, donations will be welcomed at:
- 9am to 11:30 am – Haverford Township Municipal Building (1014 Darby Rd Havertown, PA)
- 1pm to 3:30 pm – Radnor Police Department (301 Iven Avenue, Wayne, PA)
