Del. health officials announce testing recommendations for unvaccinated individuals

DOVER, Del. – Governor Carney, along with the Delaware Division of Public Health and Delaware Emergency Management Agency, announced updates on COVID-19 in the state on Tuesday.

Due to the variants of the virus that causes COVID-19 currently circulating in the U.S., including the Delta variant, the Division of Public Health has announced updated guidance for unvaccinated people. It is recommended that unvaccinated persons get tested once a week, get tested 5 to 7 days after being exposed to someone with COVID, isolate at home immediately if they develop symptoms, and quarantine immediately if they are exposed to someone with COVID-19.

The CDC recommends fully vaccinated individuals get tested 3 to 5 days after being exposed to someone with COVID and says they do not need to quarantine after exposure. The CDC also recommends that anyone with any signs or symptoms of the virus get tested regardless of vaccination status or prior infection.

Infections that do occur among vaccinated people tend to be mild. With COVID-19 cases rising across the state and nation, and the majority of these cases occurring among unvaccinated people, Governor Carney and state health officials are echoing the CDC’s urgent call to get vaccinated against the virus.

“While vaccination is the best way to put an end to this pandemic, routine COVID-19 testing remains key for those who have not yet taken that step, or who are unable to be vaccinated,” said Governor Carney. “Our cases are increasing, and we need to do all we can to catch any potential surges as early as possible so we can do contact tracing and stop the spread of the virus immediately.”