Gov. Carney announces significant expansion of statewide COVID-19 testing

WILMINGTON, Del. – Governor John Carney announced a significant expansion of Delaware’s statewide COVID-19 testing program as the state moves towards Phase 1 of economic reopening.

We’re told this new testing program will allow the State of Delaware to conduct 80,000 tests monthly, which is more than four times the current level of testing statewide. Delaware has purchased 200,000 saliva-based testing from Los Angeles based testing company Curative, which has supplied tests to Los Angeles and Atlanta. The tests are scheduled to start arriving in Delaware today.

Delaware will prioritize testing under the new statewide program for any symptomatic individual, anyone with known exposure to COVID-19, vulnerable Delaware populations, including elderly Delawareans and members of low-income communities, and certain front-line essential workers.

Under the new statewide testing program, Delaware plans to supply partner organizations with testing supplies to more effectively reach citizens where they need and can easily access tests. This includes primary care physicians, Federally Qualified Health Centers, pharmacies, and long term care facilities.

This new testing strategy will be implemented with a robust contact tracing program to isolate infected individuals and their close contacts. Officials say they will released details of Delaware’s contact tracing program early next week, and will include details on hiring a dedicated workforce to help Delawareans who are COVID-19 positive to safely self-isolate.