PHILADELPHIA – The Philadelphia Department of Public Health today announced 169 additional presumptive confirmed cases of COVID-19 novel coronavirus in Philadelphia. That brings the number of confirmed cases to 806, 71 of whom are or have been hospitalized.
The Health Department confirmed one additional fatality in Philadelphia, bringing the number of residents who have succumbed to the virus to four. This individual was a male, over 100 years of age, with underlying medical conditions, and who was a resident of a Philadelphia nursing home.
The Community Based Testing Site at Citizens Bank Park tested 188 individuals yesterday. The site is open today from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., weather permitting. If early closure of the site is necessary, it will be announced on the Philadelphia Department of Public Health’s Twitter page @PHLPublicHealth and through the COVIDPHL text alert system.
Expanded Food Access
The City also announced today its commitment to providing free food to residents who have been impacted by the COVID-19 crisis through community food sites.
Beginning Monday, March 30, residents can pick up a box of food (one box per household) on Mondays and Thursdays between 10 a.m. and noon at sites throughout the city. This effort is a partnership with the community-based sites, as well as Philabundance and Share Food Program.
Over the past week, the City has worked with partners to stand up a new food distribution warehouse, generously provided rent-free by Alliance HSP. The new warehouse greatly expands distribution capacity to City food hubs.
Deputy Mayor Cynthia Figueroa said, “Providing this service to Philadelphians is critical at a time when many so many people find themselves in a difficult situation. This partnership is another proud Philly moment, reflecting a committed, caring partnership that is dedicated to making sure our neighbors in every part of the City have access to food during these unprecedented times.”
Click here for a video announcement from Deputy Mayor Cynthia Figueroa regarding the new food sites. (The announcement is also recorded in SPANISH). Media are encouraged to use the audio or video file as needed. PSA copy in English and Spanish is also available HERE.
The following sites will begin to offer food on Monday, March 30 from 10 a.m. to noon:
| Food site | Address (Zip) |
| People’s Emergency Center | 3750 Lancaster Ave. (19104) |
| Upper Room Baptist Church | 7236 Ogontz Ave. (19138) |
| Opportunity, Inc. | 5900 Lansdowne Ave. (19151) |
| Christ Church South Philly | 229 Moore St. (19148) |
| Mitchell Elementary School | 5500 Kingsessing Ave. (19143) |
| Resurgence Church | 1738 West Atlantic St. (19140) |
| West Kensington Ministry | 2140 N Hancock St. (19122) |
| Dare to Imagine Church | 6610 Anderson St. (19119) |
| Shekinah SDA | 531 Chew Ave. (19120) |
| Association of Former Gang Members | 1631 W Susquehanna Ave. (19121) |
| Keep the Faith Ministries | 1906 Harrison St. (19124) |
| Parkside Association | 1719 N. 52nd St. (19131) |
| Richard and Friends | 1916 E Venango St. (19134) |
| Triumph Baptist Church | 1648 W Hunting Park Ave. |
| Giving Heart Ministries | 6506 Elmwood Ave. (19142) |
| SEAMAAC | 1711 S Broad St. (19148) |
| Overbrook West Neighbors (OWN) | 5925 Lancaster Ave. (19151) |
| Iglesia Cristiana Avivamiento | 5500 Tabor Rd. (19120) |
| Mizpah SDA | 4355 Paul St. (19124) |
| Christian Compassion CDC | 6150 Cedar Ave. (19143) |
The City plans to announce additional food distribution sites next week.
In addition, the City, School District, and partners will continue to operate student meal sites at over 80 locations citywide. Just this week, 222,469 meals were distributed to students through this collaborative effort.
A full list and interactive map of food sites and student meal sites are available on the City’s website.
“Philabundance is proud to partner with the City of Philadelphia and Share Food Program to help feed those in need during this unprecedented health emergency,” said Stacey Behm, Senior VP, Chief Programs Officer at Philabundance.
“At Share Food we believe these unprecedented times call for bold and creative solutions to provide food to as many people as possible. We are proud to work with the City and our partners to serve those in need,” said George Matysik, Executive Director of Share Food Program.
People are encouraged to continue making contributions to Philabundance and SHARE, including volunteering their time to distribute food. Go to sharefoodprogram.org philabundance.org, or serve.volunteermatch.org to learn more.
COVID-19 Resources
- City’s COVID-19 homepage: phila.gov/covid-19.
- COVID-19 resources translated in multiple languages.
- Greater Philadelphia Coronavirus Helpline: 1 (800) 722-7112.
- Residents can text COVIDPHL to 888-777 to get updates sent to their phones.
- Citizens Bank Community-Based Testing Site is operational daily pending inclement weather. Find out more about testing for COVID-19.
- Updates and guidance for Philadelphia employees and employers.
- Information and resources for workers.
- The PHL COVID-19 Fund continues to solicit donations to aid nonprofits that are on the frontline of the pandemic.
- For Businesses:
- Business owners or managers who have questions about the restrictions in the City’s latest Business Activity and Stay at Home Order can email vbeoc@phila.gov.
- L&I guidance on construction work following City Business Activity and Stay at Home Order.
- The City is extending filing and payment dates for Real Estate and some business taxes.
- Applications for the Philadelphia COVID-19 Small Business Relief Fund are now being accepted. Additional resources for businesses can be found here.
Resources for Media:
- Recordings of COVID-19 daily briefings (Subtitles available in multiple languages).
- COVID-19 press releases.