PHILADELPHIA – The Philadelphia Department of Public Health today announced 425 additional presumptive confirmed cases of COVID-19 novel coronavirus in Philadelphia. That brings the cumulative number of confirmed cases counted by the Health Department since March 10 to 2,100.

The Health Department confirmed two additional fatalities in Philadelphia. This brings the number of residents who have succumbed to the virus in Philadelphia to 17.

Health Commissioner Dr. Thomas Farley said the City is observing clusters of confirmed cases in certain types of group settings, including nursing homes, behavioral health facilities, and the Philadelphia Department of Prisons (PDP). PDP currently has 20 confirmed positive cases.

“The City has been working closely with providers on protocols to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 within these facilities, to ensure proper treatment for infected residents, and to safeguard other residents,” said Dr. Farley. “Many of these facilities are also receiving direction from the State Department of Health. The clusters we’re seeing are evidence that despite these thorough and proactive efforts, halting the spread of the virus is a growing challenge.”

Mayor Kenney today signed City Council Ordinance #200258, following unanimous final approval earlier today by Council. The measure authorizes $85.4 million dollars to aid the City’s response to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. $85 million is appropriated to the Managing Director’s Office, with the remaining $400,000 allocated to City Council.

“We thank City Council members for their swift consideration and approval of this transfer ordinance,” said Mayor Kenney. “Making these funds available is critical to protecting the health of Philadelphians, and our Administration will continue to collaborate with Council to manage this difficult situation.”

“These are extraordinary times,” said Council President Darrell L. Clarke. “The crisis we are facing brought on by the coronavirus pandemic is unprecedented. Every part of our economy is going to feel the impact of these months of sheltering-in-place. Just as the stimulus plan at the federal level is believed to be the first of many steps on a long road to our nation’s recovery, what Council voted on and approved today is just the beginning of what we will need to do to help our residents, small businesses, and other organizations rebuild after this pandemic.”

This funding allows the City to support its health care response to COVID-19. Significant, unplanned expenses for testing sites and supplies, quarantine locations, and protective equipment and supplies for frontline staff have been incurred to date, and are expected to continue. The funding will also enable the City to maintain core services that Philadelphians, particularly our most vulnerable residents, rely upon during this unprecedented time while minimizing the exposure of the City workforce to the virus.

Testing Sites: The Department of Public Health has opened a second testing site in addition to the drive-through site established earlier in the parking lot of Citizens Bank Park. The new site is open only for those who are over the age of 50 and are displaying symptoms consistent with COVID-19 coronavirus, as well as health care workers who are displaying symptoms consistent with COVID-19 coronavirus. The site is available by appointment only and a referral is required. Those who meet the criteria and want a test can call (267) 491-5870 to obtain a referral.

The Streets Department is currently one day behind and will be working into this weekend to make sure all trash and recycling are collected. Residents should continue to set out their trash on their normal collection day. If trash or recycling does not get picked up, residents should leave it out in its normal location for pickup.

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