PHILADELPHIA – The Philadelphia Department of Public Health today announced 126 additional confirmed cases of COVID-19 novel coronavirus in Philadelphia. That brings the number of confirmed cases to 23,407.

Health Commissioner Dr. Thomas Farley said, “Despite some test sites shutting down because of civil unrest, we have found that the number of test results received daily has not decreased substantially. From Saturday, May 30 through Wednesday, June 3, an average of 1,562 Philadelphians were tested each day, compared to 1,771 during the previous Saturday through Wednesday. I believe that the number of new cases is truly continuing to drop as Philadelphians follow the guidance that we’ve been espousing: stay at home if you can, wear a mask if you’re around others, stay six feet away from others, and wash your hands frequently.”

The Department of Public Health noted continued progress in congregate settings, including nursing homes and the Department of Prisons. No additional symptomatic incarcerated individuals have tested positive. Two hundred twenty-three cases among asymptomatic individuals have been confirmed through universal testing in the prisons. The total number of positive cases in the prisons is 224.

The Department of Public Health confirmed 17 additional fatalities in Philadelphia. This brings the number of residents who have succumbed to the virus in Philadelphia to 1,411. Of the 1,394 total deaths, 744 (53%) were long-term care facility residents.

The Department of Public Health reports 343 patients with COVID-19 are currently being treated in Philadelphia hospitals, with a total of 674 people hospitalized in the region (including Philadelphia).

Results of Universal Testing in Prisons: The City announced today that successful mitigation of COVID-19 will allow the Philadelphia Department of Prisons (PDP) to enter the Yellow Phase starting today, June 5, 2020. The move to Yellow in the jails comes after completion of testing of the entire prison population. To date, 3,855 asymptomatic individuals have been tested at PDP facilities. Test results found that 223 of these asymptomatic incarcerated individuals tested positive—6 percent of the population. By comparison, prison systems in other major municipalities, such as Montgomery County, Pa. and the state of Ohio, had double-digit percentages of asymptomatic inmates testing positive. To read the full results, click here.

Results on Universal Testing at the PJJSC: The Philadelphia Juvenile Justice Services Center has completed testing all youth at the facility. To date, 170 youth were tested and five were positive of COVID-19. New admits will continue to be tested upon arrival.

List of Open Pharmacies: Due to ongoing demonstrations and temporary business closures, some residents are finding it harder to fill their prescriptions. The Department of Public Health has compiled a list of open pharmacies and free/low-cost prescription delivery options for residents. The post also provides instructions on how to fill a prescription when local pharmacies might be closed.

Future COVID-19 Briefings: In light of the fluid situation with ongoing protests in Philadelphia, COVID-19 briefings will not be held on a standing schedule. Briefings will take place as needed. The City will issue a media advisory the night before a scheduled COVID-19 briefing.

Safer at Home (Yellow Phase): Philadelphia entered the Yellow Phase of reopening today. The City’s Safer at Home plan and executive order outlines how Philadelphia will begin to reopen for business. The Philadelphia Department of Public Health continues to advise residents that they are “safer at home,” and should only leave to engage in essential activities.

Lower-risk activities permitted to operate within certain parameters during the Safer-at-Home Order (Yellow Phase) include:

  • Restaurants (including food trucks and walk-up ordering; no dine-in service; no outdoor dining until June 12)
  • Retail businesses (curbside and delivery are strongly encouraged)
  • Child care centers
  • Outdoor youth day camps and recreation
  • Outdoor parks-related amenities
  • Office-based businesses (telework still required whenever feasible)
  • Consumer banking
  • Automobile sales
  • Real estate activities
  • Manufacturing
  • Warehouse operations

Continued Precautions: As they restart, businesses will be required by the Safer-at-Home Order to follow a safety checklist of operations called “Safe Mode” to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Additional recommendations for different types of businesses and activities are detailed in a separate set of industry-specific guidelines available here.

Outdoor Dining: Outdoor dining will be able to resume for businesses that are currently licensed for such activities beginning June 12, under specific guidance that is still being developed by the City and within their existing footprint. That guidance and an application process to expand opportunities for businesses not currently licensed for outdoor dining will be made available.

City Government Operations: The City will implement a “Safe Return to Work” program as it brings employees back to work in a phased manner, based on a prioritized schedule that aligns with City and State guidelines while minimizing the potential for the spread of COVID-19 in the workplace. Starting Monday, June 8, public-facing City services will commence in phases.

Virtual Graduation: With the COVID-19 pandemic limiting travel and preventing large gatherings in the Philadelphia region, the School District of Philadelphia will hold a virtual graduation ceremony for members of the Class of 2020 on Tuesday, June 9. The ceremony will feature student performances, remarks from Superintendent William R. Hite, Jr., Ed.D., Mayor Jim Kenney, and a keynote address from two-time Super Bowl champion and former Philadelphia Eagles Malcolm Jenkins.

People are encouraged to view the live stream via the District’s  website, www.philasd.org, as well as the District’s education channel, PSTV via Comcast Xfinity Channel 52 and Verizon Fios Channel 20.  The live stream will begin at 11 a.m.

New Guidance for COVID-19 Testing for Protestors: Because of the large number of people that have participated in protest activities in Philadelphia, the Department of Public Health believes that there may be an increased likelihood that participants may have been exposed to COVID-19. Those who were at or near a protest—even if they wore a mask—should follow these recommendations to combat the spread of the virus:

  • Monitor for symptoms like new-onset fever, cough, or shortness of breath for fourteen days.
  • Try to stay away from other people for fourteen days; if you can’t stay at home, be sure to wear a mask properly and try to stay at least six feet from others.
  • Get tested for COVID-19 seven days after having been in a crowd; those seeking testing do NOT need to identify that they were at a protest but instead should say they were near someone who may have had COVID-19.

Testing Site Map: A new testing site finder at phila.gov/testing helps people find a free COVID-19 test in Philadelphia. Anyone can search for a site by address, click on a map location for specific site information, and filter by day of week and by drive-thru or walk-up.

COVID-19 Resources:

Resources for Media:

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