PHILADELPHIA – The Philadelphia Department of Public Health today announced 136 additional confirmed cases of COVID-19 novel coronavirus in Philadelphia. That brings the number of confirmed cases to 30,213.
The Department of Public Health confirmed 11 additional fatalities in Philadelphia. This brings the number of residents who have succumbed to the virus in Philadelphia to 1,691. Of the 1,691 total deaths, 859 (51%) were long-term care facility residents. Current and cumulative totals of both symptomatic and asymptomatic positive cases in Philadelphia prisons are now posted on the testing and data page of the City’s COVID-19 website.
PHLpreK Enrollment: PHLpreK, the City’s free, quality pre-K program, which funds seats at over 130 locations, is now enrolling 3- and 4-year-olds for the fall. Families can find a participating pre-K provider by visiting PHLpreK.org or calling 844-PHL-PREK (844-745-7735).
PHLpreK will enroll up to 3,300 students in the 2020-2021 school year, maintaining last year’s program size. Classes will begin in late August or early September 2020, depending on individual providers’ schedules.
In order to decrease the risk of COVID-19 for students, staff, and families, all PHLpreK providers will follow reopening guidance from the City of Philadelphia, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the state’s Office of Child Development and Early Learning. This guidance includes mask requirements, social distancing and containment strategies, and new cleaning protocols.
In addition, the Office of Children and Families is working with all PHLpreK providers to ensure that they have plans and policies in place to communicate with families and uphold all safety requirements, in accordance with health department guidelines.
Philadelphia Wears Masks: Health Commissioner Dr. Thomas Farley announced today that ongoing efforts to track the percentage of Philadelphians properly wearing masks in public has found that, for the first time since this effort started in early June, more than 75% of residents are keeping themselves and their neighbors safe. Health Department epidemiologists are currently viewing security cameras in SEPTA stations and outdoors at retail locations throughout Philadelphia. The epidemiologists are not tracking individuals, but are simply counting the number of people wearing masks in the camera’s views. The Health Department will continue to report on mask usage weekly on testing and data page of the City’s COVID-19 website.
Indoor Dining: Dr. Farley today reiterated that the City has not yet set a date for allowing indoor dining to resume. While it will not be before September 1, the resumption may come later. So restaurateurs can properly prepare, the City will announce by Friday, August 21 if September 1 will be the start date or if a further delay is necessary. That decision will be made by the Health Commissioner based on the status of the pandemic in the city and region.
Testing Site Map: A 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:
- City’s COVID-19 homepage: phila.gov/covid-19.
- COVID-19 resources translated into multiple languages.
- Greater Philadelphia Coronavirus Helpline: 1 (800) 722-7112.
- Residents can text COVIDPHL to 888-777 to get updates sent to their phones.
- Find out more about testing for COVID-19.
- Businesses with questions about reopening using the Department of Public Health’s guidelines should email business@phila.gov.
- The PHL COVID-19 Fund continues to solicit donations to aid nonprofits that are on the frontline of the pandemic.
Resources for Media:
- Recordings of COVID-19 briefings (Subtitles available in multiple languages).
- COVID-19 press releases.