The Philadelphia Department of Public Health today announced 225 additional confirmed cases of COVID-19 novel coronavirus in Philadelphia. That brings the number of confirmed cases to 38,208. In addition, the Department of Public Health also announced 27 new probable cases from rapid antigen tests.

The Department of Public Health confirmed no additional fatalities in Philadelphia. The number of residents who have succumbed to the virus in Philadelphia remains at 1,817. Of the 1,817 total deaths, 896 (49%) were long-term care facility residents. 

Contact Tracing Update (Week Ending 10/3): Of 863 cases reported and not managed by partner organizations: 61 percent were reached and agreed to participate; 10 percent did not have a phone; 19 percent were unable to be reached; 2 percent refused; and 5 percent of cases were closed because of a long delay from test to initial report. Of the contacts named, 75 percent were reached and agreed to quarantine.

National Depression Screening Day: Today, October 8, is National Depression Screening Day—an opportunity to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and educate Philadelphians about overall mental wellness. Depression does not discriminate. People of all ages, ethnicities, and socioeconomic backgrounds experience depression. Too often, people are reluctant to seek help, and they suffer in silence alone.

This year, especially—as COVID-19 has left us experiencing isolation and anxiety about our physical well-being, our financial stability, and our emotional health—the City has stepped up efforts to help residents better understand their mental health and to put those in need into contact with the services available to help and support them.

Support and treatment begin with understanding. Philadelphians are encouraged to take a moment to understand their mental and emotional health today with a quick, free, anonymous check-up at healthymindsphilly.org/screening. And please visit the MindPHLtogether.com website to learn more about the FREE mental health services offered to those in need. Help is out there. You are not alone.

Approved Weekend Street Closures for Outdoor Dining (October 8-11): In June, the City launched four new options for restaurants to operate outdoor dining in order to earn much needed revenue. These new options aim to support businesses during the city’s green phase of reopening from the COVID-19 pandemic. To see this weekend’s approved street closures, view this blog. Vehicular traffic should avoid these streets.

Fire Prevention Week and Citywide Fire Drill: The Philadelphia Fire Department responds to several structure fires each day, and members put themselves in danger to save lives and protect property. But fire is everyone’s fight—and residents can help protect their homes and their loved ones. Cooking is the most common cause of home fires and home fire injuries in the United States. That’s why the theme for Fire Prevention Week (October 4-10) is “Serve up fire safety in the kitchen!” Check out the Fire Department’s blog for tips on cooking safely, and please make sure you have working smoke alarms and a home escape plan:

  • Test your smoke alarms regularly. Your alarms should have 10-year, sealed, lithium-ion batteries, and you should have one on each floor of your house—including the basement. If your alarm uses a 9-volt battery, please replace the entire alarm with a model that has a 10-year battery. If you need smoke alarms, request them through Philly311 and the Fire Department will install them for free.
  • Today, October 8, at 7:30 p.m., fire apparatus sirens will sound throughout the city to indicate the start of the citywide fire drill. All Philadelphians are urged to participate by testing their home escape plans. Residents should know two ways out of their home in case of an emergency, and it should take less than two minutes for everyone to get outside to a predetermined meeting place. Don’t forget your pets!

Daily Trash and Recycling Update: Residents can check the daily trash and recycling update blog post to see the current status of trash and recycling collections.

  • Trash: On schedule, residents should put out trash on their regular collection day.
  • Recycling: On schedule, residents should put out recycling on their regular collection day.

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:

Resources for Media:

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