PHILADELPHIA – The Philadelphia Department of Public Health today announced 385 additional confirmed cases of COVID-19 novel coronavirus in Philadelphia. That brings the number of confirmed cases to 43,671. In addition, the Department of Public Health also announced 14 new probable cases from rapid antigen tests.
The Department of Public Health confirmed one additional fatality in Philadelphia. This brings the number of residents who have succumbed to the virus in Philadelphia to 1,868. Of the 1,868 total deaths, 912 (49%) were long-term care facility residents.
Contact Tracing Update (Week Ending 10/24): Of 1,873 cases reported and not managed by partner organizations: 45 percent were reached and agreed to participate; 12 percent did not have a phone; 26 percent were unable to be reached; 3 percent refused; and 14 percent of cases were not attempted due to caseload. Of the contacts named, 67 percent were reached and agreed to quarantine.
COVID-19 Safety at Polling Places: The City and Philadelphia County Board of Elections today shared additional information around COVID-19 safety precautions and more to help residents prepare for Election Day on Tuesday, November 3. The COVID-19 safety precautions released for polling places on Election Day are consistent with those established by the Philadelphia Department of Public Health for other activities. The press release for other election-related updates can be viewed here.
Impact Report on Philadelphia COVID-19 Small Business Relief Fund: The City of Philadelphia and PIDC today released a report analyzing the impact of the Philadelphia COVID-19 Small Business Relief Fund, which was designed to support Philadelphia small businesses, help maintain payroll obligations, and preserve jobs impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of 2,083 small businesses were selected to receive $13.3 million from the Philadelphia COVID-19 Small Business Relief Fund. The Impact Report is based on information collected through a survey sent in July to business owners who received grants or loans from the Relief Fund. A total of 1,196 business owners responded to the survey, representing a 58 percent response rate.
The survey found that 79 percent of businesses reported that they were open and operating. Most business owners suffered their greatest revenue loss in April 2020. In July, more than half of the business owners that received funding from the Relief Fund were still only earning between 0 and 50 percent of their pre-COVID-19 average monthly revenue. Regarding employment, 49 percent of the businesses had no change in the number of full-time employees, while 45 percent reported a decrease in the number of full-time employees and six percent reported an increase in full-time employees. The majority of businesses who received funding from the Relief Fund used the money to support payroll and rent.
More information, including data on the demographic and geographic breakdown of recipients, can be found in an Initial Findings report that was published in June 2020; it includes a map of approvals by zip code.
Approved Weekend Street Closures for Outdoor Dining (October 29-November 1): 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. Note that some organizations may choose not to carry out approved closures this weekend if protest activity continues.
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.