PHILADELPHIA – The Philadelphia Department of Public Health today announced 1,629 additional confirmed cases of COVID-19 novel coronavirus in Philadelphia. That brings the number of confirmed cases to 85,795. In addition, the Department of Public Health also announced 33 new probable cases from rapid antigen tests. Today’s case count represents totals for three days, since new cases were last reported on Friday, December 18.

The Department of Public Health confirmed five additional fatalities in Philadelphia. This brings the number of residents who have succumbed to the virus in Philadelphia to 2,223. Of the 2,223 total deaths, 971 (44%) were long-term care facility residents.

The Department of Public Health reports 844 patients with COVID-19 are currently being treated in Philadelphia hospitals, with a total of 128 on ventilators.

“More Than Just a Sticker” Video Chronicles Black Doctors COVID-19 Consortium’s First COVID Vaccines: Last week, the Black Doctors COVID-19 Consortium began receiving their COVID vaccinations, as they are health care workers and have been prioritized to receive the vaccine in Phase 1a. The Philadelphia Department of Public Health was on scene, and captured a moving video of Dr. Ala Stanford’s reaction to receiving the vaccine. This short video provides a raw, unfiltered view of what it’s like to be vaccinated for COVID-19 after nine months of working to defeat the virus. The video can be made available for reposting and sharing upon request and can be found on the Department of Public Health’s YouTube page.

Food Site Update: Due to the holidays, the regular schedule for many upcoming food and meal distributions has changed.

The School District of Philadelphia will be closed for food distribution on Friday, December 25. Students and caregivers can instead pick up student meals for the week on Wednesday, December 23 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Meal sites can be found at phila.gov/food.

Many of the weekly food distribution sites will be closed on Thursday, December 24 and Thursday, December 31. Families can instead pick up food at one of 70+ distributions between December 21 and December 30, thanks to support from Share Food Program and Philabundance.

For information about food pantries and other food resources, families can visit phila.gov/food or call 311 for assistance.

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.

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