PHILADELPHIA – The Philadelphia Department of Public Health today announced 367 additional confirmed cases of COVID-19 novel coronavirus in Philadelphia. That brings the number of confirmed cases to 102,901. In addition, the Department of Public Health also announced 52 new probable cases from rapid antigen tests.
The Department of Public Health confirmed 28 additional fatalities in Philadelphia. This brings the number of residents who have succumbed to the virus in Philadelphia to 2,786. Of the 2,786 total deaths, 1,072 (38%) were long-term care facility residents.
The Department of Public Health reports 499 patients with COVID-19 are currently being treated in Philadelphia hospitals, with a total of 82 on ventilators.
COVID-19 Vaccine Interest Form: The City has launched the COVID-19 Vaccine Interest Form, which residents can use to notify the Department of Public Health that they want to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Residents are encouraged to provide contact information and some limited personal information on the City’s website—phila.gov/vaccineinterest—which is available in English and Spanish. Those who complete the interest form will be contacted later by the Department of Public Health or one of the City’s vaccine partners when they can schedule an appointment. The information collected on this form is protected, using the same level of security as other health information maintained by the Department of Public Health, and is completely secure.
Due to extremely limited vaccine supply at this time, residents cannot set appointments using this website. Furthermore, it may take weeks or months before residents will be able to schedule appointments. However, by registering on the phila.gov/vaccineinterest website, residents can ensure that they will be notified when the vaccine becomes available to them.
Press Access to COVID-19 Vaccine: The Department of Public Health has clarified that members of the media are included in the Phase 1c IT and Telecommunications sub-group. If any members of the media wish to express their interest in being vaccinated, they should select that when completing the COVID-19 Vaccine Interest Form at phila.gov/vaccineinterest.
Philadelphia COVID-19 Restaurant and Gym Relief Program: The City and PIDC today announced the Philadelphia COVID-19 Restaurant and Gym Relief Program, a $12 million grant program designed to provide financial relief to small businesses located in Philadelphia that have been among the most adversely affected by the latest round of pandemic-related restrictions enacted in November 2020. The online application for the program, which will be available at phila.gov/RGRP, will open at 11 a.m. on Thursday, January 28. Applications will be accepted until 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, February 9.
Grant awards are estimated to be up to $15,000 per business. If approved for a grant, businesses may use the funds as needed to continue operating, including for rent or payroll. Investments in outdoor winterization, improvements in indoor ventilation, and other COVID-related indoor physical space expenses or personal protective equipment (PPE) purchases are also encouraged. Learn more about program details and eligibility in this press release.
Approved Weekend Street Closures for Outdoor Dining (January 22-24): In June, the City launched four options for restaurants to operate outdoor dining in order to earn much needed revenue. To see this weekend’s approved street closures, view this blog. Vehicular traffic should avoid these streets.
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 how to comply with the City’s restrictions 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.