PHILADELPHIA – The Philadelphia Department of Public Health today announced 242 additional confirmed cases of COVID-19 novel coronavirus in Philadelphia. That brings the number of confirmed cases to 111,835. In addition, the Department of Public Health also announced 56 new probable cases from rapid antigen tests. 

The Department of Public Health confirmed 15 additional fatalities in Philadelphia. This brings the number of residents who have succumbed to the virus in Philadelphia to 3,056. Of the 3,056 total deaths, 1,136 (37%) were long-term care facility residents.

The Department of Public Health reports 299 patients with COVID-19 are currently being treated in Philadelphia hospitals, with a total of 49 on ventilators.

A total of 247,167 doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered in Philadelphia and 82,439 individuals have been fully vaccinated. The latest updates on vaccine distribution are available here.

Emergency Use & Occupancy Tax Regulation: Yesterday, February 18, the Department of Revenue published an updated emergency regulation aimed at providing Philadelphia restaurants and bars with additional relief during the COVID-19 pandemic. For restaurants and bars subject to capacity limitations, this regulation exempts a percentage of the dining room space from Use & Occupancy Tax. The exemption is based on the allowable percent capacity for the square footage of the business used for indoor dining (dining room space) during the period when the Philadelphia Department of Public Health limits indoor dining. For Use & Occupancy Tax purposes, 25 percent of the restaurant’s indoor dining room space will be subject to Use & Occupancy Tax. Restaurants that qualify for higher occupancy rates of 50 percent are subject to 50 percent Use & Occupancy Tax for the indoor dining room. This regulation is effective immediately and remains in effect while the Philadelphia Department of Public Health limits occupancy for restaurants and bars. 

FEMA Site 1 Vaccination Clinic Announced: The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Health and Human Services (HHS), Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA), and the City of Philadelphia, announced today that they have partnered to open a COVID-19 vaccination site at the Pennsylvania Convention Center. The site could open as early as March 3, 2021.

FEMA and federal partners will support this site through staffing, operations, logistics and vaccine allocations. The Philadelphia site, like other federally supported sites across the country, was selected based on data analysis including the CDC’s Social Vulnerability Index and other Census data, as well as input from our state and local partners. The Philadelphia site could have a vaccination throughput of several thousand doses per day once at maximum operating capacity and would come with its own vaccination allocation in addition to what the City of Philadelphia already receives.

“I am excited to see the federal government continue to step up to the plate and support us to help protect every Philadelphian,” said Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney. “Every city in the country, including Philadelphia, is currently struggling with not having enough COVID vaccine to meet the demand of their residents, so this center will make a huge difference. We look forward to seeing this COVID-19 Vaccination Center join our system of vaccine distribution channels which includes community clinics, hospitals, neighborhood-based health centers, pharmacies, mobile sites and more. It’s a key step to recovery and getting our city that much closer back to normal. The partnerships with our state and federal partners have been strong throughout this response to allow us to address the needs of Philadelphians. We’re looking forward to getting past COVID-19 and these historic challenges, together.”

Ensuring vulnerable and under-served populations have access to vaccines was a priority in the site selection process. The Pennsylvania Convention Center’s central location, accessibility by public transportation, logistics capability, large size, and existing city contracts in support of vaccination operations made it a logical choice for the first federally operated site in Pennsylvania. FEMA and other federal agencies will provide clinical and support staff for the site, freeing the City of Philadelphia up to focus staff and resource on vaccination efforts in neighborhoods throughout the city.

Health Commissioner Dr. Thomas Farley said, “Our three goals for distributing vaccine have always been: do it fast, do it so it saves the most lives, and do it equitably. With FEMA agreeing to place a Vaccination Center in Philadelphia we can administer vaccines faster, and by holding it at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, in a central location near multiple public transit lines, we can ensure that many of our highest risk residents and people of all backgrounds can get easy, equitable access. A FEMA Vaccination Center will be a great addition to our comprehensive, citywide vaccine distribution system which already includes hospitals, federally qualified health centers, pharmacies, and community partners.”

Specific details on opening date and registration process are forthcoming.

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 Vaccine Interest Forms: The City has launched two forms to help Philadelphians register their interest in receiving a COVID-19 vaccine. These forms are not for registering for an appointment, but will tell the Department of Public Health how to contact you when you are eligible and vaccine is available for you.

  • Members of the public are encouraged to register using the COVID-19 Vaccine Interest Form. The form is available in English, Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese, and French. Individuals who do not have access to the internet can contact Philly311 (dial 3-1-1) or call the Department of Public Health’s COVID Call Center at 215-685-5488 for help completing the interest form.
  • Employers are encouraged to complete the Workforce COVID-19 Vaccine Planning Form. Employers that complete this form will be contacted to help set up opportunities to vaccinate their prioritized staff when they are eligible and vaccine is available. 

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