PHILADELPHIA – The Philadelphia Department of Public Health today announced 418 additional confirmed cases of COVID-19 novel coronavirus in Philadelphia. That brings the number of confirmed cases to 118,186. In addition, the Department of Public Health also announced 142 new probable cases from rapid antigen tests.
The Department of Public Health confirmed six additional fatalities in Philadelphia. This brings the number of residents who have succumbed to the virus in Philadelphia to 3,223. Of the 3,223 total deaths, 1,173 (36%) were long-term care facility residents.
The Department of Public Health reports 266 patients with COVID-19 are currently being treated in Philadelphia hospitals, with a total of 25 on ventilators.
COVID-19 Vaccine Information Champions Training Begins Tomorrow: A Vaccine Champion is a trusted messenger trained to deliver accurate information about the vaccine to their peers. These trainings are a 90-minute multilingual session that covers a variety of topics related to the COVID-19 vaccine. The first sessions will take place tomorrow, Thursday, March 18 and will be available via Zoom in English, Spanish, and Mandarin. Individuals can choose the session that works best for them based on language using the list of events available on phila.gov/phillycounts. After March 18, additional weekly sessions will be open to the public.
vybe Urgent Care and Independence Blue Cross Vaccination Clinic Opens: Yesterday, approved vaccine provider vybe Urgent Care opened their first clinic providing vaccine to Phase 1a and 1b eligible Philadelphians. The clinic is being held at Independence LIVE (1919 Market Street). Appointments for the general public are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Walk-ins will not be accepted. Independence and vybe will also be reaching out to eligible members/patients in Philadelphia to schedule them for appointments at Independence LIVE. Philadelphia residents who are eligible to get the COVID-19 vaccine can make an appointment at Independence LIVE by visiting www.vybe.care or by calling 215-999-3715.
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) 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.
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.
- Complete the COVID-19 Vaccine Interest Form (for individuals) or the Workforce COVID-19 Vaccine Planning Form (for employers).
- 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.