PHILADELPHIA – The Philadelphia Department of Public Health today announced 1,551 additional confirmed cases of COVID-19 novel coronavirus in Philadelphia. That brings the number of confirmed cases to 126,059. In addition, the Department of Public Health also announced 50 new probable cases from rapid antigen tests. Today’s case count represents totals for four days, since new cases were last reported on Thursday, April 1.

 

The Department of Public Health confirmed three additional fatalities in Philadelphia. This brings the number of residents who have succumbed to the virus in Philadelphia to 3,285. Of the 3,285 total deaths, 1,181 (36%) were long-term care facility residents.

The Department of Public Health reports 470 patients with COVID-19 are currently being treated in Philadelphia hospitals, with a total of 51 on ventilators.

City Moves to Philadelphia Phase 1c: As announced last week, the City of Philadelphia moved to Philadelphia Phase 1c starting today, Monday, April 5. Similar to how Philadelphia Phase 1b went into force, four specific groups within the Philadelphia Phase 1c priority list will be prioritized before the other groups in Phase 1c. The Health Department has asked vaccine providers, including pharmacies, to allow these prioritized groups to set appointments. These first four groups are:

  • Sanitation workers
  • Maintenance and janitorial staff
  • Utility workers
  • Postal and package delivery workers

Previously prioritized groups in Philadelphia Phase 1a and 1b are still eligible and are encouraged to seek out vaccination opportunities. Other groups prioritized in Philadelphia Phase 1c, including those in higher education, public-facing finance roles, transportation (including airport and train workers, and taxi and rideshare workers), construction, telecommunications and IT, the press, the legal industry, and public health workers will be made eligible later in April.

As announced previously, the Health Department is strongly encouraging everyone over the age of 65 to be vaccinated as soon as possible, to protect the most vulnerable people during this time of rapidly-rising Covid case rates. The City has notified vaccine providers throughout the city of this recommendation and asked them to do everything they can to vaccinate this vulnerable group.

City Announces Phase 4 of COVID-19 Emergency Rental & Utility Assistance Program: The City of Philadelphia today announced PHLRentAssist Phase 4, the newest phase of the City’s COVID-19 Emergency Rental and Utility Assistance Program. The program is aimed to help people pay their rent and utilities who have lost income or had an increase in expenses because of COVID-19. Previous phases did not include utilities, only rent. PHDC, the City’s housing and community development non-profit, is administering the program. View more details in this press release. 

For more information and to apply, eligible tenants can begin applying today at phlrentassist.org or call 311. 

City of Philadelphia Latino Roundtable: Tomorrow, April 6, 2021, the City of Philadelphia will host its first Latino Roundtable Discussion in Spanish about COVID-19 vaccination for Hispanic communities. A panel of experts that will provide information about the City’s vaccination efforts and key information for Hispanic/Latino, immigrant and LEP communities. 

The panel is comprised of four experts in health, immigration, community and City’s services:

  • Dr. Laura Hribar MD, MPH, Philadelphia Department of Public Health,
  • Hector Ayala MHS, HS-BCP, Hispanic Community Services Counseling, 
  • Steven Larin, Esq.,  Immigration Attorney, and
  • Joanna Otero-Cruz, Deputy Managing Director

Members of the public can register here:  bit.ly/CityLatinoRoundtable 

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:

Resources for Media:

COVID-19 press releases.

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