PHILADELPHIA – The Philadelphia Department of Public Health today announced 700 additional confirmed cases of COVID-19 novel coronavirus in Philadelphia. That brings the number of confirmed cases to 126,759. In addition, the Department of Public Health also announced 210 new probable cases from rapid antigen tests. 

The Department of Public Health confirmed eight additional fatalities in Philadelphia. This brings the number of residents who have succumbed to the virus in Philadelphia to 3,293. Of the 3,293 total deaths, 1,182 (36%) were long-term care facility residents.

The Department of Public Health reports 490 patients with COVID-19 are currently being treated in Philadelphia hospitals, with a total of 52 on ventilators.

Philadelphia Phase 1c expansion and opening: Health Commissioner Dr. Thomas Farley today announced that all groups within Phase 1c will become fully eligible to be vaccinated on Monday, April 12. Phase 1c began yesterday, April 5, but is currently open to a small subset of four groups within 1c: Sanitation workers, maintenance and janitorial staff, utility workers and postal and package delivery workers. That limitation will end next Monday, when vaccinations open to all groups within 1c.

In addition, Dr. Farley announced that the following groups are going to be added to Philadelphia Phase 1c when it opens on Monday, April 12:

  • People receiving home and community-based services as defined by the PA Deptartment of Human Services
  • Landscaping workers
  • Government workers
  • Elections workers
  • Social services workers
  • Unpaid caregivers of medically vulnerable people

Again, the entire Philadelphia Phase 1c group will become fully eligible to be vaccinated on Monday, April 12. In addition to the current and newly added groups listed above, workers who cannot work remotely in the following industries will become eligible:

  • Higher education staff
  • Finance: public facing, non-remote positions in the finance industry
  • Transportation workers such as airport and train workers and taxi or rideshare drivers
  • Construction workers
  • IT & telecommunications workers
  • Members of the press
  • Legal industry
  • Public health workers

Individuals in groups that were categorized in Phases 1a and 1b also remain eligible to receive vaccinations.

Philadelphia Phase 2 eligibility date announced: The City of Philadelphia will be moving to Phase 2 of the COVID-19 vaccine roll-out on Monday, April 19. Previously, the City had said it would open to Phase 2 by May 1, in accordance with President Biden’s directive. This change means that on April 19, every Philadelphian over the age of 16 will be eligible to receive COVID-19 vaccine. However, the Health Commissioner cautioned that not everyone who is eligible will be able to get vaccinated right away due to limited supply. In light of the ongoing high case counts, the Health Department strongly recommends everyone over the age of 65 get vaccinated as quickly as possible.

Walk-up Wednesday’s at Health Department Health Centers: In order to facilitate vaccinating as many Philadelphians over the age of 65, the Health Department announced the opening of three walk-up clinics at Health Centers. Beginning Wednesday, April 7, the following Health Centers will hold walk-up hours between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.

  • Health Center 3 Annex, 4219 Chester Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19104
  • Berks Street Annex (Health Center 5), 2001 West Berks Street, Philadelphia, PA 19121
  • Health Center 10, East Side Courtyard entrance, 2230 Cottman Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19149

These clinics are open to Philadelphia residents over the age of 65 and will be able to vaccinate 50 people each per day using the Johnson & Johnson single-dose COVID-19 vaccine.

Phase 4 of COVID-19 Emergency Rental & Utility Assistance Program Now Open: The City of Philadelphia yesterday announced the launch of 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. For more information and to apply, visit phlrentassist.org or call 311.

Guidance for Remote Work: In light of recently revised guidance from the Wolf Administration regarding remote work, the City of Philadelphia today clarified that it currently allows office businesses to have up to 2 persons per 1,000 square feet — as long as people wear masks anytime there is more than one person in a room. 

“The bottom line is that we still recommend that people who can work from home continue to do so,” said Dr. Farley. “As more people are vaccinated in the coming weeks, the City is working with partners to prepare companies and employees so that when we can start returning to the office, they are ready to do so safely and efficiently.”

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:

 

###