PHILADELPHIA – The Philadelphia Department of Public Health today reported an additional 24,627 doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered in Philadelphia since last reported on Monday, November 22. This brings the total number of fully vaccinated Philadelphians to at least 927,507, and the number of Philadelphians with at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine to at least 1,155,953. Currently, 74.7 percent of Philadelphia adults are fully vaccinated, and 93.1 percent of Philadelphia adults have received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine.

All residents ages five and older are eligible to be vaccinated in Philadelphia. Nine percent of 5-to-11-year-olds in Philadelphia have received at least one vaccine dose. Among eligible Philadelphians ages 12 and older, 69.2 percent are fully vaccinated, and 86.2 percent have received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine.

The Department of Health reports 221 patients with COVID-19 are currently being treated in Philadelphia hospitals, with a total of 29 on ventilators.

In the last two weeks, 3.7 percent of COVID-19 tests in Philadelphia have come back positive. Thus far during the pandemic, 176,153 Philadelphians have been diagnosed with COVID-19, and 4,074 have succumbed to the virus. Philadelphia is averaging 253 new cases of COVID-19 per day over the last two weeks.

Health Department Watching for COVID-19 Omicron Variant: Following reports that a COVID-19 variant called Omicron is spreading around the globe, the Philadelphia Department of Public Health has been monitoring the situation and working with the CDC to learn more about what to expect. There have been NO cases of the Omicron variant identified in Philadelphia.

The Omicron variant has mutations that could make it spread more easily. Early research is showing that people who have had COVID-19 infection, but who have not yet been vaccinated, might be at a greater danger as the World Health Organization says that Omicron causes more reinfections than previous COVID-19 variants. Researchers around the world are working to see how vaccination affects this new strain.

The Health Department continues to strongly urge residents to get vaccinated and take precautions to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Based on existing evidence, it appears that the vaccines will maintain at least some degree of protection from Omicron, particularly for people who have had booster shots. Masking and avoiding crowded indoor spaces will be important over the next few weeks, both because cases are increasing in the Philadelphia area and because of concerns about this new variant.

  • If you do go to public indoor spaces such as shopping malls, choose less crowded times and opt for malls and stores with mask requirements.
  • Consider double masking with a cloth mask over a paper mask for better protection, or choose a well-fitted N95 mask.
  • If you are not yet fully vaccinated or have not yet had your booster shot, make an appointment now. See vaccines.gov or phila.gov/covid for details or call 215 685-5488 for assistance.

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